Category: Animation

Animation, Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

Jennifer Lee on Ushering in the Future While Honoring the Past with ‘Wish’

Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Wish is a momentous celebration for many reasons. The 62nd animated musical, which commemorates Disney’s 100th anniversary, centers on the legend of the wishing star while utilizing a hybrid of watercolor styles and CG animation. And Disney animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee wants audiences never to forget that a dream is a wish that your heart makes, and that Wish is an ode to see the greatest possibilities of who we can be.

Continue reading “Jennifer Lee on Ushering in the Future While Honoring the Past with ‘Wish’”
Animation, MoviesLeave a comment

Learn What Goes into Making Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Wish’

Michael Lee

Wishing is a common theme for almost all Disney protagonists with dreams of wanting something better. That thematic legacy goes as far back as 1937, when Snow White was first released, with the star element being added later to the iconic Pinocchio song “When You Wish Upon a Star” — a song that became an icon of the company itself and used in the present day openings.

Continue reading “Learn What Goes into Making Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Wish’”
Animation, Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

‘Wish’ Producers Discuss Bringing Julia Michaels to Write Seven Songs

Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Wish is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. And with good reason. Just in time to celebrate the studio’s 100th anniversary, Wish is a hybrid of two different animation styles. The 2D watercolor techniques combine with modern CG technology. And it creates for a unique look that has been tested many times through their shorts.

Continue reading “‘Wish’ Producers Discuss Bringing Julia Michaels to Write Seven Songs”
Animation, MoviesLeave a comment

Discover the Origins of the Wishing Star Through Animation and Song in ‘Wish’ Trailer

Michael Lee

Walt Disney’s animated musicals are built upon a legacy of rich innovation, resonating storytelling, and heartfelt songs. So for Wish, its 62nd feature, which also celebrates the studio’s 100 anniversary, Disney veteran director Chris Buck and first-time director Fawn Veerasunthorn, using a script written by Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore, are delivering audiences a celebration of the visual storytelling medium. Now a new trailer gives us a better look at how 2D watercolor techniques and 3D animation work in tandem to create something that’s a century in the making.

Continue reading “Discover the Origins of the Wishing Star Through Animation and Song in ‘Wish’ Trailer”
Animation, Interview, Movies1 Comment

‘Wish’ Directors on the Power of Making Wishes and Honoring Old and New Animation Techniques

Michael Lee

Disney recently held a special presentation of their forthcoming Wish for a select group of journalists. And we walked away from the experience feeling excited to see generations of visual artistry and wonderful music merging together to commemorate the studio’s 100th anniversary. So it seems fitting that Chris Buck (Tarzan, Frozen) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (story artist for Raya and the Last Dragon) be paired to direct Wish. And we got to talk to Buck and Veerasunthorn about the upcoming film and what it means to celebrate such an occasion.

Continue reading “‘Wish’ Directors on the Power of Making Wishes and Honoring Old and New Animation Techniques”
Animation, Movies1 Comment

‘Wish’ Footage Celebrates Generations of the Classic Disney Animated Musical

Michael Lee

The wishing star is a timeless way to make your dreams come true. It is also the source of visually stunning and recurring thematic magic for almost all Walt Disney Animation Studio features, past and present. So, it only makes sense that Disney would be celebrating its centennial anniversary with Wish. The studio’s 62nd film is an all-new original animated musical that honors when you wish upon a star while blending watercolor techniques and contemporary 3D animation to create a unique look 100 years in the making.

Continue reading “‘Wish’ Footage Celebrates Generations of the Classic Disney Animated Musical”
Animation, Interview, MoviesLeave a comment

‘Elemental’ Director Peter Sohn on Bringing His Personal Story To Life

Michael Lee

Peter Sohn’s Elemental is set in the fictional city of Element City, where anthropomorphic elements of nature: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air co-exist. The story follows Ember (Leah Lewis) a tough, witty, and hot-headed fire element who has trouble controlling her emotions, and Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie), a go-with-the-flow water element who is overly emotional has no trouble expressing his emotions openly.

Continue reading “‘Elemental’ Director Peter Sohn on Bringing His Personal Story To Life”
Animation, News

Mirabel Joins New Meet and Greet at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Michael Lee

Drawers, Floors, Doors, Let’s Go, as Disney is Celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with a magical New Meet & Greet! Beginning today, September 15, 2023, guests can step into a colorful courtyard outside the Casa Madrigal to Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto.

Continue reading “Mirabel Joins New Meet and Greet at Disney’s Magic Kingdom”
Animation, Interview

Getting a Little Looney with the Cast and Producer of ‘Tiny Toons Looniversity’

Mike Manalo

They’re tiny. They’re toony. They’re all a little looney! And they’re now back on Max to make your days a little brighter! That’s right folks, the Tiny Toons are back in Tiny Toons Looniversity!

Continue reading “Getting a Little Looney with the Cast and Producer of ‘Tiny Toons Looniversity’”
Anime, Movies, Trailers

An Alluring Story is Glimpsed in ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Teaser Trailer

Lauren Lola

On July 14, Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Boy and the Heron (or, as it’s called in Japan, How Do You Live?), was released to Japanese cinemas with no marketing for it whatsoever, aside from this poster:

Continue reading “An Alluring Story is Glimpsed in ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Teaser Trailer”
Animation, News

Shanghai Disney Resort Reveals New Look at ‘Zootopia’ Themed Land

Michael Lee

Shanghai Disney Resort has released the first set of new images of Zootopia Themed Land. The latest park expansion will have attractions, foods, and an experience that puts guests into the world of the 2016 film of the same name.

Continue reading “Shanghai Disney Resort Reveals New Look at ‘Zootopia’ Themed Land”
Animation, News

Disneyland to Have Spooky Fun During the Halloween Season

Michael Lee

Things are about to get spooky at the Disneyland Resort and Disneyland California Adventure. The enhancement theme has been hard at work decorating the park with pumpkins and other fall colors. And guests will have plenty of fun celebrating the howl-day with Disney characters and sections all decked out for some spellbinding thrills and eerie chills.

Continue reading “Disneyland to Have Spooky Fun During the Halloween Season”
Animation, Interview, Marvel

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Co-Director Kemp Powers on the Impact of Representation

Michael Lee

Sony Animation Pictures’ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a massive sequel to say the least. As the follow-up to one of the most visually dazzling comic book movies, co-director Kemp Powers had his work cut out for him trying to make the next chapter bigger than its predecessor in story and in animation.

Continue reading “‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Co-Director Kemp Powers on the Impact of Representation”
Animation, Streaming, Trailers

‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ Trailer Teases Frenzied Animation Style and Rocking Music

Michael Lee

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Edgar Wright‘s live-action adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel of the same name, now considered to be a cult classic, is getting the animation treatment from Netflix. The streaming giant has released first trailer Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

Continue reading “‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ Trailer Teases Frenzied Animation Style and Rocking Music”
Anime, Tech

CASETiFY & ‘Chainsaw Man’ Collab Celebrates Pochita and Special Division 4 Devil Hunters

Laura Sirikul

Chainsaw Man fans, rejoice!

There’s a collaboration that, not only celebrates Chainsaw Man, but also is practical to use for every day life. CASETiFY, the popular global tech accessory brand, has teamed up with the equally popular anime series Chainsaw Man.

Continue reading “CASETiFY & ‘Chainsaw Man’ Collab Celebrates Pochita and Special Division 4 Devil Hunters”
Animation, Interview, Movies

Capturing the ‘Ninja Turtles’ Look with ‘Mutant Mayhem’ Cinematographer Kent Seki

Mike Manalo

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is officially in theaters! And if you haven’t seen this one yet, we cannot recommend it enough. It’s spectacular! And part of the reason this one is special is because of how beautiful and charming the movie looks, from it’s wonderful animation style to the filmmakers’ abilities to put some challenging but gorgeous action sequences on screen. And none of that would be possible without the film’s talented cinematographer, Kent Seki!

Continue reading “Capturing the ‘Ninja Turtles’ Look with ‘Mutant Mayhem’ Cinematographer Kent Seki”
Animation, Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Goes Full Turtle Power

Mike Manalo

“Go ninja, go ninja, go!” Those were the immortal words uttered in the finale of arguably the last good movie based on Laird and Eastman’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That may be a controversial statement for fans for the Bay-produced 2014 and 2016 films, the 2007 cheaply animated movie TMNT, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. But as a fan myself, whether for nostalgic or legitimate reasons, nothing ever really topped the first two live action films from 1990 and 1991. Until now.

Continue reading “NOC Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ Goes Full Turtle Power”
Anime, Movies1 Comment

‘The Boy and the Heron’ is an Unnecessary Title Change for Hayao Miyazaki’s Final Film

Lauren Lola

Last Friday, the highly anticipated final film from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki (that is, unless, he decides to come out of retirement again for the umpteenth time), How Do You Live?, was at long last released in Japan. That same day, film distributor GKIDS announced that it had acquired the North American distribution rights for the film, and set it to come out later this year. The big kicker is that it will be released not as How Do You Live?, but under a different title, The Boy and the Heron.

Continue reading “‘The Boy and the Heron’ is an Unnecessary Title Change for Hayao Miyazaki’s Final Film”
Animation, Books, Interview1 Comment

F.C. Yee Talks Exploring a Deliberate Contrast in ‘The Legacy of Yangchen’

Lauren Lola

The Legacy of Yangchen is the latest book in the Chronicles of the Avatar series, and the last of the Yangchen duology. In the aftermath of the events of The Dawn of Yangchen, the airbending Avatar finds herself in the difficult position of having to de-escalate conflicts between heads of states of the Four Nations, in the midst of the threat of a powerful new weapon. To makes things even more difficult for her, she must turn to assistance from Kavik, whom she’s not on good terms, following an act of betrayal by the latter from their previous adventure together.

Continue reading “F.C. Yee Talks Exploring a Deliberate Contrast in ‘The Legacy of Yangchen’”
Anime, Streaming2 Comments

Netflix Celebrates Japanese Content Slate at Anime Expo 2023

Edward Hong

Returning to Anime Expo, North America’s biggest fan event for all things Japanese pop culture, Netflix showcased their diverse slate of upcoming anime and live action adaptations, including fan-favorites like PLUTO or BEASTARS Final Season as well as news and talent appearances for the highly anticipated stop motion series Pokémon Concierge, live action adaptations Zom 100: Bucket list of the Dead and ONE PIECE.

Continue reading “Netflix Celebrates Japanese Content Slate at Anime Expo 2023”