Duke & Duck

We are Duke & Duck, an Emmy award-winning content studio focused on brand, editorial, and documentary animation and motion graphics. We work with some of the biggest non-profit and corporate brands in the world to drive social change, promote products, raise money, and connect people through effective storytelling.

Founder & Managing Director

Double Scoop Studio

At Double Scoop Studio, we are serving up delicious animated content for kids that make a social impact.

Head of Studio

Voxiva

Marketing, research, and more at a small, socially-focused software startup.

Marketing Manager

The Bike Project of Urbana Champaign

The Bike Project co-op offers a space, tools, and community to repair bikes, share knowledge, hold classes, and advocate for bikes in Urbana-Champaign.

Co-Founder

ACTS Clinic

I went to ACTS to help them however I could.  What I ended up doing was helping them to upgrade their network infrastructure to link the main clinic with the pharmacy as well as to other local health resources.  I also won them grants from Microsoft and Dell for new software and computers.

Volunteer

Since 2009, I've been using animation to tell stories that matter. Stories are powerful. They tell us who we are, what we believe in, and how we should relate to the world around us. My life is dedicated to using that power to make the world a better place for everyone in it.

Duke & Duck is the Emmy award-winning content studio I started with my best friend Dave back in 2009. We produce brand videos, social content, explainers, advocacy campaigns, and animation for documentaries. Most of our work is direct to clients where we serve as strategic advisors and content creators, but we also work with select agencies as partners. We have years of experience creating award-winning animated content for household brands, including: Capital One, the ACLU, Nestlé, Patagonia, and National Geographic.

In 2022, I founded Double Scoop Studio with a single goal: To make sure that the next generation has access to stories that put as much emphasis on positive social values and impact as they do on entertainment and turning a profit. We make proprietary content for non-profits who want to reach kids, and develop and produce our own original IP. Our partners include the American Red Cross and PBS Kids.

Alex Herder

Executive Producer with a background spanning television (Reuters, BBC, Current Time TV) and commercial production (Nike, Google, Red Bull, Netflix). I specialise in pop-culture-driven content with a focus on video games, (e)sports, and lifestyle. Most recently I produced a short animated film for Netflix Games set in the world of the critically-acclaimed Monument Valley games. 

As a Founder at Cowboy Anime, I work with brands and partners to help tap into the ever-growing potential of anime storytelling and Japanese animation all while fostering stronger co-production ties between Asia and Europe.

Infinite love for anime and engaging storytelling. Can talk about Sailor Moon and Japan for days.

Believe in design thinking, music, and unicorns. Obsessed with turning ideas into reality.

Portfolio: https://anastasiagorelova.myportfolio.com/work
Website: https://www.cowboyanime.com/

Monument Valley 3 Animated Short (Moth Studio / ustwo / Netflix Games)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR6Pf-8i6lw&t=7s

Key Skills: Production Management, Project Management, Operations Management, Account Management, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Budget Development, Marketing Management, Process Improvement, Problem Solving, Leadership.

Anastasia Gorelova

2026 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐭..?

I think I said this last year about 2025... And to be fair - 2025 delivered.

Demon Slayer shattered the global box office, earning $718 million worldwide. Chainsaw Man Reze had a strong cinema run at $158 million globally.

We got an incredible mix of long-running heavyweights (My Hero Academia, Spy x Family, One Piece) and newer titles (DanDaDan, Witch Watch, Gachiakuta) that proved that demand for anime is only growing.

We even got some originals such as Lazarus, Moon Rise, The Last Blossom, that reminded us how broad, emotional, and experimental anime storytelling can be.

Looking at the 2026 lineup - even just the first half of the year - we’re so spoiled.

We may not have a single, obvious “event title” like Demon Slayer right out of the gate, but what we do have is something arguably more interesting: depth and range.

Yes, we still have action. Yes, we still have legacy franchises with huge  built-in audiences. Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece (anime+live-action), Bleach are all back. But 2026 feels particularly generous when it comes to slice of life, romance, fantasy, and slower, more grounded stories.

A few fantasy titles I’m especially excited about:

✨ 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧 is back this winter and I can’t wait to continue this journey. It’s one of those rare stories that talks about time, grief, friendship, and growth in a way anime does exceptionally well. I love Evan Call’s music. And I love Frieren, she is the character I look up to in many ways.

✨ 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 is another standout for me. I’m deep into manga now, and worldbuilding is exceptional. Super imaginative. It offers such a fresh take on magic, and I can’t wait to see how that atmosphere translates into animation when it releases in spring. Great cast of characters too.

✨ 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 is a Webtoon adaptation of a dark fantasy romance digital comic. The male characters are based on the K-pop group Enhypen. It features vampires and werewolves. Let’s just say I’m hyped for this (pun intended).

From the revenue POV, it might be hard to beat the success of the theatrical anime releases of 2025. For now, the serialised releases for tv and streaming look the most exciting. From the overall growth and cultural impact, however, we’re in for another exciting year of anime.

I’m curious, what anime are you most excited about this year?

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