The Animation Blog

‘Dragon Striker’: Official Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Voice Cast and Poster Revealed for Disney’s Sports Fantasy Series

May 7, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: All 11 episodes premiere June 9, 2026 on Disney XD at 5:00 p.m. and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.

Synopsis: In a world where sports and magic combine, farm boy Key discovers his ultrapowerful natural talent and learns he could be the legendary Dragon Striker.

Set at Kal Asterock, an elite school for students who possess extraordinary abilities, Key joins goalkeeper Ssyelle on a scrappy new team to challenge the school champions.

As he struggles with the raging dragon inside him and Ssyelle fights to hold her team together, they learn dark secrets of the past and uncover an ancient evil.

Created by Sylvain Dos Santos and Charles Lefebvre.

Short Film Spotlight: Roberto

May 6, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Fifteen years have passed and Roberto is still in love with his neighbor, but she prefers to remain hidden, ashamed of her body.

With his art and an old clothesline as his only form of communication, Roberto has a plan to get his beloved to face her monsters once and for all.

Written and directed by Carmen Córdoba González.

Cinematography by Toni Mortero.

Music by Jordi Carbonell.

Sound Design by Ivan Garrido.

‘My 2 Cents’ Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Poster: Italian Animated Series Comes to Netflix

May 5, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: May 27, 2026 on Netflix

Synopsis: Zero and Cinghiale run a small business, but financial struggles, misunderstandings, and increasingly complicated personal lives begin to take their toll.

The return of a figure from Zero’s past and unexpected responsibilities push an already fragile situation to the brink, forcing everyone to confront difficult choices.

Created, written and directed by Zerocalcare.

Voiced by Zerocalcare and Valerio Mastandrea.

Original Italian title: Due Spicci

Short Film Spotlight: Los Huesos (The Bones)

May 4, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Los Huesos is a fictitious account of the world’s first stop-motion animated film.

Dated 1901 and excavated in 2021, the footage documents a ritual performed by a girl who appears to use human corpses.

Emerging in the ritual are Diego Portales and Jaime Guzma?n, central figures in the construction of authoritarian and oligarchic Chile.

Written and directed by Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña.

Stop motion armature design by Alejandro León Dooner.

Music and sound design by Tim Fain.

Sound mix by Roberto Espinoza and Pablo Bahamondez.

Short Film Spotlight: Wilem

May 3, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Wilem is the story of a sensitive prince, living in a brutal world. With the help of his friend he attempts to escape not only his royal duties, but also, his crazy family.

Directed by James Papper and Bárbara Oliveira.

Written by James Papper.

Music by Charlie Pelling, James Papper, In Flux and Jon Hook.

Sound Mix by Charlie Pelling.

Voice cast:
James Papper
Charlie Milner
Florence Poppy Deary
Rory Haworth Galt

Short Film Spotlight: Eklo

May 2, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: A drop of water falls every day at the same time inside a wall, creating a close connection between a strange creature and its small plant.

Each passing day feels like a victory in this place where everything seems to belong to the past. What will happen the day this fragile balance is disturbed?

Directed by:
François Dollet
Lucas Mullier
Titouan Bertin
Lucas Dubois
Urvan Taillebuis

Music and Sound Design by Romain Castagnet.

Music Video Spotlight: American Football – No Feeling feat. Brendan Yates

May 1, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Directed by Cady Buche and Travis Barron.

American Football is Mike Kinsella, Nate Kinsella, Steve Holmes and Steve Lamos.

“No Feeling” is from the album LP4.

Lyrics:
There’s nothing new to say or do
There’s nothing new to crave
Tell the doctors I’m done
The kids, “Adieu”
And Mother, “Désolé”
One last goodbye and one last kiss
One last dance with the Goddess Nyx

No feeling
No pain
No one to blame
Forever awaits
It’s just an eternal blank page

Some bones stand on their own
Some bones are carried
Mine are either, neither, or both –
They just ache to be buried

Help me dig a hole!
I’m already cold!
(I honestly never planned on getting old…)

I know you’re waiting for some sign of life but the pain is too much to endure
Goodnight…

One last goodbye and one last wish
One last slow dance with the Goddess Nyx

No feeling
No pain
No one’s to blame
Forever awaits
It’s just an eternal blank page

‘Emi Martínez: The Kid Who Stops Time’ Official Trailer: Soccer Documentary Blends Animation with Archival Footage and Interviews

April 30, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: May 28, 2026 on Netflix

Synopsis: The film tells the story of Emiliano Martínez, from his childhood in Mar del Plata, Argentina to becoming known as Dibu, one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world.

It was inspired by a short story about a boy who discovers he has the power to stop time and communicate with a ball that reminds him of the challenges ahead.

Spanish title: Dibu Martínez: El pibe que ataja el tiempo

Directed by Gustavo Cova.

Written by Hernán Casciari.

Illustrated by Ricardo Liniers.

‘Dad’s House’: New Adult Animated Comedy Series from ‘Smiling Friends’ Co-Creator Coming to Netflix

April 29, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: TBD

Synopsis: In small-town suburban Australia, thirteen year old child of divorce, Sean, spends every second weekend with his laidback, but well meaning dad, Ian.

Cramming quality dad-time into a single weekend is already a tall order, but Ian has a remarkable gift for making it so much harder than it needs to be.

Executive produced by Michael Cusack (Smiling Friends, YOLO) and Dario Russo & David Ashby (Danger 5, Italian Spiderman).

Voice cast:
Michael Cusack
Dario Russo
David Ashby
Felicity Ward

‘Helluva Boss’ Season 3 Teaser Trailer and Release Date: ‘Hazbin Hotel’ Spin-Off Sets Part 1 Premiere for Fall 2026 on Prime Video

April 28, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Part 1 release date: Fall, 2026
Part 2 release date: 2027

Series synopsis: Set in Hell, Helluva Boss follows the hell-born imp Blitzo (the “o” is silent), the eccentric leader of I.M.P. (Immediate Murder Professionals), a small, chaotic assassination business able to run thanks to a magic grimoire, and a complicated situationship with the demon prince Stolas.

Alongside his equally chaotic ragtag crew — Moxxie, a by-the-books marksman; Millie, a fiery and skilled assassin; and Loona, their snarky, hellbound receptionist — Blitzo takes on contracts to kill targets in the human world.

Created by Vivienne Medrano.

Voice cast:
Brandon Rogers as Blitzo
Richard Horvitz as Moxxie
Vivian Nixon as Millie
Erica Lindbeck as Loona
Bryce Pinkham as Stolas

Music Video Spotlight: K Sensei – Le Monde (The World) feat. Malika Whitaker

April 27, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Atlas — portrayed by K Sensei — literally carries the world on his back. Frozen like a marble statue, he is crushed by his burden until he begins to crack.

A Star, Malika, then moves through space: a radiant, free, and ever-moving figure, she embodies hope, guidance, and the possibility of transformation.

A symbol of light, renewal, and freedom, she gathers Atlas’s fragments back together, heals his fractures, and helps him rise — until wings emerge on his back: Atlas is no longer only a bearer, but becomes one who can ascend.

“Le monde” is from the EP De cendres et de larmes (From Ashes and Tears) by K Sensei.

Directed by Malika Whitaker.

Story by K Sensei.

Short Film Spotlight: S.O.U.R.C.E

April 26, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: On planet Airon, the S.O.U.R.C.E corporation monopolizes resources, inciting the natives to revolt. The soldiers of S.O.U.R.C.E, guarding the last oasis, were all killed by those natives, except for a single survivor.

Directed by:
Alexandre André
Louis Bonnaud
Adrien Gouloubi
Mathieu Hebrard
Pierre Lopez
Anton Markov
Evana Mingsisouphanh
Maxence Porelli
Ludovic Vacher

Original Score by Seiji Champollion.

Sound by Guilhem Favard, José Vicente and Yoann Poncet.

Voiced by José Vicente.

Short Film Spotlight: Cat’ Interview

April 25, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Synopsis: Lucas, a very creative little boy, decides to interview his kitten Cahuète, which he rescued a month earlier in the street.

However, the cat always does what he wants and avoids the boy’s questions. Lucas, very insistent, ends up angering Cahuète.

Directed by:
Enora Laden
Baptiste Lebrun
Séréna Prince
Erwan Galtier
Alexandre Bal

Music by Clément Leconte.

Sound Design by Baptiste Lebrun and Renaud Watine.

Sound Mix by Christian Cartier.

‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ Season 4 Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Voice Cast and Poster: Critical Role’s Fantasy Adventure Returns

April 24, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: June 3, 2026 on Prime Video

Synopsis: In Season 4, we find ourselves a year after the Chroma Conclave. Vox Machina has separated, searching for love, family, and purpose.

But as always, the call of adventure is a breath away. When a long-slumbering evil awakens to threaten the realm, they must reunite to take on an epic foe.

Created by Critical Role.

Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ Lands on Digital Platforms April 28, Followed by 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on June 2

April 23, 2026 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Digital purchase release date: April 28, 2026 on Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Google Play and more.

4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD release date: June 2, 2026

Synopsis: Animal lover Mabel seizes an opportunity to use a new technology to ‘hop’ her consciousness into a lifelike robotic beaver and communicate directly with animals.

As she makes amazing discoveries, Mabel befriends a charismatic beaver and must rally the entire animal kingdom to face a major, imminent human threat.

Directed by Daniel Chong (We Bare Bears).

Written by Daniel Chong and Jesse Andrews (Luca).