At the Annecy Animation Festival 2025, an exciting new animated project was unveiled that has fans buzzing—Heist Safari. This upcoming action-comedy series, created by the renowned Genndy Tartakovsky, promises to deliver an unforgettable blend of humor, chaos, and high-stakes action. Whether you’re a fan of Tartakovsky’s earlier work on Samurai Jack or Primal, this new show looks set to showcase his trademark style with a wild new twist.
A Sneak Peek Into Heist Safari: What to Expect
The Heist Safari series was the highlight of the Adult Animation Spotlight panel, which featured a discussion between Peter Girardi (EVP of Alternative Programming at Warner Bros. Animation) and Michael Ouweleen, President of Adult Swim. The buzz around the panel was centered on a thrilling, high-energy sneak peek of the show, which Tartakovsky pitched live at last year’s Annecy festival. During this session, we learned a bit more about the plot, which follows three frog brothers on a daring robbery to steal a bank vault.
The series is a fun, zany take on the classic heist genre, drawing heavy influences from iconic crime flicks by directors like Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie. While there are some serious, adrenaline-fueled moments, the show balances that with Tartakovsky’s signature comedic flair and a strong sense of visual storytelling. One of the standout elements of the sneak peek was an animatic—a rare treat in the animation world—that Tartakovsky himself had created, showcasing his distinctive style and sense of timing.
A Visual Feast: The Action and Humor of Heist Safari
The Heist Safari animatic gave us a glimpse of the show’s fast-paced and visually striking action sequences. One particularly memorable scene features the frog brothers chasing after a bank vault manager, a mouse, who’s desperately trying to hit the security button before escaping. The action is frenetic, with high-intensity moments marked by kinetic visual comedy and aggressive EDM music that matches the chaos onscreen.
What makes this animatic truly exciting is Tartakovsky’s use of Tex Avery-style animation, drawing inspiration from the master of fast-paced, slapstick cartooning. As the frogs crash into obstacles, their faces are comically distorted by stray bullets, and the action takes a surreal turn when a giraffe’s neck becomes the siren of a police car. Despite the dark nature of some of the action—like a bullet hole left in the mouse—it’s clear that Heist Safari will embrace a mix of violent comedy and absurd cartooning.
Heist Safari’s Dark Humor with a Classic Twist
In a bold move, the Heist Safari sneak peek demonstrates that the series is just as much about embracing classic cartoon techniques as it is about portraying dark humor. In the animatic’s final moments, we see one of the frogs shoot the bank manager mouse, with X’s replacing the mouse’s eyes in classic cartoon fashion. This playful yet violent depiction encapsulates what we can expect from Tartakovsky’s vision for the show—pushing the boundaries of traditional animation while maintaining an old-school charm.
The series promises a thrilling and hilarious ride as the frog brothers face increasingly ridiculous and high-stakes obstacles. Tartakovsky’s ability to balance violence with humor and chaos with charm will make Heist Safari an exciting addition to the Adult Swim lineup.
Tartakovsky’s Big Year: Fixed and Heist Safari at Annecy 2025
Heist Safari isn’t the only project Tartakovsky is showcasing at Annecy 2025. Earlier in the week, his first feature film, Fixed, premiered as part of his deal with Sony Pictures Animation, which was acquired by Netflix.
The movie was well received by critics, including Variety’s Peter Debruge, who praised Tartakovsky’s unique style. Tartakovsky also made waves at Cartoon Network Studios’ 25th anniversary panel, cementing his status as one of the highest-profile animators at the festival.
Other Big Announcements at Annecy 2025
Aside from the exciting news surrounding Heist Safari, there were several other big announcements at Annecy 2025. Adult Swim unveiled its partnership with Titmouse for a highly innovative animated special titled The Elephant, which unites legendary animation talents like Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe), and Patrick McHale (Over the Garden Wall).
In addition, Adult Swim confirmed the renewal of its high-energy anime Ninja Kamui for two additional seasons, much to the excitement of fans. These announcements continue to solidify Adult Swim’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the world of animation.
Conclusion: Heist Safari and Beyond
With Heist Safari, Genndy Tartakovsky has once again proven why he’s one of the most influential and innovative voices in animation. The series promises to deliver the perfect mix of action, humor, and visual storytelling that fans have come to expect from the Samurai Jack creator. With its unique style, dark humor, and classic animation elements, Heist Safari is shaping up to be a standout hit when it debuts on Adult Swim.
As we await further details, it’s clear that 2025 is set to be a big year for Tartakovsky and the animated world. Keep an eye out for Heist Safari when it finally hits the screen, and get ready for an animation experience unlike any other. Thanks for reading! For more updates and insights, visit us at newsbaazi.com. Stay tuned for more Updates!
FAQs
What is Heist Safari about?
Heist Safari follows three frog brothers who embark on a chaotic mission to rob a bank, blending action, comedy, and classic animation techniques. It’s an animated action-comedy from Genndy Tartakovsky.
When will Heist Safari be released?
While a specific release date is not yet confirmed, Heist Safari is expected to debut on Adult Swim after its showcase at the Annecy Animation Festival 2025.
Who is behind Heist Safari?
Heist Safari is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, best known for his work on Samurai Jack and Primal. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Adult Swim.
What are the main influences behind Heist Safari?
Tartakovsky has described the series as being inspired by crime films from Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie, with elements of classic animation and Tex Avery-style humor.
Is Genndy Tartakovsky working on any other projects?
Yes, Tartakovsky’s first feature film, Fixed, premiered at Annecy 2025, and Ninja Kamui has been renewed for two more seasons, making it a big year for the animator.
