While half of September is still ahead of us, animation fans must gear up for the exciting ride. There are multiple releases round the corner and while most of them are much-awaited anticipated ones, you’ll find a mix of both fresh names on the block and new seasons of fan-favourite shows.
Whether you are a young viewer or waiting to get your hands on some beautifully done animation for adults, these upcoming movies and series are surely going to fit the bill for everyone. Check out our list of the best of what is yet to come and let not the myriad choices confuse you. Yes, the streaming platforms’ libraries can be intimidating, but we’ve done the job for you.
1) Drifting Home (16 September)
Where: Netflix
The only full-length movie in our list, Drifting Home is an anime you wouldn’t want to miss. With the addition of this beautiful film, Netflix is expanding its anime library and we aren’t complaining.
Two sixth-graders, who were childhood friends that drifted apart, sneak into an abandoned apartment building. After losing consciousness and waking up, they find themselves stranded at sea with an entire apartment complex. It is both surreal and scary to see an apartment drifting in the vast ocean. The two of them must pull together to try and get back home. But, how will they come out of this mysterious phenomenon? The film looks promising with a tight plot and stunning trailer and the audiences must be ready for tears, fights, and maybe even reconciliation.
If you’ve seen and loved A Whisker Away, Drifting Home is from the same production house, Studio Colorido.
2) Firebuds season one (21 September)
Where: Disney+ and Disney Junior
The show is set in a fantastical world where talking vehicles live, work and play with the humans who drive them. The plot revolves around a boy and his fire truck as they team up to help others in their community with problems, both big and small. Whether rescuing a young car that’s stuck in a tree, tracking down lost Dalmatian puppies or helping their neighbours stock up on emergency supplies during a blackout, Firebuds highlights the importance of teamwork and helping your fellow citizens.
Each episode consists of two 11-minute stories and features at least one new original song. The music-filled series will teach the young ones what it truly means to be true heroes.
3) Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles (23 September)
Where: Netflix
Whether you are a Pokemon fan who has seen them all or a new entrant discovering Pokémon for the first time, Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles is going to be fun. The show revolves around Ash, Pikachu, and the gang as they are up for new adventures finding undiscovered Pokémon. With its typical action, adorable characters, and colourful landscapes, Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles is sure to catch the attention of both the little ones and those who grew up with Pokémon.
Ash’s team visits the Sinnoh region while investigating the legend of the Pokémon Arceus. During this venture, they uncover a world-threatening plot by Team Galactic. Also, with Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles, the Pokemon franchise is debuting on Netflix!
4) Family Guy season 21 (25 September)
Where: Fox
Family Guy is a popular American comedy television series that is well-loved. It was first aired in 1999 on the Fox network and has been successful in airing 20 seasons till now with a total of 385 episodes.
The show follows Peter Griffin, the endearingly ignorant dad, and his hilariously offbeat family. Lois is Peter’s wife, a stay-at-home mom with no patience for her family’s antics. They have three kids: 18-year-old Meg is an outcast at school and the Griffin family punching bag; 13-year-old Chris is a socially awkward teen with no clue about the opposite sex; and one-year-old Stewie is a clever baby whose sexuality is a work in progress. Rounding out the Griffin household is Brian, the family dog.
Seth McFarlane and David Zuckerman are the directors of this animated sitcom which is produced by the fuzzy door productions.
5) Bob’s Burgers season 13 (25 September)
Where: Fox
The series follows Bob who runs Bob’s Burgers with the help of his wife and their three kids. Bob has big ideas about burgers, but the rest of the clan falls short on service. Their eldest daughter, 13-year-old Tina, has a slight obsession with boys and zombies. Middle child Gene is an aspiring musician with a thirst for life. Louise is the bunny ears-wearing youngest daughter with an offbeat sense of humour that makes her a liability in the kitchen and with the public.
Although the series got off to a slow start with critics, the show’s standing has grown over time and is now considered one of the best animated shows on television today. The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Series in 2014 and 2017. It has been nominated in the category 10 times.
6) The Simpsons season 34 (25 September)
Where: Fox
The Simpsons is the longest running scripted show in US television history. It captures the adventures of Homer, Marge, Maggie, Bart and Lisa who are living in a fictional town called Springfield. The new season will, of course, feature its regular cast: Dan Castellaneta as Homer, Julie Kavner as Marge, Yeardley Smith as Lisa, and Nancy Cartwright as Bart and Maggie. But, The Simpsons has created a thriving tradition of featuring excellent guest stars.
The show has long turned from a simple cartoon parody into a medium through which many writers, actors, and artists have proudly displayed their work. Many big-name mainstream celebrities have featured on The Simpsons. Over the years, they’ve hosted people like Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Mark Hamill, Buzz Aldrin, and Barack Obama.
The series boasts clever humour, outstanding writing, fun plot, likeable characters, good voice acting and offers adult animation in its purest form.
7) Entergalactic (30 September)
Where: Netflix
Kenya Barris and Scott Mescudi have partnered with Netflix for an all new innovative adult animated music series based on Grammy-award winning artist Kid Cudi’s upcoming album, Entergalactic, being released by Republic Records. The adult animated series will showcase music from the new album, which follows a young man on his journey to discover love.
Upcoming artist Jabari moves to New York City where he meets a successful photographer. The plot revolves around how Jabari finds himself falling head over heels in love with his new neighbour Meadow shortly after moving into his new space with plans to try life out as a bachelor. The promising trailer looks like the show will take us on a romantic and intriguing ride.
~ Hope you enjoyed the list!
