Animaniacs x MasterClass: The Brain Teaches World Domination (known simply as Animaniacs x MasterClass and The Brain Teaches World Domination) is an animated spin-off mini-series produced by Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Entertainment for Hulu. The mini-series is a spin-off of Animaniacs (specifically the 2020 reboot series) and focuses on the characters Pinky and The Brain. The short series centers around The Brain, who uses the MasterClass online education platform to make a tutorial series on world domination, with Pinky tagging along in his videos.
The mini-series also serves as a promotional tie-in with the MasterClass online education-subscription service itself, and was released on March 17, 2023 through Hulu (under its own "MasterClass" section of the Animaniacs reboot series).[1] The shorts are also available on Hulu's official YouTube channel (these videos can be viewed on the episode articles and in the "Lessons" section below). In December 2023, the series became available on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, once more under the "Extras" tab of the Animaniacs reboot.
Press Release
"Fans of animated series Animaniacs will know that The Brain has been set on world domination since the genetically improved mouse was introduced to audiences in the ‘90s. While The Brain’s ambitions are always thwarted by his unwitting friend and fellow genetically improved mouse, Pinky, he keeps on trying.
Now, Hulu is collaborating with online education platform MasterClass to give The Brain his own tutorial series on how to dominate the world. The above trailer dropped Tuesday (March 14), and a series of short videos with topics such as “the art of subterfuge” and "finding your assistant" will debut across Hulu’s social media channels on Friday, March 17.
“We couldn’t think of a more fitting love letter to the incredible Animaniacs fans than a firsthand tutorial on world domination from the Brain,” said Scott Donaton, Hulu senior vice president and head of marketing, in a statement. "A big thanks to MasterClass for their collaboration to bring this idea to life and allow our favorite megalomaniac to join the ranks of their world class teachers."
Animaniacs, starring Pinky and the Brain, originally aired from 1993 to 1998 and was executive produced by Steven Spielberg. Besides Pinky and the Brain, the show also featured three of Warner Bros.’ cartoon characters from the 1930s – Yakko, Wakko and Dot.
The show was revived on Hulu in November 2020 with Spielberg again serving as executive producer.
The third and final season of Animaniacs debuted on Hulu on February 17."[2]
Premise
The Brain uses MasterClass to produce a series of lectures on world domination. The lectures contain a subliminal mind-control filter, which Brain hopes to use to hypnotize the public to obey him. As always, he receives some assistance from Pinky. The lessons consist of the Brain introducing himself to the viewers as the instructor, finding a loyal assistant, making good disguises and analyzing his foes.
Cast
- Rob Paulsen as Pinky and (archival audio only) Yakko Warner
- Maurice LaMarche as The Brain
- Jess Harnell as Wakko Warner (archival audio only)
- Tress MacNeille as Dot Warner (archival audio only)
Crew
Each of the shorts were animated by Titmouse, Inc.[3], and were directed by Sean Coverton.[4] They were written by Jennifer Tomassi, and produced by Michael J. Marino.[5]
Episodes
There are four shorts in this series.
| Thumbnail Image | Title | Original Airdate | Season Episode | TV Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
MasterClass 101: Meet Your Instructor | March 17, 2023 | 1 | TV-PG | |
| You know him: the mouse, the myth, the legend. Now you can hear from Brain firsthand how he came to be the mastermind he is today, and how you can follow in his prodigious pawprints. Directed by his loyal assistant, Pinky, with only a few mishaps. | |||||
 |
MasterClass 102: Finding Your Assistant | March 17, 2023 | 2 | TV-PG | |
| It's Pinky's time to shine! If you want to add an assistant to your global domination schemes, you'll need to know Brain's tips for turning an underwhelming underling into your perfect complement. Featuring footage from a time when they were inseparable. | |||||
 |
MasterClass 103: Disguises and the Art of Subterfuge | March 17, 2023 | 3 | TV-PG | |
| As Brain always says, "appearances matter!" Learn the importance of using the right disguises and building your personal brand to achieve world domination. Plus, the return of the no-bake cheesecake. | |||||
 |
MasterClass 104: Analyzing Your Adversaries | March 17, 2023 | 4 | TV-PG | |
| In Brain's final class, he demonstrates how to find and capitalize on an opponent's weaknesses through a detailed analysis of his greatest foe. Plus, get some marketing tips from Pinky! | |||||
Lessons
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Association | Award category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2023 Clio Awards | Television | Series: Branded Content / Partnerships | Co-Creation | Hulu for Animaniacs X Masterclass | Bronze Winner |
| Television | Series: Original Content / Creative Content | Hulu for Animaniacs X Masterclass | Silver Winner | ||
| 2024 | The Gema Awards | Best Series Program and Product Tie-In | Animaniacs X Masterclass Promo | Winner[6] |
Trivia
- This is
- The first Animaniacs-related production to release following the ending of the 2020 reboot series, which ended exactly one month earlier.
- The first overall Animaniacs-related production to be legally available in its entirety on YouTube for free[note 1] through uploads from the original channel.
- The second overall mini-series to be related to Animaniacs in some capacity, following 1998's educational Brain Snacks series on Kids' WB!
- The third overall series centered around Pinky and the Brain specifically, following their eponymous 1995 spin-off series and 1998's Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain; it is also the first mini-series to be centered on the mice.
- The only Animaniacs-related production to not be available for purchase on digital storefronts such as Amazon Prime Video (presumably due to it being on YouTube for free).
- The Animaniacs with the shortest amount of animation studios working on it, with just one (Titmouse)
- Despite being based on the 2020 reboot series, many of the crew members from the show were not involved with the production of this mini-series.[7]
- Archival footage from various episodes from the 2020 reboot series is featured throughout the shorts.
- On YouTube, the shorts have two watermarks: an "Animaniacs" logo in the top left corner and a "Hulu" logo in the top right corner; similarly to some reboot trailers uploaded online.
- A Certificate was given out to people who said that they've finished the class for a brief period of time. [8][9]
Gallery
Notes
- ↑ Other productions in the Animaniacs franchise can be purchased and viewed on YouTube in some territories.
References
- ↑ Tweet from @TheAnimaniacs. Published and Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ↑ Paige Albiniak - Animaniacs ‘The Brain’ Teaches MasterClass on World Domination. The Daily Brief. Published and Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ↑ Tweet from @titmouseinc. Published and Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ↑ Animaniacs X MasterClass entry on Titmouse's website. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ↑ "THE BRAIN TEACHES WORLD DOMINATION" - Michael J. Marino. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ↑ Tweet from Titmouse. Published and Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ↑ Tweet from Gabe Swarr. Published March 9, 2023. Retrieve March 14, 2023.
- ↑ Tweet from "The Animaniacs" responding to "@Mouseydate" Retrieved on March 17th, 2024https://twitter.com/TheAnimaniacs/status/1639426690790346752/photo/1 Wayback Machine Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20240317142201/https://twitter.com/TheAnimaniacs/status/1639426690790346752 Original Tweet: https://twitter.com/TheAnimaniacs/status/1638223950990680067 Wayback Machine Link to Original Tweet: https://web.archive.org/web/20240317142105/https://twitter.com/mouseydate/status/1639407059421790209
- ↑ Wayback Machine Link to Certificate on Twitterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20240317142203/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FsBp2qjakAE0wcV?format=jpg&name=4096x4096