Vandroid's Graphic Novel Trailer is Pure 80's Pulp-Adrenaline

Vandroid is a limited-series graphic novel written by Tommy Lee Edwards and illustrated by Dan McDaid published by Dark Horse late last year. Golden Wolf, a London-based production company whose work we have featured before with their music video for Dog Blood's "Chella Ride", produced this brazenly cool promotional trailer for the novel's release. After watching this, I'm definitely planning on snatching up a copy on my next comic-store run.

Official site

The year is 1984. Washed-up mechanic Chuck Carducci is contacted by an old roommate from his MIT days to team up on a new project using cutting-edge artificial intelligence. With salvaged electronics from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, high-performance van parts, and a plutonium- ion battery dubiously procured by a mysterious financial backer, Chuck builds a robot so human, yet so powerful, it can only be called VANDROID! Chuck puts everything he ever wished he was into Vandroid, and the robot now has a chance to fulfill his creator’s lost potential.

Little Prince Trailer is Beautiful, Surprising in the Best Possible Way

Le Petit Prince (or as it's better known in the anglosphere The Little Prince) is one of the most long-enduring and celebrated works of children's literature of all-time. The first trailer for the latest adaptation of this classic novella has been released, and it's beautiful and surprising in the best possible way.

Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and published in 1943, The Little Prince follows a young boy as he falls to Earth from a comet, stranded in a desert as he searches for safety and peace of mind in a harsh, alien world.

I never read the book as a child, but I did read it to my 5 year-old godson once and I can honestly say that we were both transformed for the experience. The decision to add a "real-world"story as a framing device in this film is an intriguing one. I'm looking forward to seeing how that culminates alongside the original. The Little Prince comes out October 7th of next year. I can't wait til this one makes it stateside!

Army of Frogs: The Rainbow Serpent Trailer

I'm typically not a fan of book trailers, but this one here is a real treat. The talented folks at Secret Sauce Studio have released this impressive extended animated trailer for the equally beautiful children's book penned by Trevor Pryce and Joel Naftali. The original 30-or-so second trailer is attached to select showings of Mockingjay: Part 1, but this one is twice that length and made all the better for it.

Army of Frogs follows a band of anthropomorphic amphibians as they fight to protect their home in for a vicious host of scorpion marauders. Jamie Lewis' sound direction is on-point and Sanford Greene breathes the awesome fight scenes and gorgeously-rendered mythic anime aesthetic of the books to life. I wouldn't mind an actual show spawning out of this!

Go check out the studio's youtube page for more awesome animated gems to come, and why not give Army of Frogs a read-through too!

"Big Hero 6" Gets It's First Official Trailer

Following a few months of trailer, we finally got the first official trailer for Big Hero 6, Disney's upcoming feature-length animated release for 2014. Based off of the relatively fringe comic created by Marvel's Steven T. Seagle and Duncan Roleaue, Big Hero 6 follows the exploits of a Japanese superhero team, although the film adaptation takes place in a hybrid setting called 'San Fransokyo,' a trans-Pacific megalopolis.

Based off of the images released of the cast so far with characters including Go Go Tomago, Honey Lemon and Wasabi it seems like the cast has also been quite culturally diversified compared to their comic incarnations. Seems like a safe move to guarantee the broadest appeal possible when the movie comes out.

The movie follows lead character and robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada and his robotic sidekick Baymax as they team up with a group of reluctant crime fighters to take on a mysterious, Kabuki mask donning villain called Yokai. Fun fact, the comic book also starred the likes of Silver Samurai and Sunfire, but it's likely that those characters were sidelined due to Fox Studios currently having the Xmen license in their pocket.

The movie is being co directed by Don Hall (Winnie The Pooh) and Chris Williams (Bolt) as well as a whole smattering of staff from high profile projects like Frozen and Wreck It Ralph, so there's a pretty good chance that this will be quite an entertaining flick. The movie is slated to release on November 7. Check out a few more images of the rest of the Big Hero 6 cast after the break.

A Look At Goro Miyazaki's Latest - "Ronia The Robber's Daughter"

The first trailer for Goro Miyazaki's latest foray into the directors seat since 2011's understated Up On Poppy Hill and 2007's divisive Tales from Earthsea is coming in the form of an upcoming TV show called Ronia. Based off of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren's 1981 story by the same name, the show will narrate the tale of a girl growing up in a medieval era setting alongside a clan of robbers in a castle.

A lot of people didn't expect the series to be a hybrid 2D/3D short, with the trailer revealing that the characters will actually be cel shaded models on hand painted backgrounds. This has lead to quite a bit of heated discussion between fans of Ghibli's work, decrying Goro's choices with the series- Although honestly we've already seen Ghibli go down the 3D route with the likes of the Level 5/Studio Ghibli videogame Ni No Kuni.

The production is a collaboration between Studio Ghibli, Polygon Pictures and Japan's NHK channel which is set to debut in the fall season of this year. No plans as of yet for a western adaptation.

"The Last Fiction" - An Initial Glimpse At Iran's Feature Animation Industry

While the media has made it a point to regularly convey Iran as a one dimensional country obsessed with nuclear power, the country actually has an amazing arts scene that we've been following for a while. They've made some amazing strides in the international movie industry, including 2010's critically acclaimed Farewell Baghdad and 2011's drama A Separation winning an Academy Award.

This week brings us a new chapter in Iran's attempt to capture international audiences with The Last Fiction- a production by Hoorakhsh Studio, founded in 2005. The initial trailer is showing some amazing promise so far as a historical feature, employing a realistic hand animated style with a palpable sense of epic scale.

Adapted from a 1,000 year old epic poem called Shahnama (The Book of Kings), The Last Fiction is based off of one of the country's highest regarded literary masterpieces, chronicling the rise of the Persian empire. The movie itself will actually focus on the tale of Kaveh, a blacksmith who leads a revolt against a ruthless, despotic foreign ruler with mythical powers called Zahhak.

As of now it's unknown how far off the movie is from release, but considering the quality of animation so far, I'm really excited to see what these guys will be able to accomplish. Check out a look into Hooraksh's animation studio after the break, to get a rare glimpse at how Iran's young animators and artists work.

"Master Jiang And the Six Kingdoms" - An Awesome Looking Animated Feature From China

One thing to note before even clicking play on this impressive animated trailer - The animation for this short was created in it's entirety by two former Studio Vasoon animators, Pei Wei and Li Fei. We recently featured some of the work they did on another upcoming Chinese feature called God Hunters (Seriously, check it out), which left quite an impression on us as well.

This new production by the relatively unknown Anima CUC entity looks like an absolutely fantastic, epic affair starring many diverse kingdoms, and it actually reminded us a little of the likes of a more feature length Korra and The Last Airbender with some of the elemental themes and stylization present throughout.

After a little research on the Chinese IMDB equivalent (Called Mtime), the plot seems to revolve around the awakening of an ancient evil put to sleep during an era of darkness. The awakening of this evil will ultimately unite kingdoms from around the world, as well as an unlikely hero called the 'Fishing rod child,' who will rise to the occasion to counter this threat. The movie is slated for a 2016 release, and based off the presence of early subtitles I'm hoping this will also be intended for an international release.

"When Marnie Was There" - A First Look At Studio Ghibli's Upcoming Feature

Studio Ghibli's next project will feature Hiromasa Yonebayashi (Arrietty) resuming the directors post in this adaptation of Joan G. Robinson's novel by the same name. This premiere trailer seems to indicate that this will be another understated feature following a trend that the studio has adopted since 2008's Ponyo, which was probably their last 'fantastical' feature. Not that we mind, The Wind Rises (2014) was probably one of the best movies the studio's ever put out. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

Anna hasn't a friend in the world - until she meets Marnie among the sand dunes. But Marnie isn't all she seems...

An atmospheric ghost story with truths to tell about friendship, families and loneliness. Anna lives with foster parents, a misfit with no friends, always on the outside of things. Then she is sent to Norfolk to stay with old Mr and Mrs Pegg, where she runs wild on the sand dunes and around the water. There is a house, the Marsh House, which she feels she recognizes - and she soon meets a strange little girl called Marnie, who becomes Anna's first ever friend. Then one day, Marnie vanishes.

"Paddington Bear" Trailer Is Anything But Adorable

This post might be more catered to European audiences due to the prevalance of Paddington Bear as a childhood book overseas, but think of him as a foreign Winnie The Pooh equivalent. Based off of Michael Bond's series which spawned with 1958's a A Bear Called Paddington, it seems like a hybrid CG/live action adaptation is in the works as evidenced by this initial trailer.

The problem is, whoever called the shots on the look of this film seems to have opted for the uncanny valley route- Choosing to adapt the adorable bear into an ultrarealistic CGI animal with no stylization whatsoever. As someone who grew up with the series, the design just begged to be adapted into an animated feature...Not this hybrid project with gross out humor and a creepy, dead eyed bear with a penchant for destruction.

This trend with toilet humor has been ongoing in the adaptation scene for a while, ranging from the rather terrible Alvin And The Chipmunks movies, Marmaduke and even the ill fated Hong Kong Phooey movie attempt. To think that this low brow formula will be applied to an adorable, marmalade loving bear who was always well known for his politeness makes me appreciate Disney's respect for their movie adaptations of beloved characters. The Paul King (Mighty Boosh) directed feature is expected to hit theaters in the UK and US around the holiday season of this year.

If you want to get a good idea as to how the public reacted, check out the Creepy Paddington Tumblr that's been set up in honor of this trailer.

"Song Of The Sea" - A New Animated Feature From Ireland's Cartoon Saloon Studio

Cartoon Saloon is an Academy award nominated studio based out of Kilkenny, Ireland-Best known for their work on The Secret Of Kells, which garnered international acclaim for it's rich art style and mythological narrative. The same director behind Kells, Tom Moore just recently announced Song Of The Sea, which will be a similar romp into an untapped realm of Celtic mythos.

From a first glance the animated feature is looking absolutely beautiful, featuring a slightly different direction from the high stylization present in Secret Of Kells. Their first feature seemed intent on emulating a flat woodcut look in every shot, which was a little hit and miss. Cartoon Saloon seems to be retaining the same look for the characters with Song Of The Sea, but are focusing more on a fairy tale book illustration approach to the rest of the world.



On a fun note, Cartoon Saloon actually released a pretty spot on proof of concept for the movie back in 2009, which was pretty fun to compare to the final look that the studio decided to go with (Above). The movie will be released sometime this year, and we're hoping it gets picked up for wider western distribution rather than limited release, an issue that it's predecessor suffered from.

Song Of The Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse -- the last Seal-child -- who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land. 

Wakfu - Ankama's Awesome Animated Series Making The Jump To English

Woohoo! If you've been following this blog for a while, you've probably heard me lament a few hundred times about the lack of France's Ankama animation never making the jump overseas. Wakfu in particular impressed me with it's fantastic animation quality, stylization (Courtesy of Ankama's Xaxaxa, among others) and popularity in it's home country which we noted during a trip to Paris. That was in 2011.

Fast forward a few years and it seems like Ankama launched a Kickstarter about a month back (Something we missed), which with less than 15 hours to go has blasted through all it's goals, achieving 500% funding (About $360,000). Among the rewards are some amazing art books, Blurays of the first season and more. I'd highly recommend checking it out if you get a chance. Here's to hoping other overseas studios take a similar approach with their franchises.

"The Dam Keeper" Trailer - An Amazing Short By Pixar Employees

We last mentioned the Dice Tsutumi/Robert Kondo animated project called The Dam Keeper sometime last year, marveling at the initial tests we saw of a rich, hand painted animation style. The Pixar employees have been at work on this project with a small team since last February or so and just recently wrapped up this 18 minute independent short, which will premiere February 11th at the Berlin International Film Festival. Using a mixture of hand drawn animation, with layered paintovers as well as some rudimentary CG elements for blockouts, I can't wait to see this short myself. Check out the making of after the break!

Pig does everything he can to protect his town but nobody shows any gratitude. He trots tirelessly up and down the stairs, moving heavy levers and making sure the windmill keeps turning. This is the only way he can hold back the billowing black clouds of smoke which threaten to engulf everything. In between all of this, Pig rushes to school before hurrying back to the dam each day. The townspeople continue to ridicule and scoff at him, and he finds himself sitting alone in the back of the bus. Everything begins to change when Fox, a new classmate, joins Pig’s class.

No Clip

What if life had cheat codes? That is the question asked by animator Eva Figueroa López, who created this awesome proof of concept trailer for Noclip, a movie she one day hopes to create. A variety of characters use a shared power to defy the physics of the world they live in in order to get past difficult moments in their lives, and I think it's brilliant.

Life is a game you cannot control, but every game has cheat codes! Honestly if this was a Kickstarter project we'd be the first in line to get it funded. The chippy music featured in the trailer (Sad Robot) was created by Pornophique

Disney's Frozen - Full Trailer

We brought you the teaser trailer to Disney's Frozen back in June, and a comparison to a 2009 student film that same month.  Now we have the full length trailer to the CG animated film, due to be released in November.  Seeing as it's Disney, it's almost certain we're going to see it on that basis alone.  That said, if I had to base off the trailer alone, then I have some reservations.  It's possible Disney decided to splice together several of the action and comedy scenes into the trailer just to garner an audience, but it feels forced somehow.

It feels like any other popular American animation, with the same wacky hijinx and gags.  While I'm admittedly no marketing experience, I would think that Disney could preview one of their films minus the shtick, and still attract a wide audience.  That said, perhaps I'm off-base and Disney is previewing their upcoming feature accurately.  Basically, what you see is what you get?  Of course, final judgement will be reserved upon viewing, and I really look forward to this release.

Infinity Blade Origins Trailer Is Gorgeous

Never been a huge fan of the swipe happy Infinity Blade titles, but this new trailer explaining the plot of the first 2 titles and laying out the groundwork for the third installment (September 18) is gorgeous. Created by the Axis animation collective and directed by Ben Hibon (Codehunters, Mirror Mirror), really loved the mix of stylized 3D animation mixed with graphic hand animated elements like the FX.

Legend Of Korra - Book 2 Trailer

As part of the upcoming barrage of new reveals that this year's San Diego Comic Con is unleashing on us, the Legend Of Korra panel revealed some juicy new details about the second season, including this moody new trailer, offering us a taste of some of the challenges Korra and friends will face starting this September.

The most noteworthy plot point for the second season will come in the form of the recently announced origin story of the very first Avatar, Wan, who will be voiced by the Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead fame. Is it just me or does this franchise keep looking better with each passing season? The first season of Korra had some amazing animation and all, but it already looks like the bar is being set even higher for this upcoming season.

Rocks In My Pockets

Today's bizarre, surreal animated short is brought to you by Signe Baumane. It's actually a trailer for her upcoming, in-production feature. The piece is Baumane's personal film dealing with the subject of depression, showing the struggle between the desire to live and the desire to die. In true surrealistic, bizarre fashion, the trailer leaves us with more questions than answers. Baumane and her team are looking to wrap up next March, but are going to be heading up a Kickstarter early next year so they can supplement the cost of producing. Check out the film's website here!