First Thoughts on Suzume / Suzume no Tojimari (2022)

How does the latest installment in Makoto Shinkai's "disaster trilogy" compare with his earlier works?

First Thoughts on Strange World (2022)

Strange World: a return to animated sci-fi which Disney seems determined for you to ignore.

First Thoughts on Encanto (2021)

"Under pressure... pushing down on me, pressing down on you..." Disney dive into the rich cultural diversity of tropical Colombia in their latest offering.

First Thoughts on Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)

I may be late to the party, but I've finally seen one of the greatest cartoons ever made – and in this case, that's actually not an overstatement.

First Thoughts on Over the Garden Wall (2014)

This autumnal offering from Cartoon Network has been called one of the greatest cartoons of its decade, but is there more to it than its aesthetic?

First Thoughts on The Garden of Words / Kotonoha no Niwa (2013)

This brief, poetic Shinkai feature may centre around a rather problematic relationship, but there's no denying the beauty of its rain-soaked vision of Tokyo

First Thoughts on It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

Don Hertzfeldt's debut feature makes for a good companion to Soul, exploring existentialist themes and celebrating the beauty of the mundane.

First Thoughts Combo: Soul (2020) and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

I've been waiting to see these for ages, but I've finally caught up on the Disney and Pixar canons (for now at least).

First Thoughts on The Tragedy of Man / Az ember tragédiája (2011)

Marcell Jankovics delivers a classic of Hungarian animation, 23 years in the making

First Thoughts on The Secret of Kells (2009)

I finally complete Tomm Moore's "Irish trilogy" with Cartoon Saloon's evocative debut feature