Japan Probe is reporting that the Japanese Consulate in New York has officially complained to the International Herald Tribune after the newspaper printed the following comic:

“The consulate complained that it was “regrettable” to see such a comic, given the fact that the safety of Japanese food exports is being verified by customs officials in both Japan and America.”

Here’s a friendly reminder to take your vitamins:

(Thanks, Clint H.)

First it was Alvin and the Chipmunks, then Yogi Bear. Once again, Hollywood has its way with animation history…

(Thanks, Thad K. and Rob Yulfo)

As previously reported on Cartoon Brew, coming this fall to cinemas in Mexico: Don Gato (aka Hanna-Barbera’s “Top Cat” or “Boss Cat”), a hand drawn feature in 3D. I wasn’t going to post this teaser as there isn’t much animation in it – but what’s there looks intriguing. And I had so many friends sending me links to it, I figure we gotta give our readers a chance to weigh in:

(Thanks to Chris Sobieniak, and many others)

This one is new to me. Back around 1980 there was a radio station (KTNQ) in L.A. branded “10-Q.” Apparently they commissioned a 30-second TV spot animated in the style of Tex Avery. Reader Mike Clark sent it in to us, saying:

“The animation was dead-on to Tex’s style and I taped a copy off the air on Betamax. Lately I’ve been dubbing the old Betamax tapes to DVD and found the 10-Q spot. Please share it with your readers.”

Here’s the fun, intentionally primitive, animated title sequence from Super, the new Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page superhero spoof. PUNY (Yo Gabba Gabba) in Minneapolis did the animation.

(Thanks, Hal via Twitchfilm)

No doubt inspired by the graffiti animation of artist BLU, Patrick Jean (Pixels) directed this commercial for UK’s Passion Pictures, for client Credit Confidential. The live action was shot on location in Buenos Aires.

Credits
Director: Patrick Jean
Producer: Anna Lord
Live Action: Producer: Debbie Crosscup
VFX Supervisor: Neil Riley
CG Production: Manager Aline Ngo
2D Animation: Jerry Forder, Edward Hall
2D painting: Steven Lall, Alan Henry, Tony Clarke
Modelling: Ian Brown
Editor: Jamie Foord
Mural Design: Matt W Moore
Character Design: Yann Benedi and Celine Desrumaux
Music: Eclectic TV
Voice over: Kenneth Crannam

Here’s what looks like the Polish version of Fritz The Cat: Jez Jerzy (aka George The Hedgehog). It’s based on a comic by Rafał Skarżycki and Tomasz Leśniak, and is now an adult feature directed by Wojciech Wawszczyk, Jakub Tarkowski and co-creator Tomasz Leśniak. Animator Leah Shore saw it at SXSW in Austin and couldn’t believe her eyes:

“Its crazy. It used to be a comic book but they turned it into this weird graphic insane feature. Basically its about a hedgehog that drinks a crap load, skate boards, and does a lot of women. Then there’s this neo nazis that work for a scientist that want to kill and clone George to make the ultimate superstar. It bizarre. There’s a lot of bouncing boobies, pustular things and humping of intimate objects.”

Here’s the NSFW trailer:

Today’s “Strange Brew” by John Deering. Care to add to this list?

(Thanks, Kurtis Findlay)

Here’s something a little different for fans of violent anime: My Last Day, a nine minute animated short commissioned by The JESUS Film Project and animated by Japan’s Studio 4ºC – the production house behind The Animatrix, Genius Party, Tekkon Kinkreet and Mind Game – depicting the crucifixion of Christ through the perspective of one of the thieves killed with him. Anime News Network says this was written by Barry Cook – the director of Disney’s Mulan and Aardman/Sony’s forthcoming Arthur Christmas. It’s a far cry from Cook’s previous shorts, Trail Mix-Up and Off His Rocker.

(Thanks, Aleks Vujovic via Twitch Film )

Congratulations to our friends at Blue Sky. Bravo! Well done! 72% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, nice reviews in the New York Times and the L.A. Times – and I personally think it’s the Connecticut studio’s best film since the first Ice Age. Carlos Saldanha’s Rio opens today in the U.S.

It’s a traditional audience pleasing adventure comedy, with an assortment of colorful characters, set in a spectacular location. The art direction, voice acting and animation are first rate. The use of 3-D is pretty good too. Is it the most important animated film of the year? Probably not, but I had a few laughs and enjoyed the ride. What did you think?

As usual, our talkback section below is open to those who have seen the film. C’mon, let everyone know what you think.