Editing History of Canadian animation

{{Short description|none}}

The '''History of Canadian animation''' involves a considerable element of the realities of a country neighbouring the [[United States]] and both competitiveness and co-operation across the border.

==History==
===Early history===
The earliest known pieces of Canadian animation were [[Cutout animation|paper animated]] 35mm films created by Jean Arsin and Charles Lambly in 1910, but all of these are now lost. ''Romulus and Remus'', a 25-minute film by Lambly for the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal]], was made in 1926, but is now lost. ''The Man Who Woke Up'', created in 1919 by J.A. Norling and William Ganson Rose for the Federated Budget Board of Winnipeg, is the oldest surviving piece of animation.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=16-17}}

In 1927, Bryant Fryer proposed [[silhouette animation]] films to Cranfield and Clarke, the producers of ''[[Carry on, Sergeant!]]''. His films were funded by Filmart and created the ''Shadowlaughs'' shorts with Geoffrey Keighley. These were never theatrically released due to financial difficulties faced by Cranfield and Clarke. Fryer was unable to produce more animation until gaining the financial backing of [[Albert Gooderham]] in 1933. He was unable to find distributors due to a monopoly by [[Famous Players]], which only distributed [[Fleischer Studios]] shorts.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=17-18}}

[[Raoul Barré]] opened an animation studio with William C. Nolan in 1914, and hired [[Gregory La Cava]] and [[Frank Moser (artist)|Frank Moser]]. Barré streamlined the animation process by reducing the amount of drawing needed. He partnered with [[Charles Bowers]], but went into retirement in 1919 after disagreements with him. He left retirement in 1926, and animated ten ''[[Felix the Cat]]'' shorts.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=19-20}}

Prior to 1939, [[animation]] production was a very low scale with small production that were often discouraged by theatre chains like [[Famous Players]]. Such companies did not want Canadian competition to their parent companies' product. However, independent animators such as Jack (J.A). Norling in Winnipeg, Jean Arsin and Charles Lambly in Montreal, and Harold Peberdy, Bert Cob, Walter H. Swaffield and Bryant Fryer in Toronto, were able to produce short animations, primarily for advertising and educational purposes.<ref name="beforemclaren">[https://governmentcheese.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13:before-mclaren-canadian-animation-in-the-silent-film-era-1910-1927&catid=11&Itemid=111 Before McLaren: Canadian Animation in the Silent Film Era (1910 - 1927)]</ref>

====National Film Board====
The [[National Film Board of Canada]] was organized in 1939, under the leadership of [[John Grierson]]. Grierson initially contracted the [[Walt Disney Company]] for $20,000 to make five films (''[[Stop That Tank!]]'', ''[[The Thrifty Pig]]'', ''[[7 Wise Dwarfs]]'', and ''[[Donald's Decision]]'') for the war effort and selling [[war bond]]s. The NFB held the distribution rights for these films until 1945. Philip Ragan, an American animator, was hired as part of the agreement with the National War Finance Committee and Ragan produced over thirty films. The NFB did not have an internal animation department until Grierson brought [[Norman McLaren]] to Canada in 1941, and produced ''Mail Early'', his first film there. McLaren requested workers in 1942, and hired from [[École des beaux-arts de Montréal]] and [[OCAD University]]. The department, Studio A, became an official unit in January 1943.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=22-23; 26}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 November 2011 |title=70 Years of Animation, Part 1 – When Animation Marches Off to War |work=[[National Film Board of Canada]] |url=https://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2011/11/30/70-years-of-animation-part-1-when-animation-marches-off-to-war/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204050350/https://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2011/11/30/70-years-of-animation-part-1-when-animation-marches-off-to-war/ |archive-date=4 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 December 2011 |title=70 Years of Animation, Part 2 – Norman McLaren |work=[[National Film Board of Canada]] |url=https://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2011/12/01/70-years-of-animation-part-2-norman-mclaren/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204050948/https://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2011/12/01/70-years-of-animation-part-2-norman-mclaren/ |archive-date=4 December 2023}}</ref> By 1945, 35 of the 335 films produced by the NFB were from the animation unit.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=34}}

Jim Mackay replaced McLaren as animation director in 1945. [[Wolf Koenig]], [[Colin Low (filmmaker)|Colin Low]], and [[Robert Verrall]] joined that year. Mackay's ''Teeth Are to Keep'' was praised by [[Stephen Bosustow]], co-founder of [[United Productions of America]], as "one of the freshest, best pictures of its kind that we have ever had the pleasure of seeing". The NFB experimented with cel animation in the 1940s with ''Auprès de ma blonde'', ''Good-Bye Mr. Gyp'', and ''Bid It Up Sucker'', but animators were still using paper cutout animation following World War II.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=30-32}}

Mackay resigned in 1949, and was replaced by 25-year old Low in 1950.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=37}}<ref>{{Cite news |title=Colin Low |work=[[National Film Board of Canada]] |url=http://www.nfb.ca/portraits/colin_low/en/|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817210617/http://www.nfb.ca/portraits/colin_low/en/ |archive-date=17 August 2007}}</ref> Allan Ackman started ''Teamwork - Past and Present'', but was fired for his communist views. Low and six animators completed the film which was the first colour cel animated film by the NFB. ''[[The Romance of Transportation in Canada]]'' was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film|Academy Award]] in 1953. [[Evelyn Lambart]] disliked cel animation as it was too simplistic and had "people who just did cel and didn't have to have any brains" while Koenig supported it as the only way to have fluid animation and full facial expressions.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=35; 39-41}}

McLaren recruited French-Canadian animators from [[École des beaux-arts de Montréal]], including [[René Jodoin]]. Jodoin created a French animation unit in 1966, which included [[Laurent Coderre]] and [[Bernard Longpré]].{{sfn|Clandfield|1987|p=117}}{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=79}} The unit was given an initial budget of $50,000.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=81}} Jodoin led the unit until his replacement in 1978, by Robert Forget, who led until 1989. Yves Leduc replaced Forget and led the unit until 1996. Pierre Hébert replaced Leduc.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=88-89}}

Koenig and Verrall co-managed the NFB animation studio from 1964 to 1967, Verrall alone until 1972, when Koenig replaced him.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=58}} Koenig managed the studio until his replacement by [[Derek Lamb]] in 1975. The studio won two Academy Awards and received three other nominations during Lamb's tenure.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=63}}

The NFB suffered from financial troubles in the 1970s and enforced layoffs, including in the animation studio.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=69}} The [[computer animation]] program, which was established by Forget,{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=88}} was suspended due to budget cuts although the NFB's French Animated Studio, founded by [[René Jodoin]] in 1966, created [[Peter Foldes]]'s ''Metadata'' in 1971, and the ''[[Hunger (1973 film)|Hunger]]'' in 1973.{{sfn|Evans|1991|p=137}} The NFB returned to computer animation in the 1980s,{{sfn|Evans|1991|p=279}} but was reduced under Leduc.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=89}}

====Development====
John Phillips and Harry Gutkin founded Phillips-Gutkin-Associates in Winnipeg in 1948, and it was the largest animation studio in Canada in the 1950s. The company created animated commercials, but the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] banned animated commercials aimed at children. Gutkin met with [[John Halas]] in 1960, about creating ''T. Eddy Bear'', what would have been the first Canadian animated television show, but it was not made.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=127-129}}

''[[Le village enchanté]]'' was the first recorded [[Lists of animated feature films|animated feature film]] in Canadian history and ''[[Return to Oz (TV special)|Return to Oz]]'' which was based on ''[[Tales of the Wizard of Oz]]'', the first recorded Canadian [[Animated series|animated television series]], was the second recorded animated feature film.{{sfn|Clandfield|1987|p=119}}

[[Al Guest]] formed Spectrum Productions, the company's name was altered multiple times, in 1957. Guest made a $1 million deal with [[Steve Krantz]] in 1967, to make 52 episodes of ''[[Rocket Robin Hood]]''. Krantz sent [[Ralph Bakshi]] to oversee production. Guest attempted to not deliver the show due to non-payment, but Bakshi took any materials possible and completed the series with Krantz using material from ''[[Spider-Man (1967 TV series)|Spider-Man]]''. Guest was unable to afford a lawsuit and liquidated his company.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=131-133}}

One of the main sources of work for animation companies in Canada were animated commercials, but Quebec passed legislation in 1972 prohibiting animation in commercials aided at children.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=134}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 1983 |title=Quebec's Ad Ban No Child's Game |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1983/04/17/quebecs-ad-ban-no-childs-game/1656d063-ce59-4be8-b764-bbb006a1f9b8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221152111/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1983/04/17/quebecs-ad-ban-no-childs-game/1656d063-ce59-4be8-b764-bbb006a1f9b8/ |archive-date=21 December 2023}}</ref>

[[Michael Mills (Canadian producer)|Michael Mills]] left the NFB in 1973, and formed Michael Mills Productions in 1974. The company's 1980 short ''[[History of the World in Three Minutes Flat]]'' was nominated for an Academy Award.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=142-143}}

Kenn Perkins, an animator from Winnipeg, formed Kenn Perkins and Associates in the 1960s. [[Cordell Barker]], [[Get a Job (1985 film)|Brad Caslor]], [[Christopher Hinton (animator)|Christopher Hinton]], and [[John Paizs]] were employed by the company. The company produced animation for ''[[Sesame Street]]'' through a contract with CBC Winnipeg for four years. The work was grueling and Caslor, the company's second employee, left after two years to form Credo Group with Derek Mazur. Hinton later joined Credo Group.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=155-157}}

''[[Primiti Too Taa]]'' was the first animated film made for [[IMAX]].{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=168}}

====Nelvana====
[[Michael Hirsh (producer)|Michael Hirsh]], [[Patrick Loubert]], and other animators formed Laff Arts in 1967. Hirsh and Loubert reformed this with [[Clive A. Smith]] into the more professionally-named [[Nelvana]].{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=105}}

Longer term successes began with the establishment of the Canadian animation studio [[Nelvana Limited]] in 1971. Before they were huge, they mainly did the production for [[live-action/animated film|live-action/animated]] shorts. These were known as [[Small Star Cinema]], in production from 1974 until 1975. Nelvana took advantage of the new [[Canadian content]] broadcast rules to produce a successful series of acclaimed [[TV special]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/cartoons-considered-for-an-academy-award-1977/ |title=Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1977 &#124; |publisher=Cartoonresearch.com |date=2017-11-27 |access-date=2017-12-30}}</ref> They also had some success in the United States, working on productions like the animated segment of ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' in 1978.<ref name="SWI">{{cite journal |url=http://www.lucasfan.com/swtv/ewdrhistory.html |title=A ''Star Wars'' CELibration |first=Jon Bradley |last=Snyder |journal=[[Star Wars Insider]] |date=1995 |issue=27 |pages=63–65|access-date=March 1, 2017 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409183613/http://www.lucasfan.com/swtv/ewdrhistory.html |archive-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref>

[[Ivan Reitman]] gained a deal with [[Columbia Pictures]] to create an animated film and asked [[Gerald Potterton]] to oversee it. This film, ''[[Heavy Metal (film)|Heavy Metal]]'', was a box office success.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=101}} The success of ''Heavy Metal'' inspired Nelvana to produce ''[[Rock & Rule]]''. The film went $3 million over budget and was a financial failure that heavily indebted Nelvana. The company produced a large amount of television content, "a lot of bad television" according to Hirsh, to pay off this debt.{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=104; 111}}

Nelvana started creating cartoons based on toys, including the [[Care Bears]]. ''[[The Care Bears Movie]]'', by Nelvana, was the highest-grossing non-Disney animated film at the time of its release. They also produced ''[[Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation]]'', ''[[The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland]]'', and ''[[Babar: The Movie]]'', but those were less financially successful.{{sfn|Melnyk|2004|p=248}}{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=111-112}} In 1999, Nelvana made a $40 million deal with [[PBS]].{{sfn|Mazurkewich|1999|p=115}}

===1950s-1980s===
Apart from the National Film Board, Canadian production in the commercial sphere was largely as limited as before.  The biggest contribution in the 1960s and much of the 1970s was in the field of [[voice acting]] with many major television productions like ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]'' and ''Spider-Man'' sporting Canadian [[voice actors]] like [[Paul Soles]] and [[Paul Kligman]].

In the 1970s, independent companies were formed to produce low budget children's programming.  Some examples are ''[[The Undersea Adventures of Captain Nemo]]'', and ''[[The Toothbrush Family]]'' as well as ''Ukaliq'' and ''The Sunrunners'' all written, produced and directed by [[Al Guest]] and his partner [[Jean Mathieson]] at their Toronto company Rainbow Animation.

Two new players suddenly appeared in Ottawa, with [[Atkinson Film-Arts]] producing TV specials based on the Jean De Brunhoff ''[[Babar the Elephant|Babar]]'' books and the [[Lynn Johnston]] comic strip ''[[For Better or For Worse]]'', as well as the series ''[[The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin]]'', ''[[Dennis the Menace (U.S.)|Dennis The Menace]]'', and animation for the film ''[[Heavy Metal (film)|Heavy Metal]]'' and the specials and subsequent series of [[Kevin Gillis]]' popular ''[[The Raccoons]]''. Disputes between Atkinson management and the ''Raccoons'' producers led Gillis' ''Raccoons'' production partner Sheldon Wiseman to form a new Ottawa studio, Hinton Animation Studios. Hinton took over animation for ''[[The Raccoons]]'', and produced animation for projects under Wiseman's own [[Lacewood Productions]]. When the studio's feature film ''[[The Nutcracker Prince]]''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/article/1990/12/07/nutcracker-prince/ |title=The Nutcracker Prince{{!}}EW.com |access-date=2020-04-20 |archive-date=2020-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717032659/https://ew.com/article/1990/12/07/nutcracker-prince/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> performed poorly at the box office, Hinton found itself unable to pay off the money it borrowed to finance the feature; the situation was further exacerbated by creative tensions between Gillis and Wiseman. Due to these problems, Hinton dissolved in 1990, bringing an end to ''The Raccoons'' and Gillis and Wiseman's partnership the following year. Wiseman subsequently reorganized the Hinton animation staff as Lacewood Studios, which produced a new series of ''For Better or For Worse'' specials, and co-produced several television series with producers in the United States and France.

In the 1980s the animation department of the French division of the CBC in [[Montreal]] took centre stage by winning two [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]s for its animation shorts:  ''[[Crac]]'' in 1981<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woJ7kA0sz6s Short Film Oscars: 1982 Oscars]</ref><ref>[https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1982 1982|Oscars.org]</ref> and ''[[The Man Who Planted Trees (film)|The Man Who Planted Trees]]'' in 1987.<ref name="Oscars1988">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1988 |title=The 60th Academy Awards (1988) Nominees and Winners |access-date=16 October 2011|work=oscars.org}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUrE-PO5J0U The Man Who Planted Trees Wins Animated Short: 1988 Oscars]</ref> Both were produced by Frédéric Back. In about the same period private and public colleges started offering complete animation programs.  In 1984 [[Sheridan College]] of [[Oakville, Ontario|Oakville]] won an Oscar for ''[[Charade (1984 film)|Charade]]'', by one of its graduating students, Jon Minnis.<ref>[https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/cartoons-considered-for-an-academy-award-1984/ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award - 1984|Cartoon Research]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk5D-jBD0cw Short Film Oscar® Winners in 1985 - Oscars on YouTube]</ref><ref>[https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1985 1985|Oscars.org]</ref><ref>[https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/every-oscar-winner-for-animated-short-subject-ranked.html Every Oscar Winner for Animated Short Subject, Ranked - Vulture]</ref>

Notable NFB shorts during this era included ''[[The Street (1976 film)|The Street]]'' (1976), ''[[The Big Snit]]'' (1985) and ''[[The Cat Came Back (1988 film)|The Cat Came Back]]'' (1988).

===1990s-2000s===
With the renaissance of animation in the 1990s, Canadian animation further prospered with conventional fare from companies like Nelvana and Cinar (now part of WildBrain) while innovative work from [[Mainframe Entertainment]] such as the first [[computer animated]] series, ''[[ReBoot]]'' drew considerable success on its own.

Cinar was known for ''[[Caillou]]'', which aired from 1997 to 2010 and then in the United States on [[PBS]] from 2000 to 2021. Although ''Caillou'' initially received positive reviews during its original run,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/08/01/caillou/|title=Caillou|last=EW Staff|date=August 1, 2012|website=EW.com|language=EN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415075610/https://ew.com/article/2012/08/01/caillou/ |archive-date=April 15, 2020 |access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/07/tv/for-young-viewers-sharing-the-small-stuff.html|title=FOR YOUNG VIEWERS; Sharing the Small Stuff|date=October 7, 2001|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 17, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415081456/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/07/tv/for-young-viewers-sharing-the-small-stuff.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-04-ca-15135-story.html|title=Kids' Series Give Gentle Life Lessons Television Review|last=Heffley|first=Lynne|date=September 4, 2000|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322041601/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-04-ca-15135-story.html |archive-date=March 22, 2020 |access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref> it has drawn heavy viewer criticism since its cancellation,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/caillou-canceled-pbs-parents-happier-1234665631/|title='Caillou' Canceled By PBS & Parents Couldn't Be Happier|first=Denise|last=Petski|work=Deadline |date=January 6, 2021|accessdate=November 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/caillou-cancelled-pbs-kids-show-us-b1783742.html|title=Caillou: Controversial kid's show taken off air in US to delight of parents|first=Jacob|last=Stolworthy|work=[[The Independent]]|date=January 7, 2021|accessdate=November 23, 2023}}</ref> notably for the title character's negative behavior starting in the first and second seasons which resulted in four episodes of the show being banned by [[PBS Kids]].<ref name="freep">{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/life/family/2015/08/21/kids-watch-tv/32143669/|title=Beware the friends your kids meet on TV|first=Sara|last=Smith|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|publisher=[[USA Today]]|date=August 22, 2015|accessdate=November 23, 2023}}</ref>

The demand for animators during this time (and also during the slow period of the 1980s) caused a global search for excellent and skilled animators causing many talented Canadians to wander the globe to fill the demand. Many Canadians can be found worldwide in prominent positions in animation companies throughout the world. From [[Richard Williams (animator)|Richard Williams]] directing animation on the Oscar-winning ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'' in the late 1980s in Britain (while also working on his unfinished film ''[[The Thief and the Cobbler]]'' there as well) to others directing creating and supervising animation in television and commercial studios around the world including many prominent video games such as ''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Rayman]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]''. Canadians [[John Kricfalusi]] and [[Lynne Naylor]] were among the founders of the studio [[Spümcø]], creating series such  ''[[Ren and Stimpy]]'' and ''[[The Ripping Friends]]'' for television, and ''[[Weekend Pussy Hunt]]'' and ''[[The Goddamn George Liquor Program]]'' for the emerging web.

In 1997, Teletoon (a bilingual service with separate [[Télétoon|French-language]] and [[Teletoon|English-language feeds]]) was established as Canada's first dedicated animation television channel whose broadcast licence agreement stipulated [[List of programs broadcast by Teletoon|at least one original animated television series a season]]. The ''[[O Canada (TV series)|O Canada]]'' anthology series helped introduce American viewers to the works of the National Film Board.

Companies such as Montreal's [[Toon Boom]] and Toronto's [[Alias Systems Corporation|Alias Research]]/[[Wavefront Technologies]] and Side Effects Software have not only helped to define international technical standards, but have assumed a leadership role within the computer software industry. Toon Boom's "[[Harmony (software)|Harmony]]", Alias/Wavefront's "[[Maya (software)|Maya]]"  and Side Effects Software's "[[Houdini (software)|Houdini]]" are leading animation software packages used in many animated features and special effects. From shows as simple as ''[[The Simpsons]]'' (Harmony), ''[[South Park]]'' (Maya) and ''[[Angela Anaconda]]'' (Houdini) to special effects as fantastic and complex as those seen in the [[Harry Potter films]] (both software packages) and more.

In September 2000, [[Corus Entertainment]] acquired Nelvana for $540 million, complementing its children's television networks, [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]] and [[Treehouse TV]].<ref name="gandm-nelvanabuy">{{cite news|title=Corus to buy Nelvana for $540-million|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/corus-to-buy-nelvana-for-540-million/article1190841/|access-date=March 12, 2016|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref>

[[Flash cartoons]], which were originally released on the web, began making their way to television; such as [[March Entertainment]]'s ''[[Chilly Beach]]'' (2003-2006),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/chilly-beach-series-warms-net-tv|title=Chilly Beach Series Warms Up from Net to TV|first=Sarah|last=Baisley|website=[[Animation World Network]]|date=2003-08-05|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref> on the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]], as well as Ocnus Productions' ''[[Kevin Spencer (TV series)|Kevin Spencer]]'' (1999-2005) and [[Smiley Guy Studios]]' ''[[Odd Job Jack]]'' (2003-2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegate.ca/television/021528/review-odd-job-jack/|title=Review: 'Odd Job Jack' starring Don McKellar|first=W. Andrew|last=Powell|date=2003-03-20|access-date=2024-06-10|website=The Gate}}</ref> on the [[Comedy Network]]; also joined by the puppetry show ''[[Puppets Who Kill]]'' (2002-2006), which had similarly started as an independent [[Solo performance|one-man live theatre show]]. After three seasons, ''Chilly Beach'' expanded to include two [[The World Is Hot Enough|feature films]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sudbury.com/lifestyle/chilly-beach-movie-the-world-is-hot-enough-makes-national-debut-218386|website=Sudbury.com|title=Chilly Beach movie, The World is Hot Enough, makes national debut|date=2007-12-31|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref>

In a similar vein, the CGI science fiction comedy show ''[[Tripping the Rift]]'' aired between 2004 and 2007 on [[CTV Sci-Fi Channel|Space]] and [[Teletoon]]. It was animated by ''[[Heavy Metal 2000]]'' producer [[CinéGroupe]], after starting out as web shorts. The ''[[Happy Tree Friends (TV series)|Happy Tree Friends]]'' television series (2006) aired on [[G4 (American TV network)|G4]] was animated by Canadian studio [[Fatkat]], and based on the earlier [[Happy Tree Friends|web series]] of the same name. ''[[Queer Duck: The Movie]]'' (2006) was a Canadian-British-American co-production based on the [[Queer Duck|web series]] by [[Mike Reiss]], with similar humour also present in the series ''[[Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World]]'' (2007-2009).

This also signaled the adoption of animation more [[Adult animation|aimed at adults]] pioneered in the [[United States]] by ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and specialty blocks such as [[Adult Swim]]. Teletoon entered this market in September 2002 with its own adult programming blocks (later to be known as [[Teletoon at Night]] and [[Télétoon la nuit]]) and [[Teletoon at Night#Original series|original programming]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/undergrads-bombed-in-the-us-20-years-later-its-making-a-comeback-thanks-to-canada/|title='Undergrads' Bombed in the US. 20 Years Later, It's Making a Comeback, Thanks to Canada|first=Ben|last=Cohen|date=2020-06-26|access-date=2024-06-15|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]}}</ref> Teletoon originals that aired throughout the decade include ''[[Undergrads]]'' (2001) and ''[[Clone High]]'' (2002-2003) (both of which were co-produced with [[MTV]]), ''[[Daft Planet]]'' (2002), ''[[Delta State (TV series)|Delta State]]'' (2004-2005), ''[[Zeroman]]'' (2004), ''[[Bromwell High]]'' (2005), ''[[Station X (Canadian TV series)|Station X]]'' (2005), ''[[The Wrong Coast]]'' (2005), ''[[Sons of Butcher (TV series)|Sons of Butcher]]'' (2005-2007), ''[[Punch! (TV series)|Punch]]'' (2008), ''[[Life's a Zoo]]'' (2008-2009), and ''[[The Dating Guy]]'' (2008-2010).

[[G4 (Canada)|G4]] also launched its own [[Adult Digital Distraction]] on June 9, 2009, before being shut down by the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|CRTC]] in late 2011 for violating the station's mandate; the block returned again in 2012. [[Adult Swim (Canada)|Adult Swim]] later came to Canada itself on July 4, 2012. The [[Late night television|late-night]] [[Bionix (TV programming block)|Bionix]] block aired on [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] from September 10, 2004 to February 7, 2010, airing content aimed at an older audience than usual, [[YTV (TV channel)#Anime|including]] Japanese [[anime]].

The studio [[a.k.a. Cartoon]], led by animator [[Danny Antonucci]], successfully pitched a number of series to U.S. networks like [[MTV]] and [[Cartoon Network]]. These have included the critically panned ''[[The Brothers Grunt]]'', the anthology ''[[Cartoon Sushi]]'', and the better-received ''[[Ed, Edd n Eddy]]''.

Similar success was attained by [[Cuppa Coffee Studios]] working on series like ''[[Celebrity Deathmatch]]'', ''[[Starveillance]]'', ''[[Glenn Martin, DDS]]'', and ''[[Ugly Americans (TV series)|Ugly Americans]]''.

[[Nelvana]] had even experimented in the 1990s with series such as [[Brad Bird]]'s ''[[Family Dog (TV series)|Family Dog]]'' (1993), the British [[Channel 4]] co-production ''[[Bob and Margaret]]'' (1998-2001), ''[[Committed (Canadian TV series)|Committed]]'' (2001), and ''[[John Callahan's Quads!]]'' (2001-2002).

Other Canada-UK co-productions have included ''[[Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show!]]'', ''[[Bromwell High]]'', and ''[[Warren United]]''. As well as airing ''Bob and Margaret'', [[Global Television Network|Global]] later forayed into the adult animation space with ''[[Producing Parker]]'' (2009-2011) and ''[[Bob & Doug (TV series)|Bob & Doug]]'' (2009-2011), the former by ''[[The Raccoons]]'' creator [[Kevin Gillis]] and the latter based on ''[[Second City Television|SCTV]]'' [[List of Bob and Doug McKenzie appearances on SCTV|sketch]] characters [[Bob and Doug McKenzie]]. The super-hero series ''[[Acadieman]]'' aired from 2005 to 2009 as a community channel production on [[Rogers TV]]. The stop-motion ''[[What It's Like Being Alone]]'' aired on CBC in 2006, with the puppetry show ''[[Mr. Meaty]]'' (2006-2009) also featuring darker themes.

[[Aboriginal Peoples Television Network|APTN]] also aired its own adult animation, ''[[By the Rapids]]'' (2008-2012), a landmark for [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|indigenous]] animation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2008/11/13/aboriginal_cartoon_series_5_years_in_the_making.html|title=Aboriginal cartoon series 5 years in the making|last=Szklarski|first=Cassandra|date=2008-11-13|website=[[Toronto Star]]|access-date=2017-04-05}}</ref> [[APTN Kids]] has also broadcast cartoons such ''[[Bizou (TV series)|Bizou]]'' (2007), ''[[Animism (TV series)|Animism]]'' (2013), ''[[Kagagi]]'' (2014), and ''[[Lil Glooscap and the Legends of Turtle Island]]'' (2022), as well as the stop motion series ''[[Wapos Bay]]'' (2005-2011) and ''[[Guardians Evolution]]'' (2014-2015), with the former produced with the assistance of the [[National Film Board of Canada]].

[[Jennifer Pertsch]] and [[Tom McGillis]] of [[Fresh TV]] created a number of popular shows for [[Teletoon]], such as ''[[6teen]]'' (2004-2010) and ''[[Stoked (TV series)|Stoked]]'' (2009-2013), as well as a broader franchise with ''[[Total Drama]]'' (2007-).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channelcanada.com/Article1894.html |title=From the creators of the award winning series 6TEEN, the number one show on TELETOON, comes a truly unique reality show for kids |accessdate=2009-03-21 |work=www.channelcanada.com |publisher=ChannelCanada.com |date=2007-06-24 |archive-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223064754/http://www.channelcanada.com/Article1894.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ryan |last=Ball |title=Cartoon Network Gets Total Drama Action |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/9125|work=animationmagazine.net |publisher=[[Animation Magazine]] Inc. |date=27 October 2008 |accessdate=21 March 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channelcanada.com/Article2419.html |title=Fresh TV Inc. Celebrates Three Gemini Nominations for Top Rated Shows |accessdate=2009-03-21 |work=www.channelcanada.com |publisher=ChannelCanada.com |date=2008-08-27 }}</ref>

Further experimentation and exploration in the art of animation which began with the National Film Board of Canada and the works of [[Norman Mclaren]] has continued through the decades through the techniques and films of other NFB animators such as [[Jacques Drouin]], [[Christopher Hinton (animator)|Chris Hinton]] (''[[Blackfly (film)|Blackfly]]''), [[Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis]] (''[[When the Day Breaks]]''), [[Janet Perlman]] and many others. A few Independent organizations such as the Toronto Animated Image Society in Toronto and especially the Quickdraw Animation Society in Calgary have also formed and continue to contribute, explore the art of animation and produce new works by emerging and established Canadian animators and artists. This exploration and blending of assorted and unusual techniques can be seen in the many boutique animation companies and independent animators that have sprung up throughout Canada and has continued to propel Canada's reputation of interesting and innovative animation techniques. The Board also co-produced the feature film ''[[The Human Plant]]'' in 1996.

[[CinéGroupe]] released the animated features ''[[Lion of Oz]]'' (2000), ''[[Heavy Metal 2000]]'' (2000), and ''[[Pinocchio 3000]]'' (2004). A multinational co-production ''[[The Triplets of Belleville]]'' (2003) was nominated for two Academy Awards. A stop-motion feature film ''[[Edison and Leo]]'' was released in 2008. Nelvana produced the made for television film ''[[Wayside: The Movie]]''  in 2005, leading to a two season [[Wayside (TV series)|series]]. A [[direct-to-video]] [[3D animation|CGI]] feature ''[[The Nuttiest Nutcracker]]'' was released in 1999 by [[Dan Krech Productions]].

The [[Ottawa International Animation Festival]] which takes place every fall in Ottawa Ontario is one of the largest and most respected animation festivals for drawing professional, commercial, independent and amateur animators and animation enthusiasts alike from all over the world.  It is sponsored by the Association internationale du film d'animation, better known as [[ASIFA]] with chapters throughout the world.

===2010s-2020s===
In August 2011, NFB Animation Studio executive producer David Verrall retired, after more than 34 years at the NFB including 14 years as head of its English-language animation unit. Verrall produced or executive produced 240 NFB animated films, such as ''[[Bob's Birthday]]'', ''[[Ryan (film)|Ryan]]'' and ''[[The Danish Poet]]'' with each winning [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film|Academy Awards]]. He was succeeded by Roddy McManus.<ref name=Verrall>{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Brendan|title=Sad to go, but not left reeling|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movie-guide/left+reeling/5254797/story.html#ixzz1V6mrPKNS|access-date=15 August 2011|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]|date=15 August 2011}}</ref>

Filipino/Canadian animator [[Dominic Panganiban]] started a [[YouTube]] channel in August 2012 that as of November 2018 has over 800 million views and 6 million subscribers, ranking him in the 658th place for most subscribed. The channel generally posts videos Domics animates in which he tells a story about his life, an aspect of it, or his thoughts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2014/12/17/channel-frederator-185-new-channels/ |title=There Goes Channel Frederator, Growing Again With 185 New Channels |last=Brouwer |first=Bree |website=Tubefilter |publication-date=2014-12-17}}</ref>

In 2013, the film ''[[The Legend of Sarila]]'' was released, cited as the first Canadian theatrically released [[3D animated]] feature film<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/movies/travails-of-legend-of-sarila-canadian-animated-3-d-film.html|title=For a Plucky Upstart, Icy Industry Tundra|first=Robert|last=Ito|date=2014-02-07|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2024-01-31}}</ref> (''[[The Nuttiest Nutcracker]]'' had been released all the way back in 1999, but only as [[direct-to-video]]). [[10th Ave. Productions]] would continue releasing features; namely ''[[Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly and Simon]]'' (2017), ''[[Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa]]'' (2021) and ''[[Katak: The Brave Beluga]]'' (2023).

On March 4, 2013, [[Corus Entertainment]] announced that it would acquire full ownership of Teletoon Canada Inc.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bce-to-sell-assets-to-corus-as-part-of-astral-deal/article9272784/ BCE to sell assets to Corus as part of Astral deal], ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' (via [[Reuters]] and The Canadian Press), March 4, 2013.</ref> Corus's purchase was cleared by the [[Competition Bureau]] two weeks later on March 18;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/competition-bureau-clears-corus-acquisition-of-astral-assets/article9886090/|title=Competition Bureau clears Corus acquisition of Astral assets|author=The Canadian Press (uncredited staff)|author-link=The Canadian Press|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=March 18, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2013|archive-date=July 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724004155/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/competition-bureau-clears-corus-acquisition-of-astral-assets/article9886090/|url-status=live}}</ref> the transaction was approved by the CRTC on December 20, 2013,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=December 20, 2013 |title=CRTC approves Corus purchase of Teletoon, Historia and Series+ |url=http://playbackonline.ca/2013/12/20/crtc-approves-corus-purchase-of-teletoon-historia-and-series/ |url-status=live |journal=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]] |location=[[Toronto]] |publisher=[[Brunico Communications]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223052331/http://playbackonline.ca/2013/12/20/crtc-approves-corus-purchase-of-teletoon-historia-and-series |archive-date=December 23, 2013}}</ref> and completed on January 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corusent.com/home/Corporate/PressReleases/tabid/1697/Default.aspx?Id=2606 |title=Press Release - Corus Entertainment Completes Purchase of Historia, Séries+ and TELETOON Canada Inc. |publisher=Corusent.com |date=January 1, 2014 |access-date=January 8, 2014 |archive-date=January 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108055751/http://corusent.com/home/Corporate/PressReleases/tabid/1697/Default.aspx?Id=2606 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2014, Canadian animation studio [[ToonBox Entertainment]] produced the Canadian-South Korean co-production ''[[The Nut Job]]'', directed by [[Peter Lepeniotis]] and starring [[Will Arnett]]. While it garnered negative reviews, it was one of the highest-budgeted and highest-grossing Canadian films of all time, with a cost of $42 million and a worldwide gross of $107 million as of September 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=nutjob.htm |title=The Nut Job (2014) - Box Office Mojo |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 27, 2014 |access-date=2014-09-27}}</ref> The film would receive a sequel, ''[[The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature]]'' (2017), and the studio would also release ''[[Spark: A Space Tail]]'' (2016). CarpeDiem Film would release the French language films ''[[Snowtime!]]'' (2015), ''[[Racetime]]'' (2018), and the spin-off series ''[[Snowsnaps]]'' (2018), with English versions released by [[eOne]].

[[Nitrogen Studios]] produced the animation for the adult animated feature film ''[[Sausage Party]]'' starring [[Seth Rogen]] in 2016, although it became embroiled in controversy over working conditions during the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/17/for-audiences-sausage-party-was-a-laugh-riot-for-some-animators-it-was-a-nightmare/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308100915/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/17/for-audiences-sausage-party-was-a-laugh-riot-for-some-animators-it-was-a-nightmare/ |archive-date=2017-03-08 |access-date=2024-06-15 |date=2016-08-17 |title=The working conditions for some ‘Sausage Party’ animators were pretty terrible |first=Stephanie |last=Merry |website=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> As Cinesite Vancouver it would also produce ''[[The Addams Family (2019 film)|The Addams Family]]'' (2019) and ''[[The Addams Family 2]]'' (2021) for [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] and [[Universal Pictures]]. The 2022 [[Pixar Animation Studios]] film ''[[Turning Red]]'' is set in [[Toronto]] in 2002, and directed by Canadian born filmmaker [[Domee Shi]], prompting debates about whether the film qualifies as [[Canadian content]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/streamers-required-to-feature-cancon-1.6415661|title=Streamers may be required to feature more Cancon. But what should qualify as Canadian?|first=Marie|last=Woolf|date=2022-04-11|access-date=2024-06-16|website=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/politics/disney-canada-streaming-bill-c-11-222326.html|title=Should ‘Turning Red’ Be Considered ‘Canadian Content’? Disney Says Yes|first=Jamie|last=Lang|date=2022-10-19|access-date=2024-06-16|website=[[Cartoon Brew]]}}</ref> Pixar had briefly opened a Vancouver branch called [[Pixar Canada]] in 2010, but it closed by 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ladurantaye|first1=Steve|last2=Bailey|first2=Ian|title=Pixar closes its Vancouver studio after 3 years|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-film-industry-strong-despite-pixars-exit/article14774575/|publisher=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=2024-06-16}}</ref> The 2022 film ''[[The Sea Beast (2022 film)|The Sea Beast]]'' by Canadian-American animator [[Chris Williams (director)|Chris Williams]] (best known for the 2014 [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature]] winner ''[[Big Hero 6 (film)|Big Hero 6]]'') proved a commercial and critical success for [[Netflix Animation]], with production assisted by [[Sony Pictures Imageworks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/oscar-nomination-the-sea-beast-director-chris-williams-1.6773366|title=Kitchener's Chris Williams hopes to strike Oscar gold again with The Sea Beast|first=Cara|last=Nickerson|date=2023-03-10|access-date=2024-06-16|website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/netflix-the-sea-beast-animated-movie-chris-williams-182755532.html|website=[[Yahoo! News]]|title=Canadian director of Netflix's 'The Sea Beast' creates a must-see animated adventure film|first=Elisabetta|last=Bianchini|date=2022-06-08|access-date=2024-06-16}}</ref>

A co-production between animators in Canada, France and Belgium, the 2015 feature film ''[[April and the Extraordinary World]]'' released to positive critical reception.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2016/03/gkids-dates-april-and-the-extraordinary-world-release/|title=GKIDS Dates ‘April and the Extraordinary World’ Release|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|date=2016-03-04|access-date=2024-06-16|website=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://canfilmday.ca/film/avril-et-le-monde-truque-april-and-the-extraordinary-world/|title=Avril et le monde truqué (April and the Extraordinary World)|website=National Canadian Film Day|access-date=2024-06-16}}</ref> A later Canada-French co-production was released in 2022 called ''[[Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/canadian-animated-feature-dounia-wins-japan-prize-grand-prix/|title=Canadian Animated Feature ‘Dounia’ Wins Japan Prize Grand Prix|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|date=2022-11-04|access-date=2024-06-16|website=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref> A French-language drama film ''[[Ville Neuve]]'' was released in 2018 by [[Félix Dufour-Laperrière]], who in 2021 released the animated documentary ''[[Archipelago (2021 film)|Archipelago]]''. ''[[Asphalt Watches]]'' was released in 2013 and screened at the [[2013 Toronto International Film Festival]]. [[Guru Studio]] helped co-produce the film ''[[The Breadwinner (film)|The Breadwinner]]'' (2017) with acclaimed Irish studio [[Cartoon Saloon]] based on the [[The Breadwinner (novel)|novel]] by [[Deborah Ellis]], as well as producing ''[[Justin Time (TV series)|Justin Time]]'', ''[[Ever After High]]'', and the international children's hit ''[[PAW Patrol]]'', spawning multiple feature films.

[[Slap Happy Cartoons]] has produced several productions for [[Warner Bros.]], including for ''[[Tom and Jerry]]'' and ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]''. On October 26, 2016, American media company [[Frederator Networks, Inc.]] (of ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]'' and ''[[Adventure Time]]'') created a merger with Canadian animation studio [[Rainmaker Entertainment]] (of ''[[ReBoot]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers]]'') and Ezrin Hirsh, Inc. (partners are producers [[Bob Ezrin]] and [[Michael Hirsh (producer)|Michael Hirsh]] of [[Nelvana]]) to form [[Wow Unlimited Media]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.awn.com/news/rainmaker-entertainment-acquires-frederator-rebranding-wow|title=Rainmaker Entertainment Acquires Frederator, Rebranding As WOW!|last=Wolfe|first=Jennifer|date=October 26, 2016|access-date=June 22, 2018|publisher=Animation World Network}}</ref> Comic book publisher [[Arcana Studio]] opened its animation division in 2012, producing features such as ''[[The Clockwork Girl]]'' (2014), ''[[Pixies (film)|Pixies]]'' (2015), ''[[The Steam Engines of Oz]]'' (2017), ''[[Panda vs. Aliens]]'' (2023), and ''[[Heroes of the Golden Masks]]'' (2023), as well as several films spun from ''[[Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom]]'' (2016).

A 13-episode animated series based on the hit live action Canadian sitcom ''[[Corner Gas]]'' (2004-2009)  was announced on December 19, 2016. The series features the voices of many of the original series' cast members, except for [[Janet Wright]] who died in 2016. It was scheduled to début in 2017 on the [[Comedy Network]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3136435/canadian-sitcom-smash-corner-gas-to-be-rebooted-as-animated-series|title=Canadian sitcom smash 'Corner Gas' to be rebooted as animated series|work=CTV|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> but was ultimately delayed until April 2, 2018 under the official title of ''[[Corner Gas Animated]]'' with animation by [[Smiley Guy Studios]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toonboom.com/corner-gas-animated-is-canadas-answer-to-the-adult-animation-trend|title=Corner Gas Animated is Canada's answer to the adult animation trend|first=Philip|last=Mak|date=2018-09-25|access-date=2024-06-14|website=[[Toon Boom]]}}</ref> Its first episode, "Bone Dry", was the highest rated premiere in the history of the Comedy Network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cornergas.com/corner-gas-animated-becomes-watched-series-premiere-history-comedy-network/|title=CORNER GAS ANIMATED Becomes the Most-Watched Series Premiere in the History of The Comedy Network|date=April 9, 2018|publisher=CornerGas.com|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref> The fourth and final season aired in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7949887/corner-gas-animated/|title='Corner Gas Animated' to end after 4th season|date=2021-06-14|publisher=[[Global News]]|first=Victoria|last=Ahearn|access-date=2024-06-16}}</ref> A similar revival of a live-action hit, ''[[Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series]]'', launched in 2019 for [[Netflix]]. As well as the aforementioned ''[[Bob & Doug (TV series)|Bob & Doug]]'' (2009-2011), a previous animated version of a live-action character was ''[[Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire]]'' (1992) featuring [[Super Dave Osborne]] from ''[[Bizarre (TV series)|Bizarre]]''.

Corus' adult blocks ([[Teletoon at Night]], [[Adult Swim (Canadian TV channel)#As a programming block|Adult Swim Canada]], and [[Télétoon la nuit]]) continued airing new original series; such as ''[[Knuckleheads]]'' (2012), ''[[Crash Canyon]]'' (2011-2013), ''[[Fugget About It]]'' (2012–2016), ''[[2 Nuts and a Richard!]]'' (2015), and ''[[The Bizarre Stories of Professor Zarbi]]'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2012/08/teletoon-at-night-announces-fall-lineup-crash-canyon-and-fugget-about-it-start-dates/|title=TELETOON AT NIGHT ANNOUNCES FALL LINEUP-CRASH CANYON AND FUGGET ABOUT IT START DATES|website=Bubble Blabber|date=2012-08-02|first=John|last=Schwarz|access-date=2024-06-15}}</ref> The English-language blocks were shut down in 2019, ahead of a re-launch of [[Adult Swim (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase Action]] as a full-time Adult Swim channel (the first of its kind for the brand); while Teletoon's English channel was relaunched as a new incarnation of [[Cartoon Network (Canada)]] in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blogto.com/film/2023/02/teletoon-disappear-canadian-tv-channel-25-years/|title=Teletoon to disappear after more than 25 years as a Canadian TV channel|first=Lauren|last=O'Neil|date=2023-02-22|website=[[BlogTO]]|access-date=2024-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Jamie|title=After 25 Years, Canada's Teletoon Channel Is Ending. It Will Rebrand as Cartoon Network.|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/teletoon-cartoon-network-boomerang-corus-entertainment-226200.html|website=[[Cartoon Brew]]|date=February 22, 2023|access-date=February 22, 2023|archive-date=February 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222182210/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/teletoon-cartoon-network-boomerang-corus-entertainment-226200.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Corus continued to commission adult animated shows for [[Télétoon la nuit]] and the Adult Swim channel; such as ''[[Doomsday Brothers]]'' (2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2019/10/04/portfolio-branches-into-adult-animation-with-doomsday-brothers/|title=Portfolio branches into adult animation with Doomsday Brothers|first=Jordan|last=Pinto|website=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]|date=2019-10-04|access-date=2024-06-15}}</ref> and ''[[Red Ketchup#Animated series|Red Ketchup]]'' (2023).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/06/corus-announces-canadian-adult-swim-original-red-ketchup-amid-200-hours-of-new-content/|title=Corus Announces Canadian Adult Swim Original 'Red Ketchup' Amid 200 Hours of New Content|website=[[Animation Magazine]]|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|date=2022-06-02|access-date=2024-06-15}}</ref> ''[[Psi Cops]]'', which premiered in 2023, was the first original series to be produced solely for the Adult Swim channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2023/06/02/vancouver-based-adult-animated-tv-series-launching-sunday/|title=Vancouver-based adult animated TV series launching Sunday|first=Shawn|last=Ayers|date=2023-06-02|access-date=2024-06-15|website=[[CityNews]]}}</ref>

Other Canadian adult animated [[streaming media|streaming]] shows that premiered during the decade include [[Look Mom! Productions]]' ''[[Gary and His Demons]]'' (2018-) and ''[[Doomlands]]'' (2022-); as well as ''[[Mother Up!]]'' (2013), and ''[[Young Love (TV series)|Young Love]]'' (2023-).<ref>{{cite news|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|title=Hulu Announces Premiere Dates for Original Series 'Fugget About It', 'Mother Up' & More|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/28/hulu-announces-premiere-dates-for-original-series-fugget-about-it-mother-up-more/199896/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915091747/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/08/28/hulu-announces-premiere-dates-for-original-series-fugget-about-it-mother-up-more/199896/|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2013|access-date=26 October 2013|date=28 August 2013}}</ref>

[[Atomic Cartoons]] (best known for ''[[Atomic Betty]]'' (2004-2008)), has co-produced several cartoons for American distribution; including ''[[Click and Clack's As the Wrench Turns]]'' (2008), ''[[Teenage Euthanasia]]'' (2021-2023), ''[[Little Demon (TV series)|Little Demon]]'' (2022) and ''[[Oddballs (TV series)|Oddballs]]'' (2022-2023). The studio is currently producing ''[[Super Team Canada]]'' (2024), the first animated original for [[Crave (streaming service)|Crave]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellmedia.ca/the-lede/press/from-will-arnett-crave-announces-new-original-adult-animated-comedy-series-super-team-canada/|title=From Will Arnett, Crave Announces New Original Adult Animated Comedy Series, SUPER TEAM CANADA|website=[[Bell Media]]|date=2024-02-02|first=Lana|last=Castleman}}</ref>

''[[The Cuphead Show!]]'' (2022) was produced for [[Netflix]] based on the Canadian developed video game, ''[[Cuphead]]'', inspired by the [[golden age of American animation]]. The animation was handled by [[Lighthouse Studios]], a co-venture between [[Mercury Filmworks]] and Cartoon Saloon.

The [[Kratt Brothers]], previously of the puppetry and claymation based ''[[Zoboomafoo]]'' (1999-2001), launched a new cartoon series ''[[Wild Kratts]]'' on [[public television]] stations [[PBS Kids]] in the United States and [[TVOKids]] and [[Knowledge Network]] in Canada in 2011, and as of 2024 remains in production. ''Zoboomafoo'' had featured the talents of Canadian puppeteer Gord Robertson, of [[The Jim Henson Company]], while ''Wild Kratts'' features animation by [[9 Story Media Group]].

Alongside domestic productions such as ''[[Almost Naked Animals]]'', ''[[Camp Lakebottom]]'', ''[[Futz!]]'', and ''[[Fugget About It]]''; 9 Story has also produced later seasons of ''[[Arthur (TV series)|Arthur]]'', ''[[Clifford the Big Red Dog]]'', ''[[The Magic School Bus Rides Again]]'', ''[[Creative Galaxy]]'', ''[[Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood]]'', and ''[[Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum]]''.

By the 2020s, ''[[Cyberchase]]'', which originally premiered in 2002, had been running for fifth-teen seasons and 148 episodes; making it one of the longest-running Canadian animated shows. After the first five seasons where handled by Nelvana, [[PiP Animation Services]] (who also co-produced the film ''[[Lamya's Poem]]'' (2021)) produced the series' animation since 2007.

[[Jam Filled Entertainment]] took over animation of the British classic ''[[Thomas & Friends]]'' from 2013 until its conclusion in 2021, while previous series from 2008 on having been produced by [[Nitrogen Studios]].

Notable NFB shorts from this era included [[Torill Kove]]'s ''[[Me and My Moulton]]'' and [[Theodore Ushev]]'s ''[[Blind Vaysha]]'', each were nominated for an Oscar.<ref name="87th">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30835975|title=Oscars 2015: Nominations list|accessdate=15 January 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|date=15 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2017 2017|Oscars.org]</ref> The Board also co-produced the feature film ''[[Window Horses]]'' (2016) with [[Ann Marie Fleming]] and [[Sandra Oh]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vlessing|first1=Etan|title=Sandra Oh Launches Indiegogo Campaign to Finance Animated Feature (Exclusive)|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sandra-launches-indiegogo-campaign-finance-744398|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 28, 2014|accessdate=November 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name = blog>{{cite web|url=http://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2016/06/14/window-horses-annecy-premiere/|title=Window Horses: Discover the NFB's First Feature-Length Animation to Screen at Annecy in Almost 20 Years|date=14 June 2016|work=NFB/blog|publisher=National Film Board of Canada|accessdate=11 August 2016}}</ref> Fleming had previously worked with them on the short film ''[[I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors]]'' (2010).

Canadian music video director Winston Hacking made the satirical 2018 animated [[collage film]] ''[[Erodium Thunk]]'' out of old magazine ads and TV commercials.<ref>[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/know-your-indie-filmmaker/know-your-indie-filmmaker-winston-hacking-225677.html Know Your Indie Filmmaker: Winston Hacking|Cartoon Brew]</ref><ref>[https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-spotlight-collage Binocular Briefs - Spotlight on Collage|Animation World Network]</ref>

''[[Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman's Apprentice]]'' (2020), featuring Canadian [[Inuit]] characters, won Best Independent Short Film at the Festival Stop Montreal.<ref>David Venn, [https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/zacharias-kunuk-explores-inuit-shamanism-in-short-animated-film/ "Zacharias Kunuk explores Inuit shamanism in short animated film"]. ''[[Nunatsiaq News]]'', August 26, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://deadline.com/2021/12/oscars-shortlists-2022-94th-academy-awards-1234900247/ Oscar Shortlists 2022: Documentary, International, Shorts... - Deadline]</ref><ref>[https://www.stopmodept.com/the-shamans-apprentice The Shaman's Apprentice — Stop Motion Department]</ref>

An eight-part documentary about the 1990s CGI pioneer ''[[ReBoot]]'', entitled ''ReBoot ReWind'', was announced to launch on [[Telus Storyhive]] on September 24, 2024. This effort coincided with the remastering of the series from its original [[D-1 (Sony)|D-1 tapes]], with the first episode released on [[YouTube]] on September 10, 2024 to mark its thirtieth anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/arts/as-reboot-turns-30-super-fans-launch-a-documentary-on-the-groundbreaking-canadian-cgi-cartoon-1.7331310|title=As ReBoot turns 30, super fans launch a documentary on the groundbreaking Canadian CGI cartoon|first=Tim|last=Ford|website=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC Arts]]|date=2024-09-23|access-date=2024-09-25}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Animation|Canada|History}}
*[[:Category:Canadian animators|Canadian animators]]
*[[History of animation]]
*[[History of Canada]]
*[[Cinema of Canada]]
*[[Independent animation]]
*[[List of Canadian animated television series]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Works cited==
* {{cite book|last=Clandfield |first=David |title=Canadian Film |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=1987 |url=https://archive.org/details/canadianfilm0000clan |isbn=0195405811}}
* {{cite book|last=Evans |first=Gary |title=In the National Interest: A Chronicle of the National Film Board of Canada from 1949 to 1989 |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |date=1991 |url=https://archive.org/details/innationalintere0000evan |isbn=0802027849}}
* {{cite book|last=Mazurkewich |first=Karen |title=Cartoon Capers: The History of Canadian Animators |publisher=[[McArthur & Company Publishing]] |date=1999 |url=https://archive.org/details/cartooncapershis0000mazu |isbn=1-55278-093-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Melnyk |first=George |author-link=George Melnyk |title=One Hundred Years of Canadian Cinema |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |date=2004 |url=https://archive.org/details/onehundredyearso0000meln |isbn=080203568X}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Robinson |first=Chris |title=Canadian Animation: Looking for a Place to Happen |publisher=John Libbey Publishing |date=2008 |url=https://archive.org/details/canadiananimatio0000robi |isbn=9780861966882}}
* {{cite book|last=Saint-Pierre |first=Marie-Josée |title=Women and Film Animation: A Feminist Corpus at the National Film Board of Canada 1939-1989 |publisher=[[CRC Press]] |date=2024 |isbn=9781032685366}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090912000640/http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/animation/ Animation at the National Film Board of Canada].

{{CinemaofCanada}}
{{Animation industry in Canada}}
{{Animation}}
{{Canadian history}}

[[Category:Canadian animation| ]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Canada]]
[[Category:History of animation by country|Canadian]]
[[Category:History of art in Canada|Animation]]
[[Category:National Film Board of Canada]]