VIZ Media Announces Leadership Transition
The leading Japanese pop culture entertainment company’s former CEO Ken Sasaki has been named Chairman & Executive Advisor, while Brad Woods has been appointed President and CEO.
Tokyo Lights up the Night with Anime Projection Mapping
Inspired by the nightlife in Thailand, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko has set policy goals to attract more tourists, with outdoor displays of anime playing a pivotal role in enhancing night-time activities.
‘Percebes,’ ‘Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass’ Lead MONSTRA 2025 Winners
Short film ‘Beautiful Men’ also took home a top prize at the Animation Festival’s 24th edition, which wrapped up last week.
Adobe Announces Premiere Pro, Media Encoder Updates
4:2:2 video color editing is now supported on PCs, which reduces file size and improves color grading and chroma keying; NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 laptops are now available, accelerating AI-powered video editing features.
Lionsgate Confirms ‘John Wick 5’ in Development
CinemaCon delivers again with Lionsgate chair Adam Fogelson confirming the upcoming feature will see the return of franchise star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski.
Donnie Yen to Reprise ‘John Wick’ Role in ‘Caine’ Spin-off
Production to begin next year on untitled feature centered around the blind assassin who has been freed from his obligations to the High Table.
Shannon Tindle to Helm Untitled Animated ‘John Wick’ Prequel
The ‘Ultraman: Rising’ writer/director has boarded Lionsgate’s upcoming feature, just announced at CinemaCon, with franchise star Keanu Reeves reportedly voicing the famed hitman in a story about completing the Impossible Task.
‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ First Look Images Revealed
Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson are at the helm of the third web-slinging film in the animated Spidey trilogy, now set to hit theaters June 4, 2027.
Sydney Sweeney to Star in ‘Gundam’?
Though details remain scarce, the ‘Immaculate’ star is reportedly in talks to join the upcoming live-action feature from Legendary and Bandai Namco Filmworks, based on the beloved mecha anime series.
Rick and Morty Season 8 Coming May 25
More wubbin and dubbin is on the way… a new season of the best – and only – animated series about a genius scientist who drags his timid grandson on adventures across the universe returns next month to Adult Swim.
Toonz Media Group, Jay@Play Partner on ‘Hangry Petz’
The 3DCG series, which follows the clever house cat Bella who is the mastermind behind every food heist, will be released exclusively on digital platforms.
‘Maebashi Witches’ Anime Debuts April 6, Opening Theme Now Streaming
Sunrise Studio show is about five young aspiring witches brought to a magical flower shop where they sing, dance and make people’s dreams come true; theme song is performed by the Maebashi Witches, a five-member voice actor idol group portraying the anime’s main characters; lyrics are by Tsunku♂, with composition by TORIENA, and arrangement by Yuki Kishida
HBO Starts Production on ‘House of The Dragon’ Season 3
Tommy Flanagan and Dan Fogler join the third season of the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series, based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood;’ no word on an expected release date.
SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste Set for April 4-5
The 4th annual animation festival returns to the university’s campus in Provence, France with a lineup of screenings, including Annecy and Oscar winners, presentations, portfolio reviews and masterclasses.
‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Saved - Ketchup Entertainment Makes it Official
Distributor acquires the ill-fated live-action/3DCG hybrid film that was produced, then axed 15 months ago by Warner for a tax write-off rather than released in theaters.
Bandai Namco Drops ‘7th Prince’ First Teaser
Season 2 of the fantasy magic battle anime series with the incredibly long full title, which sees Lloyd venture to the church in pursuit of unlocking the secrets of ‘Holy Magic,’ premieres in July on Crunchyroll.
Rob Shaw Debuts ‘You Play Too Much’ Animated Daily Comic
Starring the voice talents of Fred Armisen, the minimalist animation project gives viewers a bite-sized glimpse into the creator’s personal story about growing up in 1980’s Philadelphia.
Sky Kids Commissions 3 ‘Pip and Posy’ Seasonal Specials from Magic Light Pictures
Shows will be based on the 3DCG preschool series adapted from Nosy Crow’s picture books by illustrator Axel Scheffler and author Camilla Reid; the first will air later this year.
Linda Woolverton Boards Kartoon Studios’ ‘Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie And Friends’
The ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ screenwriter will executive produce the ‘yarn-based’ animated reimagining, while John Rivoli joins as creative director; huge production will include over 200 6-minute shorts and 5 holiday specials.
FLAMIN Animations Showcases Latest Cohort’s Work at TNBFC XPO
Artists in the fourth year of Film London’s commissioning program for early-career Black animators shared short film works in progress; applications for new round opens March 31.
WIA Announces 2025 ‘Stories x Women’ Program Participants
5 selected delegates will receive mentoring and coaching sessions from industry experts to prep to pitch projects at Annecy 2025; initiative supports women animators from emerging animation communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Ubisoft Announces New Subsidiary, $1.25B Tencent Investment
The venture will include its ‘Assassin’s Creed,’ ‘Far Cry,’ and ‘Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six’ brands; Tencent will gain an approximate 25% economic interest in the subsidiary, which will remain exclusively controlled and consolidated by Ubisoft.
Adult Swim Renews ‘Common Side Effects’ for Season 2
From Joe Bennett, Steve Hely, and executive producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, the series explores what happens after a mysterious healing mushroom is discovered; Season 1 finale airs March 30.
CyberAgent Drops ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ Trailer, Ending Theme Song
Anime series adaptation of the manga by Mokumokuren, which follows a boy who experiences strange incidents with an entity impersonating his best friend, will stream on Netflix this Summer.
‘Night of the Zoopocalypse’ Hits Premium Video on Demand April 4
The 3DCG film, from the mind of Clive Barker, features a rogue meteor, a mysterious virus, and one very bad night at the zoo; David Harbour, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Scott Thompson star.
