Jan 31, 2024

5 Streaming Animation Debuts Expected in February 2024

With the first month of 2024 almost over, we're going to take a closer look at the streaming anime releases for February.

Platform Netflix

Distribution date: February 2

DreamWorks Animation's latest film was first announced at Annecy in June, where director Sean Charmatz, production designer Tim Lam and art director We spoke with Christine Biane. Orion and the Darkness is an adaptation by screenwriter Charlie Kaufman ("Being John Malkovich," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") of Emma Yarrett's 2014 children's book of the same name. The film features Orion, a young man who is afraid of everything, including and especially the dark. So when a literal embodiment of his worst fears comes to visit, things get tough for the boy. The animation, lighting, and VFX in this film are all excellent, and I can't wait to see how audiences react to this out-of-the-box kids/family film.

Platform Paramount+

Release date: February 2

Previously slated for a theatrical release, Paramount moved "The Tiger's Apprentice" to its streaming platform late last year. Adapted from the book by Lawrence Yep, "The Tiger's Apprentice" follows a Chinese-American boy who discovers that he is part of a long line of magical guardians known as the Guardians. Under the guidance of a shapeshifting tiger named Fu, the boy must reunite the estranged animal warriors of the zodiac to fight the evil forces that threaten the world. The film is directed by Raman Hui, a longtime DreamWorks director and co-director of "Shrek the Third. The screenplay by David Magee (Life of Pi) and Christopher Yost (Thor: Ragnarok) is co-directed by Paul Watling (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Yong Duk Jun (Layout Vivo).

Platform Bilibili

Release Date: February 15

We missed "Salted Fish" Season 1 when it was released, but thankfully, all 18 episodes of this wonderfully insane show are available for free on Bilibili! so we were able to catch up quickly. This out-of-the-ordinary series tells the story of a preserved fish called Mr. Salted Fish, who lives in a seafood restaurant on an island and works multiple part-time jobs to make a living. Mr. Salted Fish is uniquely bad at dealing with almost everything in a common sense way, creating all kinds of crazy situations. Nevertheless, he is a deeply sympathetic character and it is a pleasure to watch him make friends on the island.

Platform Prime Video

Release Date: February 23

Prime Video kicked off 2024 with Vivian Medrano's "Hasbin Hotel," released in January. The show was written, showrun and executive produced by Sirocco Dunlap, writer of Netflix's "Russian Doll," and animated by Titmouse. The show follows Dr. Sleech and Dr. Cluck, an alien, best friend, and surgeon of intergalactic renown, as they take on unsettling parasites, illegal time loops, and deep space venereal diseases. The series' soft colors and retro-futuristic animation will appeal to older viewers, while the very modern themes will feel fresh.

Platform Disney+

Release Date: February 28

"Iwaju" is an original science fiction kids' family animation set in a near-future Lagos, Nigeria. The film tells the coming-of-age story of Tola, a young girl living on a wealthy island, and her best friend Kore, who is self-taught in technology. Together they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. The series is directed by Kugali, a pan-African organization, and Olfikayo Ziki Adeola, who wrote the script with Halima Hudson. the release of Iwájú is accompanied by a special documentary program, " Iwájú: A Day Ahead" will accompany the film.