Iyanu Scores Three NAACP Image Award Nominations

Posted on January 17, 2026 by admin

Lion Forge Entertainment’s animated series Iyanu has picked up three nominations at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, marking a strong moment for the growing franchise.

The series is nominated for Outstanding Children’s Program and Outstanding Animated Series, while its season-ending movie special, Iyanu: The Age of Wonders, earned a nod for Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special, recognizing writers Roye Okupe and Brandon Easton.

Based on Okupe’s graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder, the series follows a teenage orphan who discovers divine powers tied to the fate of the ancient kingdom of Yorubaland. Drawing heavily from Yoruba culture and mythology, Iyanu has stood out for its world-building and perspective within children’s animation.

The show premiered in 2025 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max and has since built an international audience. A second season is already set to arrive in Spring 2026, continuing Iyanu’s journey as her powers, and the stakes around her: grow.

The 57th NAACP Image Awards will take place on February 28, 2026, with winners announced during the ceremony in Pasadena, California.

Re:ZERO Season 4 Is Officially Set for April 2026, and the Opening Theme Is a Curveball

Posted on January 17, 2026 by admin

After nearly a decade of twists, resets, and emotional damage, Re:ZERO − Starting Life in Another World is gearing up for its next chapter. Season 4 has been officially confirmed to premiere in April 2026, landing right in the middle of the series’ 10th anniversary year.

Alongside the date, the franchise dropped a wave of anniversary updates, including a new digest trailer revisiting key moments from past seasons and a second main trailer for Season 4 featuring brand-new footage. But the detail that’s getting the most attention is the opening theme: “Recollect,” performed by longtime Re:ZERO vocalist Konomi Suzuki, this time joined by Ashnikko.

It’s an unexpected pairing on paper, but one that feels very in-step with where anime music has been heading lately. Suzuki has been part of Re:ZERO since the beginning, while Ashnikko brings a very different, internet-native energy to the mix. The track is produced by Giga and TeddyLoid, a duo known for pushing J-pop and vocaloid-adjacent sounds into darker, heavier territory.

Beyond the new season, the anniversary plans lean hard into fan engagement. The official 10th anniversary site is rolling out quizzes, episode voting, and Q&A projects with the production team. There’s also a first-ever Re:ZERO exhibition scheduled to run in Tokyo this fall, offering a look back at the anime’s decade-long run.
Continue reading →

Bruce Campbell Joins New Animated Holiday Film A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas

Posted on November 20, 2025 by admin

A new animated holiday adventure set in the Hundred Acre Wood is arriving this season, with A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas set to debut on streaming and on-demand platforms November 21. The film features Bruce Campbell in a key voice role, bringing a new interpretation to the classic world inspired by A.A. Milne’s characters.

In the story, Pooh and his friends wake up to find their Christmas presents missing, prompting a winter quest filled with Heffalumps, Woozles, and snowy detours as the group tries to restore the holiday spirit. The film aims to introduce a fresh, contemporary take on the beloved characters while keeping the focus on community, friendship, and seasonal warmth.

The project also marks the start of a planned series of family-oriented seasonal titles from The Asylum, which is developing additional holiday-themed adventures featuring Pooh and his friends.

Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas will be available to stream and rent starting November 21.

Animated Short Pigasus Launches Globally on YouTube

Posted on August 21, 2025 by admin

The award-winning animated short Pigasus is now available worldwide following its debut on YouTube on August 21, 2025. Produced by Arcana Studio and directed by Sean Patrick O’Reilly, the film has screened at nearly 200 international festivals and earned more than 60 awards.

Based on Don McDowell’s book Pigasus: The Lost Paradise Elysium, Battle for Evermore, the story follows a young pig on a fantastical journey of self-discovery, accompanied by creatures like Pegasus and Unicorn. The film blends adventure and fantasy while exploring themes of growth, resilience, and hope.

Originally released in 2023, Pigasus has been recognized at festivals including the World Film Festival in Cannes, the Vegas Movie Awards, and the Hollywood Gold Awards. Its online release marks the first time the short is widely accessible to a global audience.

Bill Hader Voices a Chaotic Cat in First Look at Animated Cat in the Hat

Posted on July 5, 2025 by admin

New Trailer Released Ahead of February 2026 Theatrical Debut

Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for its upcoming animated film The Cat in the Hat, due in theaters on February 27, 2026. Voiced by Bill Hader, this new version of the classic Dr. Seuss character follows the Cat on a mission from the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration (I.I.I.I.) to help two children adjust after moving to a new town. It’s described as the Cat’s most difficult assignment yet, with the risk of losing his magical hat if he fails.

The film is the first full-length animated theatrical adaptation of the book and introduces an expansive new world separate from previous versions. It’s directed by Alessandro Carloni (Kung Fu Panda 3) and Erica Rivinoja (Clone High, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs).

The voice cast includes Xochitl Gomez, Quinta Brunson, Matt Berry, Paula Pell, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang, and Tituss Burgess.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Trailer Unleashes the Beginning of the Final Battle

Posted on July 1, 2025 by admin

A new trailer has been released for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, the upcoming animated feature film opening in U.S. theaters on September 12, 2025, following its July 18 release in Japan.

The film adapts the “Infinity Castle” arc of the Demon Slayer manga. It follows Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps as they respond to an attack by Muzan Kibutsuji at the Ubuyashiki Mansion, leading them into a confrontation at the demons’ stronghold. The trailer includes scenes of the descent into the castle and the start of the final battle.

The movie is directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, with music by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina. Theme songs are performed by Aimer and LiSA. International distribution is handled by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Comedy Central Announces Guest Lineup for Digman! Season Two

Posted on June 27, 2025 by admin

Comedy Central has revealed the guest voice cast for season two of Digman!, the animated comedy created by Andy Samberg and Neil Campbell. The series returns Wednesday, July 9 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

New additions to the cast include Fred Armisen, Mark Hamill, Nathan Lane, Seth Meyers, Amy Sedaris, John Waters, Jeffrey Wright, and Kate Winslet, among others.

Produced by CBS Studios and The Lonely Island, Digman! stars Samberg as Rip Digman, with returning cast members Mitra Jouhari, Tim Robinson, Dale Soules, Guz Khan, Melissa Fumero, and Tim Meadows.

Season one is currently available on Paramount+ and Comedy Central Video On Demand.

Netflix Debuts Trailer for Animated Fantasy In Your Dreams

Posted on June 21, 2025 by admin

Netflix has released the official teaser for In Your Dreams, a new animated comedy adventure premiering November 14, 2025.

Directed by Alex Woo (WALL-E) and Erik Benson (Toy Story 4), the film follows siblings Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and Elliot (Elias Janssen) as they journey into their dreams to find the mythical Sandman, hoping he can fix their parents’ marriage. Along the way, they face zombie breakfast foods, a mischievous stuffed giraffe, and the queen of nightmares.

The voice cast includes Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Craig Robinson, Omid Djalili, and more. Produced by Netflix Animation and Kuku Studios, with visuals by Sony Pictures Imageworks, the film blends heart, humor, and surreal adventure.

In Your Dreams begins streaming November 14 on Netflix.

LAIKA’s ParaNorman Returns to Theaters in Remastered 3D with New Short Film

Posted on June 13, 2025 by admin

LAIKA’s stop-motion feature ParaNorman is returning to theaters this Halloween for a one-week limited engagement, presented in newly remastered RealD 3D and 2D formats. Originally released in 2012, the film will be accompanied by a brand-new CG short titled ParaNorman: The Thrifting, featuring voice work by Anna Kendrick and Finn Wolfhard.

International screenings begin October 23 via Trafalgar Releasing, with U.S. showings starting October 25 through Fathom Entertainment. The release follows the strong box office performance of Coraline’s 2024 reissue and kicks off a year-long celebration of LAIKA’s 20th anniversary.

Directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell, ParaNorman received multiple award nominations and remains a notable entry in LAIKA’s catalog. The new short is directed by Thibault LeClercq and produced with Passion Pictures.

The announcement was made at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Cartoon Network and Max Greenlight Season Two and Two Films for “Iyanu”

Posted on May 22, 2025 by admin

Iyanu, the animated fantasy series inspired by Nigerian mythology, will return with a second season and two feature-length films, according to an announcement from Cartoon Network and Max. The show, created by Nigerian filmmaker Roye Okupe and produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, is based on the Iyanu: Child of Wonder graphic novels published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics.

Season one of Iyanu garnered strong audience response across platforms, prompting its renewal. Season two will include 10 new episodes, continuing the story of a teenage orphan with divine powers destined to save Yorubaland. In the upcoming season, Iyanu confronts rising tensions between factions competing for powerful divine artifacts. She also faces a new antagonist leading the People of the Deep, and deeper mysteries about her past begin to surface.

Alongside the series, two animated films have been greenlit. The first, The Age of Wonders, is scheduled for release later this year. Set 500 years before Iyanu’s story, the film explores a flourishing magical civilization in Yorubaland threatened by the embodiment of the seven deadly sins.

Lion Forge Entertainment CEO David Steward II and creator Roye Okupe expressed excitement about the expansion, highlighting the global support for the series and its cultural significance. Executive producers include Okupe, Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands, Matt Heath, Erica Dupuis, Ryan Haidarian, and Doug Schwalbe.

Iyanu has been widely praised for its animation, world-building, and authentic representation of African mythology. Season two is slated to premiere in 2026, with the second feature film currently in production.