Genndy Tartakovsky has been responsible for some of the best, most creative, and most iconic animated series of the past two decades, including Dexter’s Lab, Samurai Jack, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (you know, before it was CGI).
Most recently, Tartakovsky created Sym-Bionic Titan, an animated series about an alien princess, her bodyguard, and their robot, sent to Earth disguised as American high school students to escape the war ravaging their home planet. Frankly, it’s a fantastic show, which is why it deeply saddens me to learn that it has not been renewed.
According to a “Cartoon Networker” who spoke to the TAG Blog:
“Genddy’s moved on to Sony Pictures Animation. Titan got competitive ratings with other action shows, but what shut it down was it didn’t have enough toys connected to it. If you don’t have the [toy sales], the studios don’t want to renew for another season.”
Sym-Bionic Titan is a hilarious, action-packed, and beautifully-rendered homage to anime such as Voltron and Castle in the Sky and 1980s John Hughes films like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. (There’s even an episode entirely dedicated to satirizing The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.) Though the action and adventure portions of the show would appeal to animation fans, young and old, the humor is geared toward teenagers, as well as twenty-somethings and above – hence the obvious jokes at the expense of shows like Gossip Girl or The Vampire Diaries.
Check out an awesome clip below:
I think it goes without saying that, if this turns out to be true, Cartoon Network has made a massive mistake. So what if Titan doesn’t have enough toys for the merchandise-addicted children of America to purchase? And so what if the show’s ratings weren’t particularly amazing to start? Let it breathe! Let it grow! Produce more toys, if you must! Advertise this show to those adults who watched Dexter’s Lab and Samurai Jack when they were kids. Genndy Tartakovsky is a brand name unto himself, and it’s a shame that Cartoon Network cannot comprehend that. Which is to say, if this turns out to be true.
For fans heartbroken about the rumored cancellation, myself included, keep in mind – Cartoon Network hasn’t officially canceled the show as of yet. That said, they haven’t renewed it either, and with a full series slate next year that includes Green Lantern: The Animated Series, DC Nation (a show that spotlights various DC Comics properties), the Thundercats remake, Level Up, How to Train Your Dragon, The Looney Tunes Show, and more, it’s looking more and more likely that this top-notch series is doomed.
One of the rumors, though entirely unconfirmed, is that Tartakovsky has moved on to direct Hotel Transylvania at Sony Pictures Animation, an animated film utilizing the classic movie monsters of yore (Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, et cetera).
If true, I’ve suddenly become interested in Hotel Transylvania.
Sym-Bionic Titan airs the last two episodes of the season – and probably the series – on April 2nd and April 9th @9:30AM on Cartoon Network.
Source: TAG Blog [via Bleeding Cool]
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Hey guys, I’ve been following this for over a year and i’m glad SBT got to see the light of day late night at CN, but more importantly I want to avoid having another good show be canceled. I’m talking about Young Justice, I think it’s a great and serious show that CN has tried to kill recently and apparently they did just that. I was upset when SBT got canned, but I will try to spread the word to avoid it not getting another season. If you guys have seen the show and agree that it should not be replaced with s***ty shows than please sign the petition
https://www.change.org/petitions/cartoon-network-continue-young-justice#share
How is it that a show like Annoying Orange keeps going and good shows with great artwors, serious and compelling stories are shut down.
“How is it that a show like Annoying Orange keeps going and good shows with great artwors, serious and compelling stories are shut down.”
Same reason “adult” tv is inundated with cop, law and sh*tcom dramas. Just another way to keep the masses dumbed down and uninspired. Have a look at the movie “mars needs mums”. A decent movie with a really good message but because of this it didn’t get the exposure it deserved. Same with SBT. Not trying to school you just adding to the convo
“How is it that a show like Annoying Orange keeps going and good shows with great artwors, serious and compelling stories are shut down.”
Same reason “adult” tv is inundated with cop, law and sh1tcom dramas. Just another way to keep the masses dumbed down and uninspired. Have a look at the movie “mars needs mums”. A decent movie with a really good message but because of this it didn’t get the exposure it deserved. Same with SBT. Not trying to school you just adding to the convo
You make valid points, and I have to agree with you that it does feel that way sometimes. Shows like Fred, Annoying orange and even sometimes the supposed mainstream Ben 10, Adventure time, & Regular show do seem to try and keep things way too random and dumb.
Come on guys if we all try we can bring this show back it will be hard but worth it come on let me now if ur in
you got my support. I saw one ep of Young justice, hooked.
I agree. They should kill shows like The Regular Show, Johnny Bravo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Angry Birds, and the other stupid shows. Give us more shows like Sym-Bionic Titan, Voltron, G-Force, and Johnny Quest. The older Scooby-Doo was good, too, although the last ‘make’ on it stunk. They made a good show into a farce, with that remake, just like the live-action movies.
I agree. They should kill shows like The Regular Show, Johnny Bravo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Angry Birds, and the other stupid shows. Give us more shows like Sym-Bionic Titan, Voltron, G-Force, and Johnny Quest. The older Scooby-Doo was good, too, although the last ‘make’ on it, Mystery Inc, stunk. They made a good show into a farce, with that remake, just like they did with tthe live-action movies.
Hey,
go easy on the SpongeBob please. Good show for young children!
An original creation that has entertained many a young person
and its creator should be applauded for his brain child not put
down.
Just a thought.
A lot of the shows you listed are instant classics, perhaps because back then it was more about quality than profit. A lot of those shows did not do so well at first actually, I know Scooby Doo struggled at some point, but with time the result was a decent show with good profits. CN can have both, but are too eager to please mindless 5 year olds.
Mindless 5 year olds?
Mindless teenagers?
The “masses” have the psychological profile of a 5-year old child. I see what you did Edgar.
These days 5 year olds are smarter than “the masses”….lets just call them “the dumb ****’*” 5 year olds deserve better than being associated with stupidity just because of their age.
What about loiter squad how come they never got canceled it has no morals or values behind it
What can we do to help promote a second season?
lets say we are in.. what are we going to do?
I’m not sure how but i found this petition. Maybe just give it a shot! it might get to them if we get a lot of people to sign it so please SHARE
http://www.change.org/petitions/cartoon-network-and-adult-swim-get-a-second-season-of-sym-bionic-titan#intro
There needs to be a toy I want to buy a sym bionic titan
I’ve seen Sym-Bionic Titan a while ago. I love it and wish for it to continue. I’m addicted to it and want more. It just can’t end like that. Even my family likes the show.
Have my support!
I sometimes see it air here in Australia on Saturdays. It would be great if it continued.
if it’s just toy sales that they need to keep SBT going, then count me in! i want that show back & i am willing to buy any toy of SBT just to keep it running.
SBT still airs, in reruns, on the Adult Swim Anime block (midnight – 6 am, EST) here in the US – at least for now. It’s in the current rotation, but will fall out and be replaced when the original run is over. They often repeat shows that had cult status on this Anime block, so who knows?
OOPS, forgot the day. Saturdays, from Midnight – 6 AM EST in the USA on Cartoon Network.
Sym bionic titan was awesome my first time watching it I was hooked on it instantly
http://www.change.org/petitions/cartoon-network-and-adult-swim-get-a-second-season-of-sym-bionic-titan
How many signatures are needed?
How many signatures are needed for this petition?
How many signatures are needed?
I just rediscovered Samurai Jack on Netfix and realized it is one of the greatest accomplishments in modern animation. Every cell is art.
I am elated to discover this series (SBT) has resurfaced and have now added it to my DVR. I had no idea that this show existed up until now! that whole thing called becoming an adult got in the way before a quick Google search reestablished my priorities. I can’t wait to see how Tartakovsky has evolved, and hope quality work has a place on modern networks.
Maybe this leads to a bad-ass toy I can buy for my kid, too! Today’s toys SUCK! They are just crappy versions of the cool stuff I had growing up (Transformers, TMNT, GI Joe, etc.).