VOD Animations, from Netflix to the BBC

Have YOU ever asked yourself: Where else can I watch some animation about sentient dairy products taking over the world?

You may have by now watched or at least heard your cool friends talk about Netflix’s newest animated anthology ‘Love, Death + Robots’ (LD+R). If you haven’t, here’s what you need to know. It’s big, it’s weird, it’s for adults and it signifies a massive change in audience appetite for VOD animations and how streaming platforms are reacting by throwing billions… yes, billions! at animation for our ever eager eyeballs.

(Love Death + Robots trailer)

Here at The Animation Guys, we know a thing or two about  2D and 3D Animation. Did the name give it away? Here’s our take on what the recent shift on Audience, Budgets + Robots (AB+R) means for animation as an industry and you as…. well you.

‘On Demand’ has changed the animation landscape?

We have entered a new ‘Golden Age’ of television for animation, allowing the likes of Netflix & Amazon Prime to compete for new content & exciting talent. All whilst you and I benefit.

Before, if a new exciting show didn’t fit in with the network’s brand, that show went nowhere. Now, these streaming goliaths are casting their nets wide for vod animations & content that doesn’t fit inside the box, but takes the box and turns it inside out and paints it pink.

Remember a time before binge-watching a new show all in one sitting? As kids, the most animation we saw was on a Saturday morning.

Now?

You’ve missed your favourite animation on tv. It’s all over… or is it?

Not anymore. You can watch it online when you like. No longer are we bound by the shackles of the TV guide. Rejoice!

Where to watch?

Hold your hands up everyone.

We are guilty of spending more time trying to pick what to watch. Instead of actually, you know… watching?

The problem with ‘all the content’ is exactly that. It’s ‘all’ there….. how do you pick the good animation out of the digital haystack?

Lucky for you, The Animation Guys are here to help.

Netflix – Best overall choice

Netflix has become a powerhouse of digital media, creating original shows left & right. They’ve hosted The Simpsons’ creator Matt Groening’s new show Disenchantment.

(Disenchantment trailer)

They’ve also revived many old shows such as She-Ra & Voltron too much acclaim & success.

They are currently the leader in creating successful original animated shows. It isn’t just kids watching animation & Netflix recognizes that.

BBC iPlayer – Best for UK Broadcast kids TV

BBC iPlayer differs from its American rivals because it functions as a catch-up & on-demand service, filled with programs once broadcast on live TV. It has animation from its popular kid’s channels CBBC & CBeebies. They’ve revived older animated shows such as DangerMouse & brought over new Australian made ‘The Deep’.

(The Deep trailer)

BBC & ITV do have their own streaming service, like Netflix, called BritBox which will be coming to the UK soon.

Amazon Prime Video – Best for the collectors

Amazon Prime is the second biggest SVOD platform after Netflix in the UK. Containing an extensive list of wonderful animations to fill hours of viewing time. Such as Amazon Original ‘Danger & Eggs’. An Emmy nominated adventure about an anxious egg & his best friend the daredevil girl.

(Danger & Eggs trailer)

Amazon Prime video differs from competitors by changing the roster of shows available on Prime. Allowing you to amass a library of your favourites.

HULU – Best for keeping up with US TV shows

Hulu is similar to iPlayer. It fills a gap in the market for broadcast shows straight after they have aired in the US. Shows such as Bob’s Burgers or the long-running Adult comedy South Park are mainstays on the animation roster.

If you like Adult Swim, Hulu is your new BFF.

Hulu has also commissioned a new show ‘Solar Opposites’ from Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland.

Disney+ – Best for Disney junkies

Disney owns a lot. Like a hell of a lot. The arrival of Disney+ later this year will treat all of us to our favourites all in one place. Are you a fan of literally anything that’s come out since 1920?

This is the underdog folks, place your bets here. We’ve got the best odds

Crunchyroll & Funimation – Best for Anime

Long gone are the days of waiting for a show to filter down to Saturday TV. Once some people’s only way to reach eastern animation. Maybe you were lucky and found a rogue copy in your local blockbuster. Score!

Whether you like dubbed or subbed, Crunchyroll & Funimation bring many amazing shows to a western market. Find old shows like Pokemon, or new like One-Punch Man.

(One-Punch Man trailer)

Not wanting to stray too far from the regular providers? We understand. Netflix has a large section of Anime you can try out, even commissioning some of its own.

Originals, Newbies + Classics

What we watch, how we watch it & where we watch it, matters.

It’s all down to us. The audience. Support the shows you love, old and new.

Every site has our favourite vod animations in its library. But we all love something new and shiny, don’t we? This is where it gets interesting.

Netflix can afford to say:

“Hey, you remember that 1995 SNES game Castlevania? Let’s make it into an animated show.” It was a very successful experiment.

(Castlevania Netflix trailer)

Companies such as Netflix & Amazon each year regularly increase the amount of original content they produce. Whereas services such as Hulu & iPlayer concentrate more on providing an easy, reliable way to catch up on the broadcast shows we know and love.

Having a large company pick up a new show, allows them to take risks. These risks mean new animation that is smart, engaging & interesting. What more could you want!

Conclusion?

The streaming world has opened up so many possibilities for vod animations from new & exciting sources. It has also allowed the older shows to find a loving home for years to come.

We’re likely going to see more Love, Death + Robots. I for one am looking forward to what comes next.

What are you going to watch?

Where are you going to watch it?

Get in touch.