News from the world of cartoons

For the first time, the Disney + direct-to-consumer streaming service will expand its offerings with the addition of an ad-supported subscription option, launched in the US later this year and expanding internationally in 2023. The The company sees the move as another step towards its long-term goal of 230-260 million Disney + subscribers by fiscal year 24.

The platform hosts library titles and new originals from the Company's major entertainment brands, including Disney and Pixar animation, Marvel, Star Wars, and more. “Expanding access to Disney + to a wider audience at a lower price is a win for everyone - consumers, advertisers and storytellers,” said Kareem Daniel, President, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “More consumers will be able to access our great content. Advertisers will be able to reach a wider audience and our storytellers will be able to share their incredible work with more fans and families ”.

In the week leading up to the 94th Oscar, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a series of public programs celebrating this year's nominees in multiple key categories. All events will be held at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Events include:

• Oscar Week: Short Films | Tuesday 22 March, 19:00 | Presented by the governor of the animation section for short films and feature films of the Jon Bloom Academy. The Academy celebrates nominated films and directors in the Animated Short Films and Live Action Short Films categories. The evening will include a screening of all 10 nominated short films in their entirety, as well as presentations by all nominated directors (schedules permitting).
• Oscar week: animated feature films | Saturday 26 March, 10 am | Presented by Academy Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Governors Bonnie Arnold and Jennifer Yuh Nelson. The Academy celebrates films and directors nominated for Best Animated Film. The morning event will feature clips from each film, with an on-stage discussion with each group of nominated filmmakers (schedules permitting). A live stream will be available here.

Crunchyroll e Milan Records released the series soundtrack today FreakAngels, composed by the Los Angeles duo MONDO BOYS. Available everywhere now, the soundtrack features 44 tracks from the series, including the opening theme "Crows Calling". Find the album on your favorite music service here.

All nine episodes of FreakAngels are now streaming on Crunchyroll in 200 countries and territories, with subtitles available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian and Arabic. Hiroshi Shimizu (MEGALOBOX, Blue Exorcist, Lupine III) is on board as character designer with Osamu Masuyama as Art Director (Made in Abyss, Studio Ghibli). Read more about the show here.

PETA awarded a Tech, Not Terror Award to the creators and visual effects studio behind Joe vs. Carole in recognition of the Tiger King-inspired show's use of cruelty-free CGI instead of real tigers. The limited series is now available for viewing on Peacock.

"Big cats don't deserve to suffer from TV any more than they deserve to suffer in shoddy street zoos like Tiger King's, and using CGI can help audiences make that connection," says Lisa Lange, senior vice president. from the PETA. “While we hope the tigers won't be exploited for a story about wild animal abuse, PETA is happy to celebrate Joe vs. Carole for leaving the tigers alone and urges all productions to opt for technology, not terror. to represent wild animals. "

Super Wings super fan Finnley will appear as an animated character in a new episode premiering this weekend on Tiny Pop.

Alpha animation e Tiny Pop teamed up in an unprecedented initiative that offered a lucky Super Wings fan the chance to star in their own episode of the hit show. Finnley Hignett, five, of Powys, Wales, entered the competition on the air and won the Super Wings 'Money Can't Buy' award.

Finnley will debut as an animated character alongside Jett and his friends in the bespoke episode “Super Wings' Super Sidekick,” in which they will travel to Shanghai with a special delivery. Premiere on Tiny Pop (UK) Sunday 6 March at noon (encore at 17pm, streaming on Pop Player), the special episode will also feature new themes for the upcoming sixth season and features new characters, including a high speed train called Tony.

The director, designer and puppeteer Toby Olié (Animal Farm UK tour, Pinocchio at the National Theater) shared the first photos of the amazing creations for the theatrical adaptation of Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki, including spirits of all sizes, a majestic Haku dragon and a many-armed Kamaji.

Announced in November, the Studio Ghibli-inspired show is directed by John Caird and will run for most of March at the Imperial Theater in Marunouchi, Tokyo.

First look: The enchanted city on stage

Adapting the limitless imagination of Hayao Miyazaki's iconic animation for the stage was a monumental joy and challenge.

More pictures in my online gallery: https://t.co/rLGZRBzamN# 千 と 千尋 の 神 隠 し #SpiritedAway pic.twitter.com/05Dyf3H1Qc

- Toby Olié (@TobyOlie) March 3, 2022