Top 10 Upcoming Animated TV Shows
Top 10 Upcoming Animated TV Shows
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Upcoming Animated TV Shows. For this list, we’re taking a look at the most promising-looking animated shows that are set to debut within the foreseeable future. Which show are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
#10: “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” (2021-)
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It may’ve been a half-hour toy commercial turned meme-generator, but we’ll always love “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.” The characters, world, and mythology have the potential to be developed even further, making it a prime IP for Netflix. While Netflix and Mattel are working on a family-friendly “He-Man” series, we’re most excited for this miniseries. Set in the same continuity as the 80s cartoon, “Revelation” is being helmed by Kevin Smith and Powerhouse Animation Studios, which previously worked on the 2D cinematics for “Epic Mickey.” Just as Smith seems like a perfect fit for this material, the voice cast is a dream come true with Mark Hamill as Skeletor and Lena Headey as Evil-Lyn, amongst other big names. We have the power!
#9: “The Way of the Househusband” (2021-)
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Netflix remains one of the top streaming services for anime, and this adaptation of Kousuke Oono’s manga series seems like another worthy addition to their library. “The Way of the Househusband” centers on a retired yakuza who settles down to support his career-driven wife full-time. Mixing action and comedy, our protagonist attempts to live a normal domesticated life, although his violent past proves difficult to escape. Think “John Wick” meets “Mr. Mom”, anime style. This ONA is being produced by J.C.Staff, the same studio behind “Food Wars!” and “Toradora!,” and directed by Chiaki Kon, whose previous credits include “When They Cry.” The titular househusband is voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda, who also played the character in a series of promotional videos.
#8: “The Cuphead Show!” (2021-)
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Television adaptations of video games rarely work, but “Cuphead” was inspired by golden age cartoons. The game even won an Annie for Hanna Abi-Hanna’s character animation, as well as a Special Achievement Award from ASIFA-Hollywood. So, an animated Netflix series centered on Cuphead and Mugman seems like the next logical step. One of the key executive producers involved is Dave Wasson, who’s written and directed several entries in the retro-inspired Mickey Mouse shorts. In addition to Disney, “Cuphead” was perhaps most influenced by Fleischer Studios, which worked on the early Betty Boop and Popeye shorts. “Cuphead” has helped reignite interest in the rubber hose animation seen in the Fleischer cartoons. “The Cuphead Show!” has the potential to take this classic style to the next level.
#7: “Monsters at Work” (2021-)
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Pixar has worked on a few made-for-TV projects, including the Emmy-winning “Forky Asks a Question.” “Monsters at Work” is shaping up to be the animation powerhouse’s most ambitious television venture yet. Unlike “Monsters University,” this sequel series takes place after the events of “Monsters, Inc.” with Mike and Sulley running the show. While John Goodman and Billy Crystal are set to reprise their roles, the Disney+ series will also introduce Ben Feldman as Tylor Tuskmon, who must learn to be a Jokester after training to become a Scarer. Mindy Kaling voices Tyler’s friend Val Little and Henry Winkler is their boss Fritz. Whether the series focuses more on the new or old characters, we’re just glad to be back in Monstropolis.
#6: “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal” (2021-)
From “Dexter’s Lab,” to “Samurai Jack,” to “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” Genndy Tartakovsky is one animator we can safely call a living legend. Tartakovsky’s latest project, “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal,” will be coming to HBO Max, as well as his usual stomping ground, Cartoon Network. This supernatural series centers on a group of ancient heroes who were unicorns in another lifetime. When the team is prematurely reincarnated in teenage bodies, their memories are scattered as well. While combating evil, our heroes must also deal with the usual hardships of being a teen. “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal” likely won’t be as bloodthirsty as Tartakovsky’s most recent series, “Primal,” but we can expect a fantasy that will appeal to a wide range of age groups.
#5: “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai” (2021-)
The “Gremlins” franchise has been sitting around for more than 30 thirty years, waiting for somebody to do something with it. While only time will tell if “Gremlins 3” ever happens, an animated series arguably sounds even better. “Secrets of Mogwai” takes place before the 1984 cult classic, exploring the origins of Gizmo and his adventures with a young boy named Sam Wing in 1920s China. HBO Max has already ordered a second season to follow the ten-episode first season. While the signature puppetry will be missed, “Gremlins” still seems tailor-made for the animation medium. We mean, any franchise that has cameos from Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Chuck Jones himself was bound to get animated eventually.
#4: “Clone High” Reboot (TBA)
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“Clone High” is frequently listed among the best animated shows that were cancelled too soon. While Phil Lord and Christopher Miller expressed interest in a revival a few years back, their schedules kept getting more packed and “Clone High” was already tied up in all sorts of copyright issues. It’s taken almost two decades, but a reboot is finally happening with Lord, Miller, and co-creator Bill Lawrence onboard. The showrunner will be Erica Rivinoja, who previously wrote the episodes “Film Fest: Tears of a Clone” and “Snowflake Day.” We won’t have to worry about the reboot getting cancelled after only one season, as HBO Max has already given it a two-season order. Will the reboot be able to depict Gandhi this time, though? #3: “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” (2021-)
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“Blade Runner” is another IP that was born for animation, especially anime. With the release of “Blade Runner 2049” in 2017, three animated prequel shorts were released: “2048: Nowhere to Run,” “2036: Nexus Dawn,” and “Black Out 2022.” “Black Lotus” picks up where the latter left off, shifting the focus to a female replicant. Shinichirō Watanabe of “Cowboy Bebop” directed “Black Out 2022.” He’s returning as a producer for “Black Lotus,” although directorial duties are being entrusted to Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama this time. The English dub for this Japanese series will stream on Crunchyroll and air on Adult Swim’s Toonami block. While it’s unclear how the thirteen-episode show will expand upon the neo-noir franchise, anticipate a few well-known characters to pop up.
#2: “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” (2021-)
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“The Clone Wars” is officially over, but there’s plenty of animated “Star Wars” content coming to Disney+. “Star Wars: Visions” is a short-form anthology series with ties to anime. For those dying to see more from Dave Filoni, though, we give you “The Bad Batch.” Taking place after the Clone Wars, the series catches up with Clone Force 99, a ragtag group of genetically mutated clone troopers. Naturally, every member is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. Of course, there will be a few other voice talents involved. Ming-Na Wen is reprising her role as Fennec Shand, having already portrayed her in live-action. The series makes its debut on May the Fourth and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate Star Wars Day. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Boondocks” (2021-) Coming to HBO Max… Eventually “Star Trek: Prodigy” (2021-) Kathryn Janeway Returns “Rugrats” (2021-) All Growed Down Again “Tiny Toons Looniversity” (TBA) They’re Tiny, They’re Toony, They’re Off to Looniversity “Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness” (2021-) Produced by TMS Entertainment? Sign Us Up! “Yasuke” (2021-) Telling the Story of the Legendary African Samurai
#1: “What If...?” (2021-)
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There’s a plethora of animated Marvel content on the way, including a stop-motion, adult-oriented M.O.D.O.K. series with co-creator Patton Oswalt as the titular character. The show that’ll intrigue MCU fans the most, however, is this cel-shaded animated anthology. With Jeffrey Wright’s Watcher serving as our host, “What If…?” asks the questions that could’ve taken the MCU in completely different directions. What if Peggy Carter assumed Steve Rogers’ place? What if T’Challa traded in his Vibranium suit for Star-Lord’s helmet? These are just some of the realities we’ll see explored in a series of endless possibilities. That said, the episode we really want to see is “What If the Rat Who Brought Ant-Man Out of the Quantum Realm Got Exterminated?”
