World's longest-running cartoon to go digital in Japan

TOKYO—The world's longest-running cartoon is to go fully digital, its Japanese broadcaster said Friday, abandoning hand-drawn celluloid-based animation after a run of 44 years.

Fuji Television Network said episodes of "Sazae-san" aired from October would be produced entirely digitally. The move will mean there are no hand-drawn cartoons left on Japanese television, according to the Association of Japanese Animations.

Until the 1990s many cartoons were created by artists working directly on celluloid, a painstaking process that meant characters had to be drawn in many different postures to give them impression of movement as the camera was repeatedly started and stopped.

Two decades ago, computer animations began to become widespread, slowly squeezing out the traditional method.

"Sazae-san", which first aired in 1969, revolves around the life of the Mrs Sazae of the title, a cheerful but klutzy full-time housewife who lives with her parents, husband, son, brother and sister.

The 30-minute episodes, which can readily garner more than one-in-seven Sunday evening viewers, tend to focus on tiny incidents in the family's everyday life and are dotted with seasonal festivals.

"Doraemon", a Japanese cartoon about a robot cat from the future that has a following across Asia went entirely digital in 2002.

"Sazae-san", whose broadcast denotes the end of the weekend for many Japanese, began the switch in 2005.

source: interaksyon.com

Ben 10 returns with new Omniverse series on Cartoon Network

Ben 10, one of TV’s most popular cartoon characters on TV, returns with an all-new series that recently premiered on Cartoon Network.

In “Ben 10: Omniverse”, the now 16-year-old Ben Tennyson embarks on an all-new adventure and encounters more enemies in events that take place one year after the events of Ultimate Alien.

“Here he gets a new Omnitrix watch that allows him to change into aliens. But since his cousin Gwen and his former enemy turned ally Kevin are off to college, Ben is ready to become a solo superhero,” Cartoon Network regional marketing manager Ben Adams told InterAksyon during the recent opening of The Science of Cartoons exhibit at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at SM Mall of Asia.

Adams added that what makes Omniverse different from the previous three Ben 10 installments on Cartoon Network is that it also has new characters in Rook, a by-the-book rookie plumber whom Ben is forced to team up with, and Khyber, an intergalactic bounty hunter.

“With new aliens at his disposal and a brand new lease on life, Ben 10 is more fun than ever,” Adams quipped.

During “The Science of Cartoons” event, deafening chants of “Ben 10! Ben 10! Ben 10!” resonated loudly as the teenage superhero was clearly the star of the ongoing interactive exhibit even as other characters from other Cartoon Network series like “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “Adventure Time” and many more were also on hand to welcome the kids.

One highlight of the exhibit was a behind-the-scenes tour of Cartoon Network shows that included the recent CGI film, “Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens”, which features Ben in all his 3D glory.

Adams said that the Ben 10 experience is not just limited to the new “Omniverse” series and “The Science of Cartoons” exhibit.




“Ben 10 is also crossing all platforms to give Filipino kids a full digital experience, including online games, videos and apps on CartoonNetwork.com.ph’s new Ben 10 Hub, a destination for all things Ben 10 from the original series to “Ben 10: Omniverse,” the jolly executive announced.

Die-hard fans of Ben 10 can also now download the Ben 10 Omnihub, a brand new mobile app where they can get the latest Ben 10 content such as free and paid mobile games, video clips and Ben 10 comics.

“We also have our ‘Ben 10: Omniverse Design Your Own Alien’ contest where fans from the Asia Pacific, including the Philippines, can create one more alien to star in a brand-new game. We will be featuring the contest’s best submissions weekly on Cartoon Network as “Ben 10: Omniverse” progresses.

And, of course, there’s also brand-new Ben 10 merchandise from master toy partner Bandai. Since his television debut in 2005, the popular cartoon franchise has sold over 100 million toys worldwide. It’s a trend that’s not likely to change as brand new Ben 10 merchandise will be available starting October 6 at all Toy Kingdom outlets, Toy Kingdom Express stores, SM Hypermart, Toys R’Us and Rustan’s Department Stores.

Ben and the rest of the gang from Cartoon Network are also making their way to participating schools around Metro Manila with “Cartoon Network on Tour”, which will also feature characters from “Adventure Time” and “The Amazing World of Gumball.”

As in “The Science of Cartoons” exhibit, kids will be treated to fun and educational activities as well as exciting games with Ben 10 and other animated favorites in the upcoming “Cartoon Network on Tour.”

Visitors can also create their own cartoons by appearing in scenes of their favorite Cartoon Network series and trace the history of animation, from its early beginnings to its most recent innovations.

source: interaksyon.com

Robot cat Doraemon receives residency in Japan city

TOKYO – Doraemon, Japan’s robot cat from the future, will celebrate turning minus 100 years old by being given official residence of the city where he will be born, a city official told AFP on Friday.

The electronic blue feline, whose cartoon exploits have captivated children across Asia, is to be given a residency certificate for Kawasaki, a city near Tokyo, on September 3, exactly a century ahead of his supposed birth.

The city, in which the character’s creator lived, is also home to a popular museum of all things Doraemon and plans to issue copies of the time-travelling robot cat’s residency certificate to fans and visitors.

“Doraemon was created and born in Kawasaki city. In that sense, he has always been a city resident,” Mayor Takao Abe told reporters, according to the online edition of the local Kanagawa Shimbun newspaper.

“I hope (the residency certificate) will bring the museum closer to many people,” he said.

The certificate will give Doraemon’s birthday as September 3, 2112, as well as listing his likes — pastries — and his dislikes — mice.

Doraemon was sent back in time from the 22nd century by a young boy who wanted to alter his family’s historical misfortune.

His magic pocket provides an endless supply of fantastical gadgets that help his young friend Nobita Nobi navigate the trials of everyday life.

The character first appeared in manga strips in 1969, making the transition to small and big screen over the following decades.

Doraemon remains enormously popular in Japan, serving as an instantly recognisable cultural reference across generations.

The cartoon series also has a large following in the rest of Asia, including in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

source: interaksyon.com

Simpsons marks 500th episode; Assange guest stars

LOS ANGELES — “The Simpsons,” the long-running U.S. television animated comedy show, reached its landmark 500th episode Sunday, with an appearance from controversial WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

America’s most famous dysfunctional cartoon family have played out their lives before a worldwide audience for over two decades since the distinctive yellow characters Homer, Maggie and children Bart, Lisa and baby Maggie first burst onto American TV in 1989.

The series has become the longest-running comedy in US television history and in its 23rd season is currently the longest-running prime time scripted show.

In the 500th show, Homer and Marge discover Springfield residents are holding a secret meeting to kick them out of town, for all the trouble they’ve caused over the years.

After being sent into exile, the Simpsons arrange to meet with Assange in a bid to clear their names.

The show’s executive producer Al Jean acknowledged last month that Assange, who leaked massive amounts of sensitive diplomatic and military documents, was a controversial figure.

“There was discussion internally whether or not to have him on the show, but ultimately we went ahead and did it,” said Jean in Entertainment Weekly.

He added “there’s nothing we did that has anything to do with the legal situation that he’s in.”

Assange is wanted in Sweden for questioning about allegations of rape and sexual assault, and he fears extradition to the United States for possible prosecution for the leak.

“We wanted to make sure it was satirical, and he was willing to do that,” Jean added.

“Thanks for 500 shows,” the show said in a note attached to the end of Sunday’s episode. “All we ask is that you go out and get some fresh air before logging on the Internet and saying how much this sucked.”

“The Simpsons” has a history of including high profile guest appearances, from Hollywood stars and musicians to politicians—including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair—and famously elusive figures such as U.S. novelist Thomas Pynchon and British graffiti artist Banksy.

Over the past 20 years, it has entered into the national and global consciousness as an icon of television entertainment.

It’s success has surprised even creator Matt Groening, the creative spark behind the family that lives in the shadow of a nuclear reactor, in a fictional town called Springfield.

“Audiences were ready again for a prime-time animated TV show,” he told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday on the eve of the 500th episode.

“We were the first out of the gate and, using a very conservative template of a family sitcom, found a way to tell jokes in many different styles,” he said.

“It’s really crazy that something so quirky is so popular, but whatever that mix is, it works.”

source: japantoday.com