Animation
Ongoing coverage on Animation.
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The animator behind Fox's intro in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been revealed, and they previously worked on…
Animator Benjamin Faure, who previously worked on Jujutsu Kaisen, revealed his involvement as a 3D supervising animator for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, specifically handling the 2D Fox intro sequence. He credited Takaya Imamura for the original Fox McCloud design and noted Shigeru Miyamoto's initial surprise at the potential for a Mario and Star Fox crossover.
Maul – Shadow Lord becomes one of the highest rated Star Wars projects on Rotten Tomatoes
The new animated Star Wars show, Maul – Shadow Lord, has achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 25 reviews, making it one of the highest-rated projects in the franchise. The series picks up after The Clone Wars, following Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal empire and recruit a young apprentice.
Maul – Shadow Lord review: "Sam Witwer gives his strongest Maul performance yet in the most visually striking animated Star Wars show"
Maul – Shadow Lord is a visually striking animated Star Wars series that delves into the character's wrath and vulnerability, featuring a strong vocal performance from Sam Witwer. While the animation is atmospheric and the supporting cast is lively, the development of Maul and Devon's dynamic is slow, and some storylines feel isolated.
Hitch a Ride with Cozy Caravan 🐸
Dean Ferguson, creative lead at 5 Lives Studios, discusses the unique stop-motion-like visuals and animation process for Cozy Caravan. He highlights the game's focus on kindness, relaxation, and the joy of making others happy, and touches on the collaboration with Youtooz for the Bubba plushie.
AI animation studio Toonstar will turn books into digital shows for HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins is partnering with AI animation studio Toonstar to adapt book franchises into digital shows. The first project will be an adaptation of Lisa Greenwald's "Friendship List" series. Toonstar claims its AI technology can produce animated episodes significantly faster and cheaper than traditional methods.
IF YOU SEE A CAT — Festival-Acclaimed Animated VR Film Launches on Steam
The animated VR film "IF YOU SEE A CAT" by Atsushi Wada has launched on Steam, developed by Kodansha VR Labs and published by KOMODO. The film, which explores themes of mental health and family, is available at a limited-time 20% launch discount for compatible VR headsets.
Prime Video's top 10 shows and the 3 you need on your watchlist right now (April 3–April 5)
This guide highlights the top 10 shows currently trending on Prime Video, with a special focus on the top three: Invincible, Scarpetta, and Young Sherlock. The list features a variety of genres including animation, crime drama, and action, with other notable mentions like Fallout and Jury Duty.
Anime Awards 2026 nominees revealed as Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man battle for Film of the Year
Crunchyroll has revealed the nominees for its 10th Anime Awards, with Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man leading the contenders for Film of the Year. Fan voting is now open for the awards, which also feature nominations for popular series like Solo Leveling and Dan Da Dan across various categories including Anime of the Year and Best Animation.
Charlie Day Says What We're All Thinking: Danny DeVito Should Play Wario In The Next Mario Movie
Charlie Day, who voices Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie franchise, has expressed his desire for Danny DeVito to voice Wario in a potential future installment. DeVito himself has previously joked about wanting the role. While Wario was absent from the first two films, the success of the franchise makes a third movie likely, with speculation that Wario could be introduced then.
Xbox’s New PS5 Action Game Port Gets Strong Reviews
South of Midnight, an award-winning action-adventure game originally released for Xbox Series X|S and PC, has launched on PlayStation 5 to strong reviews. The game is praised for its Southern Gothic Folklore-inspired story, unique stop-motion animation style, and engaging combat. It has received multiple awards, including Games for Impact and Outstanding Achievement in Animation.
Films That Failed at the Box Office but Found Lasting Audience Appreciation
This article highlights 15 films that initially failed at the box office but have since gained significant audience appreciation and critical acclaim. These movies, spanning various genres, demonstrate that a film's true legacy can evolve over time, with many becoming beloved cult classics.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie review
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a visually imaginative but ultimately disappointing film that suffers from a lack of stakes and disjointed pacing. Despite strong performances from some cast members like Glen Powell, the movie's dense, rapid-fire presentation and Chris Pratt's flat portrayal of Mario prevent any emotional connection or memorable moments from developing.
Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently 35 on Metacritic and 45% on Rotten Tomatoes
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has received mixed reviews, holding a 35/100 on Metacritic and 45% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the animation is praised, critics found the storyline to be lacking. The film is set to release in cinemas worldwide on April 1st.
AI "upgraded" versions of the 1989 Super Mario Bros. cartoon are airing now on MeTV, and the results…
MeTV is airing AI "upgraded" versions of the 1989 Super Mario Bros. cartoon, which fans have criticized for resulting in overly smooth and lifeless animation. The network is airing all 65 episodes of the show, alongside other animated Mario series, ahead of The Super Mario Bros. Movie release.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie review: "Never quite reaches Galaxy's gravity-defying game heights"
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a creative and energetic sequel that improves upon its predecessor, but suffers from an underdeveloped story and the marginalization of key characters like Rosalina. While Bowser Jr. and Yoshi are strong additions, the film struggles to maintain focus, ultimately falling short of the heights of its source material despite impressive action and animation sequences.
The Super Mario Bros. cartoon is back, but looks really weird thanks to AI
The 1989 cartoon series The Super Mario Bros. Super Show is being re-aired on MeTV Toons, but with noticeable visual alterations due to AI upscaling. The process has smoothed over the animation and in some cases changed character appearances and even the title card to "The Suele Mario Bros. Super Show."
Dave Filoni suggests Maul – Shadow Lord will honor George Lucas' scrapped Star Wars ideas
Lucasfilm boss Dave Filoni stated that the new animated series Maul – Shadow Lord will honor George Lucas' original plans for the character. Filoni discussed his conversations with Lucas about Maul's future, aiming to bring some of those ideas to light. The series is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, featuring Maul rebuilding his criminal syndicate and forming an alliance with a Jedi Padawan.
New TV Series Set to Premiere and Shape the Year Ahead
2026 is set to be a significant year for television, featuring a broad range of new and returning series across various genres. Highlights include Yellowstone spinoff 'The Madison,' revivals of 'Scrubs' and 'Malcolm in the Middle,' final seasons for 'The Boys' and 'Outlander,' and new installments of 'Bridgerton,' 'Euphoria,' and 'Daredevil: Born Again.' The year will also see the premiere of 'Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord' and the highly anticipated Super Bowl LX.
Baobab Studios Acquires Rights to Top Roblox Titles
Baobab Studios, an animation company co-founded by Eric Darnell and Maureen Fan, has acquired the exclusive rights to popular Roblox titles including Natural Disaster Survival, Barry's Prison Run, and Deepwoken. The studio plans to expand these properties into feature-length films and television series, collaborating with the original creators.
If You See a Cat Brings Atsushi Wada’s Festival-Recognized VR Story to Steam on April 2
The VR story 'If You See a Cat' by animator Atsushi Wada is coming to Steam on April 2, 2026, for $19.99. Developed by Komodo, the experience allows players to view the world from the perspective of a cat observing a boy with mental distress, blending animation, film, and interactive storytelling. The project has previously received recognition at film festivals like Venice and Rotterdam.
