Harley Quinn Season 5 gets an official trailer
They’re gonna grab Metropolis by the balls.
The new season of the DC and Max Original Series Harley Quinn premieres January 16 on Max.
Tag Archives: animation
NYCC 2024: Nickelodeon’s Max & The Midknights makes its debut
Nickelodeon’s Max & the Midknights creator, voice cast, and co-executive producers gave fans at New York Comic Con a first-look at the CG-animated series, Max & the Midknights, which makes its television debut on Wednesday, October 30, at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. The series received an initial pick up of 20 episodes across two seasons, with season two (10 episodes) premiering in 2025.
Appearing together for the first time, the voice of Max, Blu del Barrio (Star Trek: Discovery), and the voice of Simon, Zeno Robinson (Transformers: EarthSpark) were joined by creator and best-selling author Lincoln Peirce and co-executive producers David Skelly and Sharon Flynn on a panel. A surprise for fans attending the panel, the voice of Kevyn, Caleb Yen (Beyblade X), also joined the group onstage. Together the panelists shared insight into the development and creation of the show.
Moderated by Max & the Midknights’ Zeno Robinson, creator Lincoln Peirce and co-executive producers David Skelly and Sharon Flynn discussed the origin and development of Max & the Midknights with exclusive first-look clips from upcoming episodes.
Additionally, Nickelodeon and Republic Records Kids and Family will release the soundtrack album, Max & the Midknights (Music from the Series), the same day as the series premiere on Wednesday, October 30. The album is available to pre-save HERE.
Based on the best-selling children’s books by acclaimed author and cartoonist Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), the show follows an adventurous 10-year-old named Max who embarks on a quest with her newfound friends to save the Kingdom of Byjovia from ominous forces.
NYCC 2024: Crunchyroll premieres trailers, new anime acquisitions, and more
Crunchyroll held its Industry Panel at New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Crunchyroll announced several titles coming soon to its streaming service around the world. Those titles included the following:
Based on the manga “The Dialect of the Girl I Fell in Love With in Okinawa is Too Difficult to Deal With” created by Egumi Sora, the coming-of-age slice of romance anime, OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She’s Saying, is set to stream on Crunchyroll this January 2025. The latest trailer for the upcoming anime series was shown at NYCC. The series is written and directed by Shin Itagaki (So I’m a Spider, So What?) and Shingo Tanabe (I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too), with animation by studio Millepensee (I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too).
Synopsis: Teruaki Nakamura recently transferred to school in Okinawa from Tokyo and fell in love with a girl. Unfortunately, he can’t understand her dialect! With the help of his new friend Higa-san, Nakamura will experience a cross-cultural romance on the southern island.
The upcoming anime adaptation for Go For It, Nakamura-kun!, based on the manga of the same name by Syundei, will be coming soon in 2025 to Crunchyroll. The first trailer and key visual for the high school romance series made their world premiere debut at NYCC. It was also revealed that the director, script writer, and character designer will be Aoi Umeki (Pop Team Epic). The animation will be produced by studio Drive (KONOSUBA: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!; To Your Eternity Season 2)
Manga Synopsis via Seven Seas: Nakamura is a shy boy who falls in love at first sight with one of his classmates–his dreamy high school classmate, Hirose. But there’s a problem: they haven’t met yet. And Nakamura is a total klutz who might bungle things before they even begin!
From author Nazuna Miki, light novel illustrator Kabocha, and manga illustrator Rio Akisaki comes the anime adaptation of I’m a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic, which was announced to arrive on Crunchyroll in January 2025 along with a trailer. The series is directed by Kenichi Ishikura (Sakura Trick) and the series composition is written by Tatsuya Takahashi (The Faraway Paladin). The animation is being produced by Studio DEEN (2001’s Fruits Basket; Sasaki and Miyano; KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world!) and Marvy Jack (Spice and Wolf II).
Synopsis: While innocently enjoying himself after work, one man’s life changes forever. He wakes in the body of Liam Hamilton, the youngest son of a noble house on the brink of collapse. Amid the chaos, Liam realizes he finally has time to learn and practice magic. Once he begins, it takes his life for an even bigger turn. Can Liam master magic and save his noble family? The aristocratic fantasy begins!
Additionally, following the thrilling conclusion of HIGH CARD Season 2, it was confirmed that HIGH CARD Special Episode “THE FLOWERS BLOOM” will be coming to Crunchyroll on November 5. The animation is produced by TMS Entertainment (2019’s Fruits Basket; Yowamushi Pedal; Kamisama Kiss).
Synopsis: After discovering X-Playing Cards, powerful cards that grant powers, pickpocket Finn is recruited by High Card, a secret group sworn to protect and collect them. This deck has been scattered throughout the kingdom of Fourland. Moonlighting at luxury carmaker Pinochle, this squad’s set out to play the most dangerous game of 52 pickup. But they gotta get them before rival carmaker Who’s Who!
Along with the exciting new lineup of titles coming to Crunchyroll, an all-new trailer for ZENSHU made its world premiere debut during the Industry Panel. Animated by MAPPA, who is best known for JUJUTSU KAISEN, Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan Final Season, and the remake of Ranma ½, the original anime series ZENSHU will be premiering in January 2025 on Crunchyroll. It is directed by Mitsue Yamazaki (Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle; How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?) with a script written by Kimiko Ueno (Delicious in Dungeon; 2024’s Ranma ½).
Synopsis: After graduating from high school, Natsuko Hirose starts her career as an animator. Her talent quickly flourishes, and she makes her debut as a director in no time. Her first anime becomes a massive hit, sparking a social phenomenon and earning her recognition as an up-and-coming genius director. Her next project is set to be a romantic comedy movie themed around first love! However, having never been in love herself, Natsuko struggles to understand the concept of first love, and as a result, she’s unable to create the storyboard, causing the movie production to come to a standstill.
An all-new trailer for Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE, the final season of the beloved franchise, was shown to fans in the audience for a tease of the upcoming first cour. Based on the incredibly inspiring manga written by Riichiro Inagaki (TRILLION GAME) and illustrated by Boichi (Trigun: The Lost Plant), Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE will be coming January 2025 to Crunchyroll. The final season is directed by Shuhei Matsushita (Dr. STONE NEW WORLD). The animation is also produced by TMS Entertainment.
Series Synopsis: Several thousand years after a mysterious phenomenon that turns all of humanity to stone, the extraordinarily intelligent, science-driven boy, Senku Ishigami, awakens. Facing a world of stone and the total collapse of civilization, Senku makes up his mind to use science to rebuild the world. Starting with his super strong childhood friend Taiju Oki, who awakened at the same time, they will begin to rebuild civilization from nothing… Depicting two million years of scientific history from the Stone Age to present day, the unprecedented crafting adventure story is about to begin!
Crunchyroll also announced launch windows for two Crunchyroll Game Vault titles—a free library of mobile games for Mega and Ultimate Fans. Cyberpunk visual novel PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness and creature collecting life-sim Moonstone Island will launch this October and November, respectively.
- PSYCHO-PASS: Mandatory Happiness Synopsis: In a world where psychological states can be quantified, every choice has consequences. Can detectives Nadeshiko Kugatachi and Takuma Tsurugi remain on the path of justice as they face the ugly truths of humanity?
- Moonstone Island Synopsis: A creature-collecting life-sim set in an open world with 100 islands to explore. Make friends, brew potions, collect Spirits, and test your strength in card-based encounters to complete your Alchemy training!
Fans at NYCC also got an exclusive first look at the latest trailer and behind-the-scenes footage of My Hero Academia: Battleground by Gamefam Studios, the first official anime game on Roblox, set to launch soon. Players will be able to explore iconic environments, battle as their favorite characters, and go beyond – Plus Ultra! – in this action-packed adventure inspired by the hit anime series. All episodes of My Hero Academia are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Series Synopsis: Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his life—a lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That’s right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered “quirk,” Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that’s not enough to stop him from enrolling in one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies.
NYCC 2024: IYANU gets the spotlight with new trailer, clips and more!
At New York Comic Con, Cartoon Network, Max, and Lion Forge Entertainment released the first feature trailer for the highly-anticipated series Iyanu. In this trailer, viewers are treated to a breathtaking introduction to the series’ captivating story based on Nigerian culture and mythology. The scene opens in a lush, vibrant landscape, where the main characters, Iyanu and Biyi, find themselves in a heart-pounding moment of peril when tranquility is shattered by the thunderous charge of a wild rhino, a powerful symbol of nature’s raw force. Then, in a stunning display of courage and intuition, Iyanu channels the ancestral wisdom of her heritage, stopping the rhino in its tracks and unveiling her true nature as the chosen one.
The series adapted from the popular graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics set to premiere on Cartoon Network and Max in Spring 2025.
This feature trailer made its debut during the show’s “IYANU: Lion Forge Brings African Fantasy to Cartoon Network” panel at NYCC.
The event brought together key creative members behind the series, including the show’s creator, lead writer, voice director, and episodic director for the first time—a testament to the series’ truly global production spanning four continents. This unprecedented gathering offered attendees rare insights into the intricate process of casting and directing animation and voice actors across the world, providing a glimpse into the making of this global phenomenon.
Panelists from the “Iyanu” series Included:
- Roye Okupe –Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner
- Paula Gammon Wilson – Voice and Casting Director for “Iyanu”
- Darnell Johnson – Episodic Director
- Brandon Easton – Story Editor and Writer
- Karama Horne – Moderator – Lion Forge Integrated Marketing Lead
Iyanu will premiere in Spring 2025 on Cartoon Network and Max in the US, and will stream exclusively on Showmax across 44 African countries. The global distribution of the series reflects its universal appeal, and with the passionate audience at New York Comic Con—known for its love of fantasy, animation, and comics—this unveiling perfectly aligns with the show’s ambition to bring a fresh African fantasy narrative to fans who appreciate imaginative storytelling and diverse content.
Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.
The talented Nigerian voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu and includes:
- Okey Jude as Biyi, Iyanu’s carefree adventurer friend
- Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, Iyanu’s bookworm companion
- Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Olori
- Blossom Chukwujekwu as Kanfo, Toye’s father
- Stella Damasus as Sewa
- Shaffy Bello as Emi – The One Mother
- Ike Ononye as Elder Alapani
Invincible Season 3 Premieres in February
Skybound has revealed that Invincible Season 3 will debut on February 6. There’s also no midseason break! Along with the premiere date, a teaser video was released as well!
One Piece Hiatus Begins – Fish-Man Island Saga and 25th Anniversary Episode Come to Crunchyroll
Toei Animation has announced that the legendary anime series One Piece will be embarking on a hiatus following the release of Episode 1122. The series will return in April 2025 with fresh episodes from the Egghead arc. During the hiatus, fans can look forward to new content, including One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, a special re-envisioned edition of the iconic arc streaming on Crunchyroll. These episodes will be available exclusively in select regions for one month before becoming accessible on other platforms worldwide.
This special 21-episode cutdown will showcase the Fish-Man Island Arc with a fresh look and feel, bringing a contemporary visual style and new animation sequences, including opening and ending themes. The new opening theme, “We Go!” by Kitadani Hiroshi, will include a special guest collaboration to be announced soon, while the ending theme, “Sailing” (TV version) by BE:FIRST, adds an exciting new touch. Designed to capture the essence of this fan-favorite storyline in a concise format, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga is set to captivate One Piece fans, worldwide, all over again!
Additionally, on October 20, a special 25th Anniversary Episode will premiere, honoring One Piece’s enduring legacy with a 30-minute ensemble depicting the reunion of the Straw Hat crew from the perspective of the non-pirate characters. Set in the Sabaody Archipelago after the Summit War, the story follows its protagonist, a young girl and admirer of Nami, as she sets off on a small adventure. Fans can look forward to the episode being available on Crunchyroll, too.
One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga Official Synopsis:
The Straw Hats reunite at Sabaody! The promised day has arrived. The Straw Hats have made it back to Sabaody Archipelago after two arduous years of separation. In the very same place where they once lost to Pacifista, the Straw Hats have proven themselves to be stronger and ready to begin their journey to the New World. With the Thousand Sunny now equipped to travel underwater, the next stop is the Fish-Man Island. “One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga” is a special edited version of the original arc from “One Piece”, in an abridged 21-episode story with an enhanced contemporary visual look.
One Piece, based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates to find the ultimate treasure, The One Piece, and become the Pirate King. This long-running series continues to captivate fans around the world with its unique blend of action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.
I Am Groot Season 2 is Streaming Now on Marvel HQ
All five episodes of Marvel Studios’ I Am Groot Season 2 are available to watch on Marvel HQ! Full-length episodes will be released each day this week on the Marvel HQ YouTube channel, Marvel’s official family-friendly destination for kids.
Released previously on Disney+ last year, the troublemaking twig returns to mischief in the second season of I Am Groot. This time, Baby Groot finds himself exploring the universe and beyond aboard the Guardians’ spaceships, coming face-to-face—or nose-to-nose—with new and colorful creatures and environments.
Prime Video announces Secret Level, a new adult-animated series featuring Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40,000, and more
Prime Video announced during the Gamescom Opening Night Live global livestream, their new adult-animated anthology series: Secret Level, featuring original short stories set within the worlds of some of the most beloved video games. From Amazon MGM Studios and Blur Studio, creators of Love, Death + Robots, comes 15 mind-bending episodes and groundbreaking animation. Secret Level will be available exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide on December 10.
Each episode of Secret Level serves as a gateway to a new adventure, unlocking exciting worlds from beloved gaming classics and highly anticipated new titles. Prepare for an unforgettable journey, where Amazon MGM Studios and gaming’s finest unite in a first-of-its-kind event that brings together more game IP in a single series than has ever been done before. Below is the incredible list of games who inspired the 15 epic stories found in Secret Level.
- Armored Core
- Concord
- Crossfire
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Exodus
- Honor of Kings
- Mega Man
- New World: Aeternum
- PAC-MAN
- PlayStation (Highlighting various PlayStation Studios beloved entities)
- Sifu
- Spelunky
- The Outer Worlds
- Unreal Tournament
- Warhammer 40,000
Secret Level is created by and executive produced by Tim Miller. Dave Wilson serves as executive producer and supervising director.
Batman: Caped Crusader S1E7 Moving Target delivers some nice action in a forgettable episode
Batman: Caped Crusader‘s “Moving Target” is a pretty simple episode involving a hit coming out of prison against Gordon. It’s a decent episode that doesn’t deliver too much more as far as character development but it does dive into some intriguing concepts to debate.
At the heart of the episode is Barbara Gordon who has helped a prisoner get out early, angering her father. From there a hit has the two of them on the run with Renee Montoya guarding them and Batman attempting to figure out who’s behind it.
The episode’s highlight is really the special appearances with guests like Floyd Lawton, Onomatopoeia, and Jim Corrigan. Each is a twist on the characters we know and feel more like fun name drops than anything else.
It should move some characters’ stories along including if the Gordons and Montoya can trust Batman and we’ll see if the guest stars go anywhere beyond the episode.
The voice acting, as it is for most of the series, is good. None of it really stands out but none if it is bad and distracting. There’s some emotional moments but it doesn’t feel like the actors really conveyed the stress or fear of their situation. It’s kind of flat here.
Overall, “Moving Target” doesn’t break any ground and feels a bit like a filler episode but is still entertaining as Gordon and their crew must hunker down as they’re besieged by hitmen. It’s a concept that goes back a long way and there’s some nice twists and turns but overall, it’s a forgettable episode that’s good but doesn’t stand out.
Overall Rating: 7.0
Batman: Caped Crusader S1E6 Night Ride has a Scooby-Doo feel to it
In the sixth episode of Batman: Caped Crusader, “Night Ride,” after a series of robberies in Gotham, Batman wrestles with the possibility that the culprit might be from beyond the grave. Meanwhile, Harvey Dent’s morality is tested when a generous campaign donation comes in from a most nefarious source.
Batman: Caped Crusader has been an interesting series. It’s hard to not compare it to Batman: The Animated Series and overall it feels like a companion to it but also a slight “what if” take as well. The characters, world, and style are similar and familiar, but it’s often a new and different take on them. “Night Ride” introduces a new version of the Gentleman Ghost and as far as episodes, it feels like an homage to Scooby-Doo, so much so I expected the Mystery Machine to show up.
The series up to this point has been generally grounded. While it’s in an alternate take of the real world, the technology, buildings, vehicles, all have rules of some sort. Here, we see the series step into the fantastical with a literal ghost who has a grudge against the average person. It really does feel like a Scooby-Doo episode where I expected the villain to have their mask ripped off in the end and all of their tricks explained with technology. But no, it sticks to its horror sense with Batman seeking out Papa Midnite and having to perform a ritual to save the day. It’s an interesting one-off episode and one you’d expect to have aired during Halloween season if this was being shown after school.
The episode also keeps an ongoing narrative going as well. Harvey Dent’s Mayoral race is facing pressure and he’s sinking in the polls. The episode, and storyline, has been a nice build towards his eventual turn into Two-Face and this is the first time we see his anger boil over. There’s also some key moments where his fight for justice is brought into question, playing into the series overall questioning of corruption and who we can trust.
“Night Ride” is a fun episode but its supernatural aspect feels a little out of place for the series at this point. We’re still being introduced to the world of Gotham, it’s characters, and technology, and adding this feels like it doesn’t quite fit into that. It’s almost too supernatural. Still, if you disregard that, it’s a fun episode with some nice character moments for Alfred especially. It’s not quite up to the quality of previous episodes but it’s still a lot of fun.
Overall Rating: 7.5
