That assumes that keeping the classic crew together is going to be a priority in the future. Somehow I doubt that this new series of movies, no matter how many are made, is going to solidify the Kirk/Spock/Bones crew in the popular imagination of a younger generation. The tragedy is that it's also not doing anything to continue the vision and ideals of Star Trek itself.
I'd love to see an animated Trek series. If it is based around Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, and co., I'd prefer it be based on the current Abrams' era universe. Otherwise, TNG and onward if taking place in the old universe. Perhaps a continuation of DS9 with Colonel (perhaps General) Kira Nerys in command. Aa for animation style, something along the lines of the Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, or perhaps the recent Marvel animated series (Hulk and the Agents of SMASH, or Avengers Assemble). I would also not object to a CG style ala The Clone Wars. Anime is alright, but I wouldn't want to hear anything about: "They got the translation wrong in the English dub, maaaaan! I'd rather hear the original Japanese dialogue with English subtitles according to the original script. Or, Good God, somebody do a fansub!". (I'm being facetious of course. I'm sure the visual style would simply be anime, but the stories would be written and acted by US and English speaking scribes and VA's.). Although, I could also see otaku getting really steamed if someone referred to anime styled Trek as a "cartoon". "It's not a cartoon, maaaaaan! It's anime! There's a distinct difference! Get it right!"
I'm also a bit skeptical about an anime. I do enjoy a lot of anime, bu I don't think it'd be the right visual choice for a Star Trek animated series. Somebody mentioned Madhouse as a possible anime studio for a Star Trek anime, and while I know their work is pretty varied, if I look at some of the animation they did for western franchises before (the X-Men and Supernatural animes in particular) I can't agree with that. I think the style of those two shows is a bit too detailed, stiff and "cold". It's probably a personal taste thing but I'd prefer an animation style that's a little bit "warmer" and more fluid. Nothing that tries to detail every wrinkle on someone's face or every fold in a cloth and then relies heavily on still images and stiff movements. Personally I'd prefer the style of the recent marvel and DC cartoons, it would work well with both the muted color palette of 24th+ century Trek. As I said before, I'd prefer the animated series not to be a continuation of ANY of the life action series, and especially I don't want them to waste their budget to bring in people like Shatner or Stewart to voice their characters. An animated series could be ANYTHING, anything that was previously thought impossible, it could tell truly epic story lines. If they get voice actors that are good at their joba nd able to voice multiple characters we could have a large, diverse and rotating cast, it could even be an anthology series. Not every new Trek release has to include the TOS crew.
^^^ That was an idea for startrek.com CBS was mulling over not long after it got ownership of Trek. It pretty much died when Paramount decided to do Star Trek XI.
^Kind of reminds me of how with the Doctor Who series, the animated Richard E. Grant was sort of the "official" ninth Doctor (In the "Scream of the Shalka" webcast) until the new series was greenlighted. The role eventually went to Christopher Eccleston, although his placing as the Ninth Doctor is up to debate because of the "War Doctor". (Grant also played a Doctor in the Curse of Fatal Death parody and appeared recently as a villain in the current Doctor Who.)
I knew there was a reason why I had this almost irrational hatred towards the Abrams movies, despite them being mediocre at worst. Not only did they revive the most overrated (imho) characters in Trek but they were responsible for a possible continuation of the timeline being cancelled and one that had sounded interesting to me.
^Most people though that the prime timeline was played out, and wanted a return to the past, which is why we got the 2009 and 2013 movies with the TOS characters. Myself, I think that a Starfleet Academy show might be the way to go, and with a different set of characters, but set in the continuity of the recent movies.
Starfleet Academy would be the Muppet Babies-ification of Trek. We can't just keep moving into these characters' childhoods. Enough already.
As I said (and echoing what somebody else said) these would be different characters, not Kirk & Co. or any of the well-established Starfleet people that we've grown to know and love.
Animated Trek would be okay, but not my preference. I would like it if the existing Animated Series would get a make over: remove all the super annoying repetitive sound fx & music.
Ten years ago? Has it been that long? Wow, how time flies! To see all the entries, go here... http://startrekanimated.com/tas_artcontest.html
I was thinking exactly the same thing, Kail! And I thought that contest was lost to time--thank you for keeping it archived.
The idea of trying to reestablish a lost order is certainly as old as it is compelling. A few years after the contest, I returned to the Lazarus concept when I began exploring the production of my own comic strip. That eventually led me to the creation of Westward, which is arguably even closer to Star Trek in format and premise. I really believe that Star Trek deserves to be venerated, preserved and thoughtfully expanded according to its highest ideals. Future generations should have access to a Trek that inspires them the same way we were inspired, animated or otherwise.
real-time graphics & interactive virtual reality like ILMxLAB This is the way the next animated Star Trek series would go: motion capture animation similar to Avatar but Lucasfilm and ILM have launched an interactive unit real-time graphics & interactive virtual reality, augmented reality and narrative-based experiences for future platforms. see the 2:30 length video here: ILMxLAB Launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=36&v=7T9Dv1aLMbw Really amazing video. It is these future platforms that can take Star Trek and not only have it for gaming but a MMO a crossover animated series just like I mentioned in 2009 (below) in another thread called New Animated Series . There is a thread in Sci-Fi & Fantasy on this since it is Star Wars narrative storytelling. 'Star Wars' Virtual Reality storytelling - ILMxLAB I brought this up in 2009. The technology finally got here.: Just figure a Sony Playstation 5 in 2018 with this type of immersive VR game and scripted animated Trek episodes that you move around the characters without fixed camera positions and camera moves pre-rendered cinematics...Different everytime you watch it. You could even pause the episode while you reposition yourself.
Yeah, i would also prefer a new crew... I wouldn't mind cameo's by established characters, but a new crew would be best... If it was set in the TNG/DS9/VOY era maybe a show about a ship going to the other side of the wormhole and encountering other Dominion/Alien species...