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ANIMATIONWorld Magazine

Celebrating Human Connection ANIMATIONWorld

‘Whale 52’ Sings a Song of Hope for the Lonely

Indie animation legend Bill Plympton’s latest short film, directed by Emmy-winning actor Daniel Neiden and starring Bruce Vilanch, tells the emotional and uplifting story of an aging widower, a school volunteer, working with a young selective mute boy, who connect through a written journal and the true legend of the ‘loneliest’ whale.  

Spanning the Globe to Bring You the Variety of Animation ANIMATIONWorld

Exploring the World of Animation in ‘The Animation Atlas’

Columnist Andrew Osmond interviews ‘Ghibliotheque’ podcasters Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham about their new book that travels the globe to dig deep into the medium (hint - it’s not a genre.)

It’s Anime-zing! ANIMATIONWorld

The ‘Uncontrollable’ Art of ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’

Ufotable director Haruo Sotozaki and DOP Yuichi Terao discuss how their work on the hugely successful, Golden Globe-nominated animated film was meaningless unless they could tap into the maximum level of emotion and deep feeling a character would express and bring that onto the screen for the audience.

Supporting Diversity in Animated Storytelling ANIMATIONWorld

National Film Board of Canada EP Christine Noël on ‘The Girl Who Cried Pearls’ and Shaping the Future of Animation

The Executive Producer reflects on acclaimed projects like Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s new film, her support for diverse creators, and her efforts to sustain the NFB’s legacy of innovation through a collaborative production model that continues to achieve major festival and awards success.

Pushing the 2D Envelope ANIMATIONWorld

Breaking the Rig with ‘Bat-Fam’ and ‘Blood and Bamboo’

For director Mike Roth and animation director Garrett Ray, getting the most from your 2D animation means you can’t limit yourself to what the rigs are capable of – you have to force them to get the result you’re after.

A Walrus and a Plant Walk into a Bar ANIMATIONWorld

A Walrus Taxi Driver and a Talking Plant: The Baku Kinoshita Interview

Columnist Andrew Osmond talks to the director about his 2 acclaimed anime, the TV series ‘Odd Taxi’ and his new film, ‘The Last Blossom.’

Visions of Awesome Anime ANIMATIONWorld

The Sequels of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Volume 3 Carry on a Key Franchise Tradition

‘The Duel: Payback,’ ‘The Lost Ones,’ and ‘The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope’ deftly expand upon characters and storylines established in Volume 1, carefully animated in mixed 2D and 3D by anime studios Kamikaze Douga and ANIMA, Production I.G, and Kinema citrus Co.

KPop Goes the Demon! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ – Beauty in Broken Glass

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ hit animated musical about a trio of women battling against a band of demons intent on taking over the world presents big ideas with a deceptively light touch; its gorgeously accessible imagery and brisk toe-tapping pace are as catchy as the lyrics of its songs.

Who Isn’t Inspired by MST3K? ANIMATIONWorld

Shorts in Focus: John Gardner’s ‘What’s Locked Behind That Door?’

By Dan Sarto | Monday, December 1, 2025 at 11:02am

Combining rotoscoped public domain footage from the 1962 cult classic ‘The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’ with original 2D/3D animation, the music video presents a surreal meditation on psychological concealment.

The Igiby Family Saga Continues ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Wingfeather Saga’ Fan-Fueled World Continues Its Impressive Journey

By Dan Sarto | Monday, November 24, 2025 at 1:50pm

With the November 12 debut of Season 3 along with its recent acquisition by Angel Studios, the animated series from Shining Isle Productions, which crowdfunded more than $8.2 million, keeps captivating audiences with epic storytelling as it moves full steam ahead producing Season 4 for release in 2026.

F**k More S**t Up! ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Mighty Nein’ Cast Unpacks Their Characters’ Motives and Mental Health

Critical Role founders / show EPs Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Liam O'Brien, Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, and showrunner Tasha Huo talk the dark, insecure, and unstable characters that make the new series so compelling; now streaming on Prime Video.

Oh Bother! Headline News

Livingston Taylor Joins ‘Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends’ as Winnie the Pooh

The celebrated folk singer will perform a live song from the upcoming Kartoon Studios animated series at a table read following sneak peek showing on December 16 at the Chinese Theatre.

On the Road to the Oscars Headline News

Academy Announces Shortlists in 10 Categories for 98th Oscars

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:56am

VFX category narrowed down to 10 films, animated shorts to 15; voting for nominations runs next month, January 12-16, with nomination announcements set for January 22, 2026.

Generative AI for Creators Headline News

Adobe Firefly Introduces New AI Video Tools, Partner Models

New Prompt to Edit controls allow users to make precise edits and remove details from generated content using text; video upscaling with Topaz Astra added; the full beta of Firefly video editor has also launched.

Making Beauty from Chaos Headline News

Chaos Delivers Maya, Houdini, Real-Time Rendering and AI Tools to Blender

New V-Ray updates include a host of new features and functionality that aim to accelerate playblasts, previs, and lookdev for professional VFX and animation teams.

Not Onions! Headline News

Tiny Chef Takes Over the California Academy of Sciences

Opening this past Saturday, the new planetarium film and exhibit celebrates regeneration and climate action through the beloved character’s whimsical felted lens.

He Animated Tigger! Headline News

Andreas Deja’s Award-Winning ‘Mushka’ Now Streaming

By Dan Sarto | Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10:17am

Now out on all major VOD platforms, the Disney Legend’s 28-minute hand-drawn animated short, nearly a decade in the making, tells the heartwarming story of a young Ukrainian girl who must decide to save or leave in the wild an orphaned Siberian tiger cub she discovers. 

Heading to NY Next February Headline News

Exclusive: 2026 Animation First Festival Announces Full Program

The biggest animation festival in the U.S. sets its upcoming slate; Cannes Award winner ‘Dandelion’s Odyssey’ by Momoko Seto to screen opening night; talk with Oscar-winning sound designer Nicolas Becker also revealed; event runs this coming February 3-8 with a focus on Belgian films.

He Animated Tigger! Headline News

Join Andreas Deja at ‘Mushka’ Streaming Launch Party on December 15

Enter the free raffle to snag your spot at the upcoming gathering in Burbank celebrating the global VOD release of the iconic Disney legend’s directorial debut – and win a day pass to CTNX 2026 as well.

More Opportunities to Get Vertical Headline News

WEBTOON Announces 2026 Creator Program Expansion

A new suite of programs will empower more Creators with expanded monetization opportunities and international creator engagement; Creator Residency will roll out in 2026.

We Love MetaHuman Innovations Headline News

Quentin Tarantino and Unreal Engine Bring ‘Kill Bill’s Lost Chapter to Life in Fortnite

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 3:24pm

The Oscar-winning director’s long-rumored sequence, ‘The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge,’ comes alive as Epic Games and The Third Floor use UE’s virtual production and MetaHuman tools to merge live-action, animation, and interactivity in real-time for a ground-breaking cinematic experience.

From Horror Survival Game to Animation Headline News

tinyBuild Releases ‘Hello Neighbor: Welcome to Raven Brooks’ Animated Series

In addition to YouTube, Seasons 1 and 2 of the horror survival video game adaptation are available on Prime Video in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia; other IP ventures include the upcoming ‘Hello Neighbor’ feature film and ‘Hello Neighbor 3’ video game.

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The Sun Does Come Up Again ANIMATIONWorld

‘Snow Bear’: How Aaron Blaise Lost Love, Then Found It Again

The famed former Disney animator and ‘Brother Bear’ director channeled the tragic 2007 loss of his wife into his award-winning hand-drawn 2D short film about a lonely polar bear’s quest to find, and eventually make, a friend… until the weather warms up.

Spanning the Globe to Bring You the Variety of Animation ANIMATIONWorld

Exploring the World of Animation in ‘The Animation Atlas’

Columnist Andrew Osmond interviews ‘Ghibliotheque’ podcasters Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham about their new book that travels the globe to dig deep into the medium (hint - it’s not a genre.)

It’s Anime-zing! ANIMATIONWorld

The ‘Uncontrollable’ Art of ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’

Ufotable director Haruo Sotozaki and DOP Yuichi Terao discuss how their work on the hugely successful, Golden Globe-nominated animated film was meaningless unless they could tap into the maximum level of emotion and deep feeling a character would express and bring that onto the screen for the audience.

Supporting Diversity in Animated Storytelling ANIMATIONWorld

National Film Board of Canada EP Christine Noël on ‘The Girl Who Cried Pearls’ and Shaping the Future of Animation

The Executive Producer reflects on acclaimed projects like Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s new film, her support for diverse creators, and her efforts to sustain the NFB’s legacy of innovation through a collaborative production model that continues to achieve major festival and awards success.

Pushing the 2D Envelope ANIMATIONWorld

Breaking the Rig with ‘Bat-Fam’ and ‘Blood and Bamboo’

For director Mike Roth and animation director Garrett Ray, getting the most from your 2D animation means you can’t limit yourself to what the rigs are capable of – you have to force them to get the result you’re after.

A Walrus and a Plant Walk into a Bar ANIMATIONWorld

A Walrus Taxi Driver and a Talking Plant: The Baku Kinoshita Interview

Columnist Andrew Osmond talks to the director about his 2 acclaimed anime, the TV series ‘Odd Taxi’ and his new film, ‘The Last Blossom.’

Visions of Awesome Anime ANIMATIONWorld

The Sequels of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Volume 3 Carry on a Key Franchise Tradition

‘The Duel: Payback,’ ‘The Lost Ones,’ and ‘The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope’ deftly expand upon characters and storylines established in Volume 1, carefully animated in mixed 2D and 3D by anime studios Kamikaze Douga and ANIMA, Production I.G, and Kinema citrus Co.

KPop Goes the Demon! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ – Beauty in Broken Glass

Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ hit animated musical about a trio of women battling against a band of demons intent on taking over the world presents big ideas with a deceptively light touch; its gorgeously accessible imagery and brisk toe-tapping pace are as catchy as the lyrics of its songs.

Who Isn’t Inspired by MST3K? ANIMATIONWorld

Shorts in Focus: John Gardner’s ‘What’s Locked Behind That Door?’

By Dan Sarto | Monday, December 1, 2025 at 11:02am

Combining rotoscoped public domain footage from the 1962 cult classic ‘The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’ with original 2D/3D animation, the music video presents a surreal meditation on psychological concealment.

The Igiby Family Saga Continues ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Wingfeather Saga’ Fan-Fueled World Continues Its Impressive Journey

By Dan Sarto | Monday, November 24, 2025 at 1:50pm

With the November 12 debut of Season 3 along with its recent acquisition by Angel Studios, the animated series from Shining Isle Productions, which crowdfunded more than $8.2 million, keeps captivating audiences with epic storytelling as it moves full steam ahead producing Season 4 for release in 2026.

F**k More S**t Up! ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Mighty Nein’ Cast Unpacks Their Characters’ Motives and Mental Health

Critical Role founders / show EPs Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Liam O'Brien, Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, and showrunner Tasha Huo talk the dark, insecure, and unstable characters that make the new series so compelling; now streaming on Prime Video.

Oh Bother! Headline News

Livingston Taylor Joins ‘Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends’ as Winnie the Pooh

The celebrated folk singer will perform a live song from the upcoming Kartoon Studios animated series at a table read following sneak peek showing on December 16 at the Chinese Theatre.

On the Road to the Oscars Headline News

Academy Announces Shortlists in 10 Categories for 98th Oscars

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:56am

VFX category narrowed down to 10 films, animated shorts to 15; voting for nominations runs next month, January 12-16, with nomination announcements set for January 22, 2026.

Generative AI for Creators Headline News

Adobe Firefly Introduces New AI Video Tools, Partner Models

New Prompt to Edit controls allow users to make precise edits and remove details from generated content using text; video upscaling with Topaz Astra added; the full beta of Firefly video editor has also launched.

Making Beauty from Chaos Headline News

Chaos Delivers Maya, Houdini, Real-Time Rendering and AI Tools to Blender

New V-Ray updates include a host of new features and functionality that aim to accelerate playblasts, previs, and lookdev for professional VFX and animation teams.

Not Onions! Headline News

Tiny Chef Takes Over the California Academy of Sciences

Opening this past Saturday, the new planetarium film and exhibit celebrates regeneration and climate action through the beloved character’s whimsical felted lens.

He Animated Tigger! Headline News

Andreas Deja’s Award-Winning ‘Mushka’ Now Streaming

By Dan Sarto | Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10:17am

Now out on all major VOD platforms, the Disney Legend’s 28-minute hand-drawn animated short, nearly a decade in the making, tells the heartwarming story of a young Ukrainian girl who must decide to save or leave in the wild an orphaned Siberian tiger cub she discovers. 

Heading to NY Next February Headline News

Exclusive: 2026 Animation First Festival Announces Full Program

The biggest animation festival in the U.S. sets its upcoming slate; Cannes Award winner ‘Dandelion’s Odyssey’ by Momoko Seto to screen opening night; talk with Oscar-winning sound designer Nicolas Becker also revealed; event runs this coming February 3-8 with a focus on Belgian films.

He Animated Tigger! Headline News

Join Andreas Deja at ‘Mushka’ Streaming Launch Party on December 15

Enter the free raffle to snag your spot at the upcoming gathering in Burbank celebrating the global VOD release of the iconic Disney legend’s directorial debut – and win a day pass to CTNX 2026 as well.

More Opportunities to Get Vertical Headline News

WEBTOON Announces 2026 Creator Program Expansion

A new suite of programs will empower more Creators with expanded monetization opportunities and international creator engagement; Creator Residency will roll out in 2026.

We Love MetaHuman Innovations Headline News

Quentin Tarantino and Unreal Engine Bring ‘Kill Bill’s Lost Chapter to Life in Fortnite

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 3:24pm

The Oscar-winning director’s long-rumored sequence, ‘The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge,’ comes alive as Epic Games and The Third Floor use UE’s virtual production and MetaHuman tools to merge live-action, animation, and interactivity in real-time for a ground-breaking cinematic experience.

From Horror Survival Game to Animation Headline News

tinyBuild Releases ‘Hello Neighbor: Welcome to Raven Brooks’ Animated Series

In addition to YouTube, Seasons 1 and 2 of the horror survival video game adaptation are available on Prime Video in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia; other IP ventures include the upcoming ‘Hello Neighbor’ feature film and ‘Hello Neighbor 3’ video game.

Pages