On this Animation Monday, I am talking about two shows on Cartoon Network. One show has shown a sneak peek and will premiere in April. While the other cartoon is a short series airing on the channel.
Clarence
Last week, Cartoon Network aired the pilot for Clarence. While the series will not premiere until April, everyone got a chance to see a sneak peek of the series. Clarence is an animated series created by Skyler Page for Cartoon Network. Page, a former storyboard artist for the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time and Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, developed the series at Cartoon Network Studios in 2012 as part of their animated short development initiative. The series revolves around a young boy named Clarence, who is optimistic about everything.
And yes, Clarence is very optimistic about his life. In the eyes of Clarence, the world is full of possibility and wonder. In the pilot, Clarence is the new kid in school and tries to invite his classmates to a slumber party while at school, Clarence does not get much response and one classmate even throws the invitation back to Clarence. When Clarence gets home from school, his mother is making some food, but goes out to a Tupperware party. You know how it feels when you are the new kid at school, trying to make friends is always a tough thing!
Luckily, two boys, named Jeff and Sumo comes to Clarence’s slumber party. Jeff has a square head and I would consider him the geek/nerd of the three boys. In the pilot, Jeff is always getting answers right on a TV quiz show and he does not like doing things he normally does not do. I believe Clarence will change that! The other friend, named Sumo, had all of his hair cut off by Clarence in the pilot, this is something I would never do. Sumo is a party person and likes to take some risks, like releasing bees from a pinata, indoors.
Clarence’s mom is more relaxed and judging by the pilot, will let Clarence do whatever he wants. The mom does have a boyfriend, named Chad, who looks like he is lazy. Yep, he wears his underwear in the house, and drinks milk right out of the carton. So after watching the pilot, I thought the storytelling was good, as Clarence and his friends will do many things real boys and girls might never even think of doing. I would consider Clarence as a more grown up version of the classic cartoon Rugrats. The animation is flash computerized, as most cartoons are animated that way today. The characters animation is more basic. The character’s teeth are very basic!
Yep, I think Clarence will do well for Cartoon Network, and their boy demographic. The only thing I do not like seeing Cartoon Network doing, is starting Adult Swim even earlier at 7 pm Central at the end of March. For those without DVR’s, the new cartoons will start even earlier, and it will force those folks to not see the new cartoons or go online. Yeah, showing adult cartoons even earlier has some parents upset. Learn more about Clarence at: http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/
Mixels
Mixels is a 2014 short form comedy animated television series currently airing on Cartoon Network and Boomerang. The LEGO Group and Cartoon Network produced the series together with the help of world-class animators, voice actors, and toy designers. The series revolves around the Mixels, small creatures that can mix and combine with one another in creative and unpredictable storylines. Here is one short episode featuring the Mixels.
LEGO is hoping that the Mixels brand takes off globally. A mobile app will be released for the series, as well as a website where everyone can learn about the Mixels, and three series of collectible Lego building toys based on the characters. I wonder why we did not see any Mixels during The Lego Movie, I am willing to bet we will see some Mixels when The Lego Movie 2 comes out. The animation in the short Mixels videos is not CGI animation, its traditional animation! Something you don’t see too much anymore.
Mixels involves nine different, fun-loving tribes who inhabit a fantasy land of adventure and wonder. They can mix (combining Mixels of different tribes), max (combining Mixels of the same tribe), and murp (when a mix goes horribly wrong) in all kind of situations, using the mysterious cubits. All that stands in their way are the small, evil Nixels. As you know, most cartoons are only created so toys can be sold. And in Mixels, this is no exception! The LEGO Group will be handling all toy merchandise for the Mixels franchise, and Cartoon Network will handle all non-toy merchandising.
It looks like that Mixels is one of those several short series Cartoon Network is developing for online when Adult Swim expands at the end of March. Yes, more people have computers and internet access, but Mixels should get some more air time on TV. So far, the episodes released are not making me rush out to buy some toys, and Cartoon Network and LEGO Group needs to make Mixels a full-time 30 minute series. That is, if they want to take Mixels seriously. Learn more about Mixels at: http://www.mixels.com/
Videos and images copyright from Cartoon Network
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