April Drools, Cartoons Rule
T.S. Eliot called April the cruellest month. He was a jerk, but April Fools Day does suck, and this month looks like it's gonna be even rougher than March. Let us help you tough it out with toons.
Steven Universe Future is over, but let’s not pretend there’s not oodles more animated brilliance to keep you busy this month while you’re quarantined, on lockdown, or otherwise socially distanced. Have you watched Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts yet? Did you know the Adventure Time creator has a new show dropping on 4/20? Do you like dragons or anime food? Read on, friend. We’ll get through this together.
What’s news, pussycat?
The latest pieces published on our site.
The End of the Universe
Steven Universe, its feature-length musical film, and Steven Universe Future are now in the rearview. Editors John Maher and Eric Vilas-Boas talk about them all.
‘Loop’ Sets an Important New Standard for Pixar
Autism is rarely presented in the media with this kind of dignity and accuracy, new writer Jessica Levine explains of the Disney+ short.
All the Best Toons to Watch During Quarantine (Quarantoons)
From Frozen and Tangled (literally about people trapped in an impossible situation) to Robin Hood (which is about stealing from the rich) to Dragon Ball Z (dancing to the theme song is enough of a workout to count), here are the best toons to watch while you wait out the pandemic, as recommended by the Dot and Line crew.
The Best Cartoon Theme Songs of March Madness
We caused a [b]racket this month, choosing to do our own version of March Madness that pit cartoon and anime theme songs against one another. Who won? You’ll have to read the post to see who we picked. The real winner, though? Fill out your own brackets and find out!
What ‘Lilo and Stitch’ Taught Me—I'm Not a Monstrosity
In a personal essay that brings us back to our childhoods (or teenhoods), writer and newsletter editor Elly Belle digs deep into why she watches Lilo and Stitch again and again. It’s not just a movie about a baby blue alien and a little Hawaiian girl—it’s about unlearning the idea that you’re bad, and learning that you’re worthy of love.
‘Kipo’ and the Art of Hope at the End of the World
As a society, we’re experiencing collective anxiety and despair at the moment, but Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts is here to remind us that, while it’s not easy to find something to look forward to in the apocalypse, it’s not impossible. Writer Maya Gittelman explores what the show gets so joyfully right.
Diane Nguyen Taught Me Not to Be a Martyr for My Writing
Bojack Horseman might be over, but the lessons that Diane Nguyen taught us all—especially those of us who happen to be writers facing self-doubt and depression—will stick with us forever. Writer Gretchen Gales explains.
The Best Animated Dragons: RANKED
In this wildly creative ranking of dragons, writer Christina Sterbenz, who is totally qualified to be an Official Movie Dragon Ranker, defends her choices to the death. Her DMs are open, if you must @ her.
Sometimes All a Cartoon Needs Is Just One Minute
If you doubt it, then it’s time for you to watch Ohayo by Satoshi Kon, editor John Maher argues.
But it ain’t me, babe
Great writing and news on toons from sites that aren’t the Dot and Line!
Bleach Spinoff Burn the Witch Gets an Anime Movie Adaptation [Polygon] You can watch the trailer, then read an entire one-shot manga online for free, right now.
Steven Universe Creator Looks Back on Her Groundbreaking Series as It Comes to a Close [Variety] Rebecca Sugar had to fight to ensure Steven Universe Future ended the way it did, and she’s damn proud of how it turned out.
How Anime is Trying to Save the Planet [Vice] Films by Makoto Shinkai and Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki do an incredible job capturing nature’s beauty while conveying a call to action that echoes the demands of climate activists around the world.
The Fifth Season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Will Be Its Last [GeekyRant] Unfortunately, one of our other favorite shows is also coming to an end. Alas, all good things must eventually.
The New Studio Ghibli Films Set to Come Out in 2020 [Vice] Studio Ghibli is working on two new films in 2020, including Hayao Miyazaki’s first feature film since coming out of retirement! Now we really, really hope the world doesn’t end.
Jodie from Daria Showed the Burden of Being a Token [Zora] Ambitious, overachieving, and one of the only Black people at Lawndale High, Jodie Landon more than deserves her forthcoming spinoff series.
How the Bloody New ‘Rick and Morty’ Samurai Short Film Got Made [Observer] Wubalubadubdub! Rick and Morty unleashed a new animated short onto the world this weekend, and it’s an homage to Lone Wolf and Cub by anime production company Studio Deen.
Happy birthday to toons
Every day brings another oppor-toon-ity for another classic’s anniversary.
Gundam Wing Is 25…and Everyone in It Is Still Nuts
The Gundam series turned 40 last year, and this year, Gundam Wing, its 1990s iteration turns 25. Editor Eric Vilas-Boas is here to remind you that you may love the show, but you should never forget how utterly insane everyone in it really is.
More anniversaries: Adventure Time is 10 • A Goofy Movie and The Maxx are 25 • The first ever Looney Tunes theatrical short, Sinkin’ in the Bathtub, is 90.
Throwing it back
Revisit some favorites from our archives.
Kiki’s Delivery Service Herring Pie Recipe
Don’t lie, we know you’ve been eyeing that herring pie your whole life—or at least every time you’ve rewatched this Miyazaki classic. Need some comfort food to eat away all this stress? You can cook it yourself thanks to this recipe provided by writer Danielle Lagman.
How to Live Your Best Life, According to ‘Sailor Moon’s’ Cast
Three years ago, at AnimeNYC (remember anime conventions?), the largest group of English–language Sailor Moon voice actors ever gathered together for a panel were asked for advice. Here’s what they had to say, as recorded by writer and voice actor Tiana Camacho.
When It Comes to Public Health, We Could Get So Much for So Little
This 70-year-old cartoon made one of the strongest healthcare arguments ever—but considering the chaos unfolding in the American healthcare system today, it’s clear that we still haven’t learned from the wisdom of Chuck Jones’s award-winning short. This toon broke down the issue during the Truman era, and it’s quite a watch. Editor John Maher unpacks it with the help of public health worker Alex Kingsepp.
Grunkle Stan of Gravity Falls Singing “Giant Woman” from Steven Universe Is Perfect
Grunkle Stan just wants to see some kind of giant woman. We do too, Grunkle Stan. We do too. Here’s writer Amelia Kidd on the crossover musical number of our dreams.
What are we watching? What are YOU watching!?
The editors (and readers!) dish on their latest obsessions.
John is watching…The Midnight Gospel
There is a new adult animated television show co-created by Pendleton Ward, the creator of Adventure Time, dropping on Netflix on 4/20, and it looks like this. That’s all I’ve got for you, and really, that’s all the recommendation you should need. Hop to it.
Eric is watching…Cells at Work
When we recommended #Quarantoons earlier this month, friend of the Line Rafael Motamayor had some strong words for us about one glaring omission:
Well, Rafael! I’m pleased to say that I have since gleefully watched approximately eight episodes of Cells at Work on Netflix after seeing this tweet, thanks to all the time at home I have on my hands in social isolation. It is indeed as good as you say and each episode provides a timely lesson in the working cogs that keep your body running and safe from infectious disease and other invaders. Thanks, dude!
Sammy is watching…Castlevania
I watched one episode of this while at a party, and I completely ignored the party the entire time it was on and was glued to the TV screen instead. Somehow, I never got around to finishing the series, but with all this time indoors and the world on fire, I'm continuing this party (of one) once and for all.
Elly is watching…The Little Prince, and Also All Her Favorite Disney Movies
While it’s not quite the movie adaptation of my favorite book from childhood, The Little Prince on Netflix is still a lovely little cartoon, and it’s quite comforting during times when being an adult feels really, really difficult. I’ve also been turning to all of my favorite old Disney cartoons that helped me make it through difficult times as a kid, including, but not limited to: Lilo and Stitch (as above-mentioned), Tarzan, Mulan, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Atlantis, Robin Hood (we must steal from the rich now more than ever!), Hercules, and some of the newer ones like Moana, Tangled, and Zootopia.
Marley is watching…Thundercats Roar!
Look, I get the apprehension when a classic cartoon gets remade, but Thundercats Roar! is well worth your time. The new team is clearly a bunch of hardcore fans of the original, and they’ve made a reboot that’s a perfect blend of nostalgia, goofiness, and heart-warming action distraction that’s desperately needed right now. (Also, John says you can all shut up about CalArts style already.)
Aaaaand…that’s all, folks!
Thanks so much for reading our newsletter, which is produced by Elly Belle! If you have any notes, feedback, or tips on what to watch next, email us at thedotandline@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, forward this to your friends and yell in their faces until they forward it to all of their friends. Until next time!
Love,
The Dot and Line