Women Animation Writers Continue To Make Landmark Moves In Streaming Space

This is in real-time.

Possibly more exciting than just being more ‘inclusive’, is the response of an artist. For example, if Hari Kondabolu didn’t whine about The Problem With Apu and instead offered up his animated take on a South Asian family in America, that would be far more compelling than just trying to kill off a character that 90% of the very diverse American population doesn’t have a problem with. Likewise, women in animation are going to offer an exciting dynamic when we see the varieties of content that will be coming to the forefront in the coming years. We’re seeing the likes of Lisa Hanawalt lead the charge here, but streaming giants Apple TV and Netflix both feature writers that are making landmark achievements in this arena.

First up, Netflix has inked an overall animation deal with Disenchantment writer Shion Takeuchi whom will be developing original series exclusively for the largest streaming service in the world. Prior credits include Regular Show and Gravity Falls, the latter of which just saw it’s creator ink a similar deal with Netflix last month. 

Next, Central Park writer Amanda Idoko is teaming up with the Inclusion and Equity Subcommittee of the WGA Committee of Black Writers to inspire popular TV shows and series to promote their diverse team of writers and producers with the hashtag  #ShowUsYourRoom to showcase advances in inclusivity in the Hollywood workplace. This comes after Idoko was inspired by a recent study that noted that while advances in inclusivity are on the rise, they aren’t anywhere they need to be, and as such she is taking an initiative to make sure that comes to pass.

In both cases, women’s role in animation is growing, and we the viewers are going to be the benefactors.