In celebration of the 50th anniversary of "Star Trek: The Animated Series" later this year, CBS Studios is preparing something special for Trekkies around the world, according to a recent Fox 5 San Diego article. Following the legacy of "deeply weird," fans can expect an extraneous event and new comic books as a tribute to the landmark series.
During a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that five all-new animated short films would be created in the style of "Star Trek: The Animated Series." These animated spots will feature fan-favorite characters from the Star Trek universe, such as Will Riker, voiced by Jonathan Frakes; Saru, voiced by Doug Jones; and Quark, voiced by Armin Shimerman. These shorts come from "Star Trek: Short Treks" and "Adult Swim" creative consultant Casper Kelly, who was introduced alongside Star Trek Brand Development Vice President John Van Citters, as mentioned in TrekCore report.
John Van Citters explained how the original series allowed Star Trek to explore and build new worlds in ways that the live-action show would not have been able to achieve. The new shorts, Kelly added, would keep the original animation style and playful absurdity that made "Star Trek: The Animated Series" special. Though an exact release date for the short films is yet to be set, the premiere will take place later this year.
Apart from the animated short films, fans can also look forward to a unique comic book created by Casper Kelly and IDW Publishing titled "Star Trek: The Animated Celebration Presents The Scheimer Barrier." A sneak peek of the comic book was revealed during the panel, with its debut scheduled for New York Comic-Con in October, as reported in the same TrekCore article. Consequently, digital versions of the comic book will be available in September, and printed copies can be picked up at IDW Publishing's booth at New York Comic-Con.
As Screen Rant mentioned, "Star Trek: The Animated Series" premiered in 1973 as a continuation of the beloved "Star Trek: The Original Series." Although "The Animated Series" only lasted for two seasons, it was critically acclaimed at the time and served as the initial animation venture for the thriving franchise, continuing with modern shows such as "Star Trek: Lower Decks" and "Star Trek: Prodigy."
Despite the questionable canon status of "Star Trek: The Animated Series," its significance in the franchise history cannot be ignored. During its time on air, the series earned an Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment – Children's Series, and played a significant role in keeping fans interested in "Star Trek: The Original Series" via syndication. Its success demonstrated that not only was Star Trek a viable format for animation, but also highlighted the feasibility of marketing the franchise to younger audiences – a trend that remains relevant in today's Star Trek offerings.
With the upcoming animated shorts and unique comic book, the Star Trek franchise aims to pay homage to "The Animated Series" and celebrate an important milestone in the franchise's history. The 50th-anniversary timeline exhibits a sincere appreciation for the animated series that has influenced the success of its spiritual successors, such as "Star Trek: Lower Decks," and has left an indelible mark on Star Trek lore for fans old and new alike.
