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In 2023, the New Cartoon animation scene is thriving with an array of outstanding offerings. Featuring a diverse mix of genres and artistic styles, the animation industry is soaring to unprecedented heights. The year is marked by highly anticipated sequels and inventive passion projects, ushering in a golden era of artistic exploration and the celebration of contemporary talents.
The lineup for the year spans the entire spectrum of creativity, assuring audiences of groundbreaking ventures and updates to cherished franchises. It’s a year where feature-length animations shine, embodying the spirit of innovation and the recognition of emerging talents in the industry.
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10 Best New Cartoon Movies of 2023
Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine
The latest addition to the Detective Conan franchise is the anime film “Black Iron Submarine,” marking a significant release since the series’ television debut in 1996. The story unfolds at the Interpol marine facility, “Pacific Buoy,” where engineers from around the world gather for the launch of an innovative system connecting global law enforcement cameras through facial recognition. However, amidst the excitement, the notorious Black Organization seizes a female engineer holding crucial data.
In the realm of spy-action, Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine stands out with its tech-savvy and engaging script. While the detective elements may take a back seat, the film offers enjoyable mysteries and intriguing villains. The vocal actors’ energetic and skilled performances contribute to the overall appeal of the movie. Although it may not be groundbreaking, this film proves to be a delightful watch for adventure enthusiasts of all ages.
The Venture Bros: Radiant is the Blood of a Baboon Heart
After twenty years, bidding farewell proves to be a formidable task, a challenge that The Venture Bros. confronts in its conclusive movie-length finale. The narrative revolves around Hank Venture, entangled in a nationwide pursuit that exposes concealed threats. Simultaneously, The Monarch relentlessly chases after Dr. Venture’s blood, and a formidable evil from the past resurfaces, instigating chaos for the Ventures. Both allies and adversaries must join forces to restore equilibrium to the Venture universe or witness its demise.
This ultimate installment serves as a heartfelt goodbye to loyal fans, with Hammer and Publick appearing to find catharsis as they engage with their fanbase, all while delivering an entertaining and action-packed spectacle. The grandiose conclusion ensures that every moment is meaningful, avoiding any sense of excess or self-indulgence, ultimately leaving the audience content and gratified.
Rally Road Racers
This whimsical and heartwarming film follows Zhi, a charming slow loris, on a journey guided by Gnash, a witty and wise goat mechanic with a Yiddish touch. Zhi’s fate unfolds as he confronts his amusing adversary, Archie Vainglorious, an unabashed frog, who enlists the help of a seductive character named Shelby to distract him. Rather than facing mythical creatures in Ancient Greece, Zhi’s challenge involves winning a challenging four-day rally along China’s historic Silk Road, a seemingly impossible task given his slow nature.
The movie is filled with hurdles for Zhi to conquer as he races against time to save his village from the havoc caused by Archie’s destructive wrecking balls. Rally Road Racers is filled with delightful moments, appealing not only to a younger audience but also to older viewers seeking a laid-back and gentle experience without excessive references and humor.
How Do You Live? (The Boy and the Heron)
Hayao Miyazaki’s most recent film, “How Do You Live?” surprised audiences by unveiling minimal pre-release information—no trailer or story details, just two images. Drawing inspiration from Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 novel, the narrative follows the journey of young Mahito, who relocates to the countryside with his father during World War II after his mother’s tragic death. Infused with fantastical elements, the film centers around Mahito’s quest to embrace what he still possesses and shield it from further loss.
In typical Miyazaki fashion, “How Do You Live?” stands as a deeply personal creation, prioritizing a profound message over mass appeal, resonating with an uncertain future and the younger generation. Despite its exceptional production quality, the film exudes the essence of an indie production, delivering an emotionally charged and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken emerges as the standout mermaid film of the summer, even in the absence of strong competition. This movie offers an entertaining blend of sea-monster excitement, revolving around a young Kraken named Ruby. As she attempts to gather the courage to invite her crush to prom, her latent powers come to life. Throughout her journey, she must navigate her abilities and confront social awkwardness in school, all while being caught in a longstanding conflict between her Kraken community and the mermaids.
The animation and character designs possess a delightful and adaptable quality, enhanced by outstanding performances from Lana Condor, Toni Collette, and Jana Fonda. While not without flaws, the film makes up for them with enchanting underwater sequences and a thrilling showdown between mermaids and Krakens.
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Nimona
In 2021, Blue Sky Studios faced a setback when it was shut down during the development of Nimona. However, after a hiatus of two and a half years, the film found a new home with Annapurna Pictures, DNEG Animation, and Netflix. Nimona, adapted from ND Stevenson’s comic, has emerged as a poignant queer narrative featuring a shape-shifter challenging societal norms.
The story revolves around Nimona and the wrongly accused knight Ballister Boldheart, placing their friendship at the forefront as they rebel against a repressive order. The movie skillfully combines 2D and 3D animation, reaching a captivating climax of kaiju proportions. Chloe Grace and Riz Ahmed contribute their voices to Nimona and Boldheart, adding depth to the characters.
Elemental
Pixar’s Elemental ventures into a realm where elements such as fire, water, plants, air, and rocks exhibit emotions. The narrative unfolds in Elemental City, centering around an unlikely romance between the passionate Ember and the aqueous Wade. This innovative concept provides a platform for allegorical exploration of societal issues like racial diversity and contradictions within society.
What truly distinguishes the film is Pixar’s bold foray into ambitious animation, demonstrating their expertise in realistically rendering elemental effects like water and fire. The creation of an entire universe centered around these effects showcases how Pixar’s storytelling propels advancements in animation technology and, reciprocally, how technological innovations enhance their storytelling. Consequently, Elemental emerges as one of Pixar’s most audacious and groundbreaking films to date.
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King
The inaugural anime film adaptation of the fantasy adventure manga and anime, created by Pierrot, the same studio responsible for the anime series, unfolds in a realm dominated by magic. The narrative centers around Asta, a magic-lacking boy determined to attain the prestigious title of “Wizard King.” Despite lacking magical abilities, he remains steadfast in fulfilling his commitment to his friends, overcoming numerous challenges.
The movie adeptly captures the essence of Black Clover, honing in on Asta’s journey of maturation amid formidable trials on his quest to become the Wizard King. Studio Pierrot showcases its prowess by delivering a visually breathtaking experience, featuring awe-inspiring battle sequences and a seamless fusion of CGI and 2D animations. The enthralling action scenes ensure that fans are captivated throughout the entire film.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Spider-Verse sequel immediately captivates viewers with its painstakingly crafted, high-energy, and exceptionally stylized animation, evident right from the opening scene featuring Gwen Stacy’s drumming and bursts of vivid colors. The film skillfully showcases a variety of distinct and creatively illustrated universes, highlighting its artistic brilliance. Miles Morales is particularly impressive as he swings and flips through the frame, and his character development remains compelling.
The movie effectively weaves together Miles’ family and civilian life with his superhero journey and connections to other Spider-beings. Despite ending with a gripping cliffhanger, Across the Spider-Verse successfully wraps up various thematic threads, solidifying its status as a truly comprehensive superhero film.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie has emerged as the top-grossing and most amusing intellectual property acquisition of the year, surpassing all other 2023 releases at the box office. Headlined by Chris Pratt, the film, running at a delightful 92 minutes, serves as a joyful homage to Nintendo enthusiasts. It transports audiences into a vibrant world filled with nods to Mario games, featuring iconic locations like The Mushroom Kingdom and Rainbow Road.
While the Super Mario Bros. Movie opts for a safe narrative approach, it manages to strike a balance by avoiding excessive self-awareness, resulting in an enjoyable viewing experience. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic maintain simplicity in Mario’s character development, seamlessly integrating game elements into Illumination’s captivating artistic sequences.
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