InThis Week in Animation News, I’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation in order to get you caught up on everything you might have missed. It’s your one-stop shop for news regarding cartoons, anime, and animated web series. We’re talking movies, TV shows, digital shorts, and everything in between!
First of all, with everything in the news lately (and likely for the foreseeable future, regarding sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, it was only a matter of time before animation saw its share of headlines. Now, an open letter signed by over 200 women in animation is decrying sexual harassment and calling for action against it. It’s worth a read, so I’ve included it below in order to stand in solidarity and share their message.
On the lighter side of news, the first clip and a new featurette from Pixar’sCocoleads the round-up, followed by an early listen to “Home” a new soundtrack fromNick Jonasfor the animated family filmFerdinand. On Blu-ray/DVD comes the new DC Comics and Warner Bros. Home Entertaiment featureBatman vs. Two-Face; you can get a glimpse of the lateAdam West’s final performance in a new clip below. On the TV side of things, Disney Junior’sVampirinais strong in its October debut while Hasbro is looking to roll outMy Little Pony: Equestria Girlson YouTube next month.
For the latest animation stories we’ve already covered on the site this week, take a look at the following links. Then, check out a selection of new stories below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Female Animators Speak Out Against Sexual Harassment in an Open Letter
Thanks toTHR, we’re able to post the open letter from over 200 women in the animation industry who are speaking out against sexual harassment and sexual assault. I’d like to share it in its entirety below in solidarity, along with 217 signatures from such notable talents asBob’s Burgers' producer and writerWendy Molyneux,Steven UniversecreatorRebecca SugarandDanger & Eggsco-creatorShadi Petosky, to name a few:
An Open Letter to the Animation Community
We, the women and gender non-conforming people of the animation community, would like to address and highlight the pervasive problem of sexism and sexual harassment in our business. We write this letter with the hope that change is possible, and ask that you listen to our stories and then make every effort to bring a real and lasting change to the culture of animation studios.
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, many of the women who work in animation have begun discussing more openly issues that we have dealt with quietly throughout our careers. As we came together to share our stories of sexism, sexual harassment and, in some cases, sexual assault, we were struck by the pervasiveness of the problem. Every one of us has a story to share, from tossed-off comments about our body parts that were framed as “jokes” to women being cornered in dark rooms by male colleagues to criminal assault.
Our business has always been male-dominated. Women make up only 23% of union employees, so it’s no surprise that problems with sexism and sexual harassment exist. Sexual harassment and assault are widespread issues that primarily affect women, with women of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups affected at an even greater rate.
As more women have entered the animation workforce, it seems that some men have not embraced this change. They still frequently make crass sexual remarks that make it clear women are not welcome on their crews. Some have pressed colleagues for romantic or sexual relationships, despite our clear disinterest. And some have seen the entrance of more women into the industry as an opportunity to exploit and victimize younger workers on their crews who are looking for mentorship. In addition, when sexual predators are caught at one workplace, they seem to easily find a job at another studio, sometimes even following their victims from job to job. We are tired of relying on whisper networks to know who isn’t safe to meet with alone. We want our supervisors to protect us from harassment and assault.
This abuse has got to stop.
The signatories of this letter demand that you take sexual harassment seriously. We ask that:
It has not been easy for us to share our stories with each other. Many of us were afraid because our victimizers are powerful or well-liked. Others were worried that if they came forward it would affect their careers. Some of us have come forward in the past, only to have our concerns brushed aside, or for our supervisors to tell us “he’s just from a different era.” All of us are saddened and disheartened to hear how widespread the problem of sexual harassment still is in the animation industry, and how many of our friends had been suffering in secret.
It is with this in mind that we resolve to do everything we can to prevent anyone else from being victimized. We are united in our mission to wipe out sexual harassment in the animation industry, and we will no longer be silent.
Abigail Davies, Ae Ri Yoon, Alejandra Quintas, Alex Mack, Alice Herring, Aliki Theofilopoulos, Allie Splain, Allison Kim, Allison Perry, Alyx Jolivet, Amalia Levari, Amanda Li, Amanda Turnage, Amber Vucinich, Amelia Lorenz, Aminder Dhaliwal, Angela Li, Angelina Ricardo, Anna Hollingsworth, Anna O’Brian, Anne Walker Farrell, Annisa Adjani, Arlyne Ramirez, Ashley Fisher, Ashley King, Ashlyn Anstee, Audrey Diehl, Aurry Tan, Becky Lau, Bethany Lo, Bri Neumann, Brianne Drouhard, Bridget Ore, Brittany Rochford, Cameron Butler, Careen Ingle, Carly Silverman, Caroline Director, Caroline Foley, Carrie Liao, Casey Follen, Catharina Sukiman, Chelsea McAlarney, Cheyenne Curtis, Chivaun Fitzpatrick, Christina Faulkner, Christine Liu, Citlalli Anderson, Clio Chiang, Daniaelle Simonsen, Danielle Bonadona, Danny Ducker, Diana Huh, Diana Kidlaied, Diem Doan, Elaine Wu, Elisa Phillips, Elise Fachon, Elise Willis, Elizabeth (Betsy) Bauer, Elizabeth Ito, Elizabeth McMahill, Emily Brundige , Emily Rice, Emily Walus, Emily Quinn, Erin Kavanagh, Eunsoo Jeong, Evon Freeman, Faryn Pearl, Ginny Hawes, Gizelle Orbino, Grace Babineau, Grace Mi, grace young, Haley Mancini, Hannah Ayoubi, Heather Gregersen, Hilary Florido, Hillary Bradfield, Hsuan Ho, Ilana M Schwartz, Jackie Bae, Jacqueline Sheng, Jean Kang, Jen Bardekoff, Jen Bennett, Jenn Ely, Jenn Strickland, Jenna Boyd, Jenny Cho, Jess Marfisi, Jessica Gao, Jessica von Medicus, Jessie Greenberg, Jessie Wong, Jihyun Park, Jill Sanford, Joanna Leitch, Jocelyn Sepulveda, Jordan Rosato, Julia Kaye, Julia Layton, Julia Pott, Julia Srednicki, Julia Vickerman, Julianne Martin, Kaitlyn Ritter, Kaitrin Snodgrass, Karen C. Johnson, Kassandra Heller, Kat Good, Katie Rice, Kayla Carlisle, Kelly Gollogly, Kellye Perdue, Kelsey Norden, Kendra Melton, Kennedy Tarrell, Kiki Manrique, Kiley Vorndran, Kim Le, Kim Roberson, Kimberly Knoll, Kristen Gish, Kristen Morrison, Kristin Koch, Lacey Dyer, Lamb Chamberlin, Laura Hohman, Laura Sreebny, Lauren Duda, Lauren Faust, Lauren Patterson, Leah Artwick, Lily Williams, Lindsay Carrozza, Lindsey Pollard, Lisa Hanawalt, Lissa Treiman, Liz Climo, Lorraine Grate, Lorraine Howard, Lucyola Langi, Lynn Wang, Maaike Scherff, Madeline Queripel, Maggie Kang, Maha Tabikh, Mallory Carlson, Maria Nguyen, Mariah-Rose Marie M, Mariana Chan, Mary Nash, Mayumi Nose, McKenna Harris, Megan Dong, Megan Lloyd, Megan Phonesavanh, Megan Waldow, Megan Willoughby, Melissa Juarez, Melissa King, Melissa Levengood, Michelle Lin, Michelle Thies, Miho Tomimasu, Mingjue Chen, Minty Lewis, Mollie Freilich, Monica Davila, Monica DeStefano, Naomi Hicks, Natasha Kline, Nicole Rivera, Niki Lopez, Nooree Kim, Nora Meek, Patricia Burgos, Phylicia Fuentes, Rebecca Sugar, Rebecca Wallace, Reem S. Ali-adeeb, Rianna Liu, Rikke Asbjoern, Sabrina Cotugno, Sabine Doerstling, Sam King, Samantha Gray, Sarah Johnson, Sarah Marino, Sarah Oleksyk, Sarah Soh, Sarah Visel, Sasha Schotzko-Harris, Shadi Petosky, Sheri Wheeler, Sofia Alexander, Sona Sargsyan, Stacy Renfroe, Stephanie Gonzaga, Stephanie Simpson, Stephanie Stine, Su Moon, Sue Schaller, Sydney Sharp, Talia Ellis, Tara H., Tara N Whitaker, Traci Honda, Tuna Bora, Valerie Schwarz, Victoria Harris, Wendy Molyneux, Yingjue Chen, Zabrina McIntyre, Zoe Miller
Visit the Culture and History of Mexico with This ‘Coco’ Featurette
Cococo-directorsAdrian MolinaandLee Unkrichintroduce Pixar’s quest to explore the language, culture, and history of Mexico in this behind-the-scenes featurette.
Also, check out the first clip from the film below:
Grandma knows best! Watch the first clip for #PixarCoco, in theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving! —- Disney/Pixar’s Coco opens in theatres in 3D November 22 in 3D! Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Directed by Lee Unkrich, co-directed by Adrian Molina and produced by Darla K. Anderson, Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Jun 13, 2025.
Listen to Nick Jonas' ‘Home" from ‘Ferdinand’
Twentieth Century Fox recently announced the release of “Home” an original song byNick Jonasfrom the forthcoming animated featureFerdinand. Here’s what Jonas had to say:
“I’ve always wanted to write an original song for a film. When they showed me the materials of the movie, FERDINAND, a story I was familiar with, I was thrilled.”
Jonas says “Home” encompasses the film’s theme of acceptance. “I wrote this song with good friends of mine Justin Tranter and Nick Monson,” says Jonas. “And we wrote about feeling accepted and feeling loved, wherever that place is for you. For me it’s home, it’s my family, people I have closest to me; and the experiences we’ve shared.”
Get a listen to “Home” here:
Ferdinandtells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you’re able to’t judge a bull by its cover.
Ferdinandis directed by Carlos Saldanha, the director of “Rio” and inspired by the beloved book “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. The heartwarming animated comedy adventure features an all-star cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and many more. It will be released by Twentieth Century Fox on June 24, 2025. The film’s soundtrack will be release by Island Records on August 18, 2025.
‘Vampirina’ Debuts as Disney Junior’s Strongest Premiere Since January
The simulcast launch of Disney Junior’s animated seriesVampirinawith two back-to-back episodes on Disney Channel and Disney Junior, ranked as the preschooler platform’s #1 series premiere in close to one year in Total Viewers (1.970 million), Kids 2-5, Kids 2-8 and Adults 18-49 sinceMickey and the Roadster Racers. The two episodes ranked #1 in the hour in Total Viewers and across Kids, Girls and Boys 2-5 and 2-8 demographics.
To date,Vampirinahas amassed nearly 28 million Total Views including reaching 17 million Total Viewers via linear TV, including amassing a substantial 10.4 million full-episode views on YouTube.
Set in a Pennsylvania neighborhood, the series stars Lauren Graham, James Van Der Beek and Isabella Crovetti as the Hauntley family, friendly vampires who have recently moved from their home in Transylvania. The stories follow Vampirina (aka “Vee”) as she faces the joys and trials of being the new kid in town including making friends and attending a new school in the human world. Along the way, Vee learns that it may be easier to blend in with her peers, but it’s more valuable to celebrate the qualities that make each individual unique.
Extensions for the series include multiple storybook and early reader book titles from Disney Publishing Worldwide, as well as dolls, plush, playsets and role-play products from Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
Inspired by Disney Publishing’s popular children’s book series “Vampirina Ballerina,” written byAnne Marie Paceand illustrated byLeUyen Pham, the series includes leaders from the creative team on Disney Junior’s Peabody Award-winning animated seriesDoc McStuffinsincluding creator/executive producerChris Neeand co-executive producerNorton Virgien.Nicky Phelan(Octonauts) serves as director. Broadway composersMichael KoomanandChristopher Dimond(The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes) are the series’ songwriters, andLayla Minoui(Castle) is composer. Each episode ofVampirinafeatures two 11-minute stories and one original song. The series is produced by Academy Award-nominated animation studio Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Junior.
First Trailer for Hasbro’s ‘My Little Pony: Equestria Girls’
On July 24, 2025, Hasbro is premiering the first episode of its brand newMy Little Pony: Equestria Girlsseries on YouTube. Fans can expect more than 45 new, fun and exciting episodes from the series with a new episode rolling out each Friday following the premiere.
Comicbook.comhad the exclusive premiere of the series' trailer, which you can watch below:
The magic of Equestria cannot be contained! It’s found its way into the world of the all new My Little Pony Equestria Girls Digital Series and it’s turning everything on its head. From afterschool clubs to beach days, music festivals to theme parks, and a rockin’ Spring Break on a yacht, magic is sure making things interesting. Join Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity as they learn what it means to be superheroes while they take on their biggest challenge yet: high school.
In addition to the new TV series, Hasbro is releasing a brand new line of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls fashion dolls. In partnership with Laura Shuffman, the official My Little Pony: Equestria Girls celebrity stylist, Hasbro revamped the dolls’ looks from the previous collection, adding new, highly fashionable outfits for all of the Mane 7! The look of these new fashion dolls inspired the look of the characters seen in the upcoming My Little Pony: Equestria Girls series. The new Equestria Girls fashion dolls line will be available for purchase in the U.S. in December 2017 and globally beginning in January 2018.
‘Batman vs Two-Face’ Clip Teases the Late Adam West’s Final Performance
An experiment goes terribly wrong – and creates a monster – in this all-new clip from “Batman vs. Two-Face,” now available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the all-new “Batman vs. Two-Face” finds Batman and Robin back in classic 1960s action, protecting Gotham City from some of the most nefarious villains in comics history. But when the mutilated master of multiplicity, Two-Face, begins staging a daring crime wave across Gotham, the Caped Crusaders must work double-time to discover his mysterious secret identity before they can halt his evil-doing – all the while combating the likes of Catwoman, Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Bookworm, Hugo Strange and King Tut! The late Adam West leads the star-studded cast in his final performance as Batman. The beloved actor delivers an inspired turn opposite fellow pop culture icon William Shatner (Star Trek) as the criminally conflicted Harvey Dent/Two-Face.
