The Animation Blog

‘Disney Jr. Ariel – The Little Mermaid’ Season 2 Now Available on Disney+

January 28, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Disney+ release date: January 28, 2026
Disney Jr. release date: November 10, 2025

Synopsis: In the second season, Ariel and her pals discover a magical new undersea realm and embark on imaginative journeys through the beautiful Crystal World, meeting new friends like the adventurous mermaid Akiko and her crystal axolotl, Axyl.

Voice cast:
Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel
Taye Diggs as King Triton
Amber Riley as Ursula
Gracen Newton as Flounder
Cruz Flateau as Fernie
Elizabeth Phoenix Caro as Lucia
Kai Zen as Akiko

Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid, guest stars as Marina Neptina, Ariel’s favorite singer.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Becomes the New Home of the ‘Looney Tunes’ Library

January 27, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Beginning in February, TCM will introduce the Looney Tunes library to its monthly programming lineup, launching with Bugs Bunny as TCM’s Star of the Month, and a week-long tribute featuring 45 classic Bugs Bunny cartoons.

The Looney Tunes shorts will continue to be programmed on an ongoing basis across TCM’s schedule beyond February, establishing the network as a consistent Looney Tunes destination.

Yoshi Joins ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’: First-Look Clip, Poster and New Release Date Revealed

January 26, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. theatrical release date: April 1, 2026.

Japanese release date: April 24, 2026.

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

Written by Matthew Fogel.

Produced by Chris Meledandri of Illumination and Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo.

Original score by Brian Tyler.

Voice cast:
Chris Pratt as Mario
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
Charlie Day as Luigi
Jack Black as Bowser
Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
Brie Larson as Rosalina
Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr.

‘Invincible’ Season 4 Official Trailer and Release Date: Hit Series from the Creator of ‘The Walking Dead’ Returns

January 25, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: March 18, 2026 on Prime Video.

Synopsis: Synopsis: While the world recovers from catastrophe, a changed Mark fights to protect his home and the people he loves, setting him on a collision course with a threat that could alter the fate of humanity forever.

Created by Robert Kirkman.

Based on the comic book series by Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley.

‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Teaser Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast, Stills and Poster: Fan Favorite Returns in Disney+ Series

January 24, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: April 6, 2026 on Disney+.

Synopsis: Set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this pulpy adventure finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.

There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

Created by Dave Filoni.

Developed by Filoni and Matt Michnovetz.

Short Film Spotlight: Lavatory Lovestory

January 23, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Love always comes unexpectedly — even at work, no matter how unusual that place may be.

Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Short Film (2009).

Written and directed by Konstantin Bronzit.

Based on an idea by Dmitry Visotsky.

Music by Valentin Vasenkov.

Sound by Vladimir Golounin.

98th Oscars Nominations: KPop Demon Hunters, Elio, Zootopia 2, Arco and Little Amélie Compete for Best Animated Feature Film

January 22, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Best Animated Feature Film:

Arco – Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas and Natalie Portman.

Elio – Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina and Mary Alice Drumm.

KPop Demon Hunters – Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Michelle L.M. Wong. (“Golden” was also nominated for Best Original Song.)

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain – Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han, Nidia Santiago and Henri Magalon.

Zootopia 2 – Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Yvett Merino.

Best Animated Short Film:

Butterfly (French title: Papillon) – Florence Miailhe and Ron Dyens.

Forevergreen – Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears.

The Girl Who Cried Pearls – Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski.

Retirement Plan – John Kelly and Andrew Freedman.

The Three Sisters – Konstantin Bronzit.

The Oscars ceremony airs live on March 15 at 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT on ABC and Hulu, hosted by Conan O’Brien.

Music Video Spotlight: Juana Molina – Desinhumano

January 21, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: A song inspired by the story of the Monkey King from the Chinese novel Journey to the West.

In this story, a powerful monkey, born from a magical stone, is trapped beneath a mountain by Buddha after becoming too powerful and causing chaos in heaven.

Hand painted with acrylics on acetate film.

Directed by Dante Zaballa.

Animated by Dante Zaballa and Nespy5euro.

Painted by Ago Carrera, Azul Segovia, Dante Zaballa, Eze Matteo, Juana Molina, Marina Pla, Seba Gaugin, Simon Wilches Castro, Sofi Galarce, Sukermercado and Vrea.

Short Film Spotlight: D.S. al Coda

January 20, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Consumed by the fear of becoming deaf, Yann draws and memorizes the sounds around him.

Directed by:
Maxime Wattrelos
Emma Feret
Jeremy Trochet
Louis Cocquet
François Mainguet
Rachel Cuvilliez
Florian Lecocq

Voiced by Jean-Christophe Herbeth.

Music and Sound Design by Maxime Wattrelos.

Sound Editing by Pierre-Antoine Naline.

Sound Mix by Christian Cartier.

‘Iyanu’ Season 2 Teaser Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Cast: Series Rooted in Yoruba Culture Returns with New Episodes

January 19, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: Spring, 2026 on Cartoon Network and HBO Max.

Synopsis: Season two follows Iyanu as she steps fully into her role as protector of Yorubaland, facing a formidable new threat led by Queen Adura and the mysterious People of the Deep, rising from the kingdom’s ancient past.

Voice cast:
Serah Johnson as Iyanu
Okey Jude as Biyi
Sam Kugbiyi as Toye
Faith Gesiere Agua as Queen Adura
David Onwubalili as Boju

Short Film Spotlight: Potlems

January 18, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: In a town of ever-smiling porcelain children, Ginger is created with a fatal flaw: a frown is painted on his face by accident. Upon realizing, the Fire God, his creator, stops his song in horror: Ginger needs to be corrected.

Written and directed by Alberto Allegri Rodríguez.

Music and sound by Josh Madoff.

Crew: Astrid Lund Rasmussen, Christopher Tjørnild Falkenberg, Guido Duijn, Ida Gørtz, Victor Ragnar Karlsson, Melissa Raymundo Lund, Jacob Havsteen-Franklin, Laura Rubio Alfonso, Riley Rian Yu, Remy F.G. Sandvej and Tereza Pavlikova.

Short Film Spotlight: El Dodorado

January 17, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: After the discovery of an ancient stone depicting a majestic flight of their ancestors, the last survivors of the dodo species will try their hardest to fly, no matter what.

Directed by:
Talhia Brom
Emilie Cayre
Dorian Condelis
Solène Corral
Brice Girardin
Ghita Hsaine
Ambre Kerbrat
Adrien Lhabitant
Héloïse Ogez

Music by Clovis Schneider.

Sound by Tristan Le Bozec, Yoann Poncet and José Vicente.

Trailer: ‘The Secret of the Moonstone’ is Sri Lanka’s First Animated Feature Film

January 16, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: TBD (2026).

Synopsis: In a futuristic Colombo, young Lucky and his best friend Taniya embark on a thrilling adventure into Sri Lanka’s mystical forests to uncover the lost Book of Wisdom of his ancestor, Maha Dena Muttha, safeguarded by a magical creature named Nila.

Their quest, complicated by lifelong bully Chandi’s interference, navigates advanced technology and timeless folklore, rallying allies to reclaim a legacy of wisdom and friendship.

Directed by Steve De La Zilwa.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe’: Main Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast and Poster Unveiled

January 15, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Japanese theatrical release date: January 30, 2026.

U.S. theatrical release date: TBD (2026)

Synopsis: The year is U.C.0105, twelve years after Char’s Rebellion. “MAFTY” has begun resisting the Federation government’s tyrannical rule by assassinating its high-ranking officials. Its leader is actually Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, who fought in the One Year War alongside Amuro Ray.

A girl named Gigi Andalusia, who displays uncanny powers, has reminded Hathaway of a past trauma. Though he is bewildered by her words, he prepares to carry out an air raid on the Adelaide conference, determined to fulfill MAFTY’s goals and lay his own past to rest.

Haunted by past trauma, Hathaway is drawn to the mysterious girl Gigi Andalucia, whose strange powers stir memories within him. While swayed by her cryptic words, he continues preparing for MAFTY’s mission — the attack on the Adelaide Conference.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Sleg of the Federation Forces prepares a defense operation for the Adelaide Conference and a plan to eliminate MAFTY, when he is approached by Handley Yoxon of the Criminal Police Organization with a secret proposal.

As Hathaway and Kenneth pursue their respective goals, Gigi also sets off for Hong Kong to fulfill her own role.

Directed by Shukou Murase.

Screenplay by Yasuyuki Muto.

Original Story by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Yatate.

‘Scarlet’ Official Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Voice Cast and Poster: Mamoru Hosoda’s Anime Adventure Heads to IMAX

January 14, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

U.S. IMAX release date: February 6, 2026.
U.S. theatrical release date: February 13, 2026.

Synopsis: A time-bending adventure about Scarlet, a medieval-era, sword-fighting princess on a dangerous quest to avenge the death of her father.

After failing at her mission and finding herself gravely injured in the “Otherworld,” she encounters an idealistic young man from our present day who not only helps her to heal but shows her the possibility of a future free of bitterness and rage.

When confronted again by her father’s killer, Scarlet faces her most daunting battle: can she break the cycle of hatred and find meaning in life beyond revenge?

Written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai, Belle, The Boy and the Beast and Wolf Children).

Music by Taisei Iwasaki.

Animated by Studio Chizu.