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'{{Short description|American animated television series}} {{for|the unrelated animated film|Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox television | name = Infinity Train | image = File:Infinity_Train_Show_with_the_hbomax_logo.png | caption = | genre = <!--GENRES MUST BE SOURCED. Do not change based on your personal conception--> | creator = [[Owen Dennis]] | story = {{Plainlist| * Owen Dennis * Alex Horab * Lindsay Katai * Justin Michael * Madeline Queripel (main) * [[Cole Sanchez]] (episodes 1–5, 7–10) }} | director = {{Plainlist| * Madeline Queripel (supervising) * Jill Daniels (art; seasons 1–2) * Alen Esmaelian (art; seasons 3-4) }} | voices = {{Plainlist| * [[Ashley Johnson (actress)|Ashley Johnson]] * Jeremy Crutchley * Owen Dennis * [[Ernie Hudson]] * [[Kate Mulgrew]] * [[Lena Headey]] * [[Robbie Daymond]] * [[Bradley Whitford]] * [[Ben Mendelsohn]] * [[Kirby Howell-Baptiste]] * [[Kyle McCarley]] * Isabella Abiera * [[Diane Delano]] * Johnny Young * Sekai Murashige * Minty Lewis * [[Margo Martindale]] * [[J.K. Simmons]] * [[Margaret Cho]] }} | theme_music_composer = {{unbulleted list|Chrome Canyon|Owen Dennis (co-composer, episode 1 only) }} | composer = Chrome Canyon | country = United States | language = English | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| * Owen Dennis * Jennifer Pelphrey * Tramm Wigzell * [[Brian A. Miller]] * [[Rob Sorcher]] }} | producer = Keith Mack | num_seasons = 4 | num_episodes = 40 | runtime = 11 minutes | company = [[Cartoon Network Studios]] | distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Distribution]] (seasons 1–2)<br />[[HBO Max|WarnerMedia Direct]] (seasons 3–4) | network = [[Cartoon Network]] (seasons 1–2)<br />[[HBO Max]] (seasons 3–4)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cartoon-networks-infinity-train-will-stream-its-th/1100-6479373/ | title=Cartoon Network's Infinity Train Will Stream Its Third Season Exclusively On HBO Max | author=Suzette Smith | date=July 6, 2020 | access-date=2020-07-06|website=GameSpot }}</ref> | picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[16:9 aspect ratio|16:9]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br /> [[480i]] ([[Aspect ratio (image)#4:3 standard|4:3]] [[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])<ref>Only in several Cartoon Network feeds.</ref> | audio_format = [[Dolby Surround]] | first_run = {{Start date|2016|11|1}} (Pilot) | first_aired = {{Start date|2019|8|5}} | last_aired = {{End date|2021|4|15}} | list_episodes = List of Infinity Train episodes | channel = | released = | website = }} '''''Infinity Train''''' is an American [[animated series|animated television series]] created by [[Owen Dennis]], previously a writer and [[storyboard artist]] on ''[[Regular Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite av media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY6kfVWv01k |title=Infinity Train {{!}} Minisode {{!}} Cartoon Network – YouTube |date=November 2, 2016 |access-date=November 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104013141/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY6kfVWv01k |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[Television pilot|pilot]] for the series was released by [[Cartoon Network]] on November 1, 2016, before being picked-up for a full [[miniseries]] due to positive reception, which premiered on Cartoon Network on August 5, 2019. After the conclusion of the first season, Cartoon Network announced that the series would continue as an [[anthology series]].<ref name="nexttime" /><ref>{{cite tweet |author=Owen Dennis |user=Oweeeeendennis |number=1198640615715565568 |date=24 November 2019 |title=#infinitytrain is an animated anthology series, all set in the same universe, with different protagonists for different stories. The first story is called Infinity Train: Book One - The Perennial Child. The second story is called Infinity Train: Book Two - Cracked Reflection. }}</ref> The second season debuted on Cartoon Network on January 6, 2020. The third season began airing on [[HBO Max]] on August 13, 2020, with ten episodes airing across three weeks,<ref>{{cite web |title=HBO Max Highlights - August 2020 |url=https://pressroom.warnermediagroup.com/gb/media-release/hbo-max-highlights-august-2020 |website=Warner Media |access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> and the fourth season was released in its entirety on April 15, 2021.<ref name="Book 4 Polygon" /><ref name="FinalSeason">{{cite web|title=Infinity Train hits the end of the line with first trailer for fourth and final season|url=https://ew.com/tv/infinity-train-season-4-trailer/|website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref> The series is set on a gigantic, mysterious and seemingly endless train traveling through a barren landscape, whose cars contain a variety of bizarre, fantastical and impossible environments. Passengers on the train complete challenges as they proceed from car to car which help them resolve their psychological trauma and emotional issues. Every season of ''Infinity Train'' (referred to as a "Book", each with its own separate subtitle) follows its own storyline and set of characters, although they are all set in the same universe and some characters appear across different seasons. All four seasons of ''Infinity Train'' have received critical acclaim for their complex themes and characters, writing, uniqueness, visual animation style, and voice acting. In August 2020, Dennis stated that, although he wanted to continue the series for a total of eight seasons, most of the crew had been laid off and the series was at risk of not being renewed for a fifth season; Dennis suggested that HBO Max might be concerned that the series' stories and themes were too dark and unappealing to children.<ref name="GizmodoFutureJeopardy" /><ref name="HITCRenewalS4" /><ref name="PolygonShowsPotential" /> Promotional material for the fourth season refer to it as the final season of ''Infinity Train''.<ref name="Book 4 WM PR">{{Cite press release|date=February 17, 2021|title=WarnerMedia Expands Kids & Family Offerings on Cartoon Network and HBO Max Under New Tagline Redraw Your World|url=https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/warnermedia-expands-kids-family-offerings-cartoon-network-and-hbo-max-under-new?language_content_entity=en&fb|url-status=live|access-date=February 17, 2021|website=|publisher=[[WarnerMedia]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217181729/https://pressroom.warnermedia.com/us/media-release/warnermedia-expands-kids-family-offerings-cartoon-network-and-hbo-max-under-new?language_content_entity=en|archive-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> ==Synopsis== The series is set on a seemingly endless train traveling through a barren landscape; the cars of the train contain a variety of bizarre and fantastical environments. The passengers on the train are people it picks up who have unresolved emotional issues or trauma. As they travel through the train's cars, their adventures inside them give them the opportunity to confront and resolve their emotional problems, represented by a glowing number on their hand that goes down as they confront these issues. Once they resolve their issues and their number reaches zero, a portal opens and they are able to leave the train and return home. The first season focuses on [[Tulip Olsen]], a girl struggling with her parents' recent divorce. She is accompanied by a small, confused robot named "One-One", and Atticus, the ruler of a kingdom of talking [[corgi]]s. She eventually uncovers many of the train's secrets and confronts Amelia, a passenger who, instead of resolving her trauma from her husband's death, has usurped the role of Conductor from One-One and tried to take control of the train. Before leaving the train, Tulip persuades Amelia to try to adapt to the changes in her life. In one first-season episode, Tulip frees her own reflection from the mirror world, and the two part ways. The second season focuses on the emancipated [[Lake (Infinity Train)|Mirror Tulip ("MT")]], now on the run from enforcers attempting to execute her as punishment for abandoning her role as Tulip's reflection. She teams up with Jesse, a new train passenger, as well as Alan Dracula, a silent deer with a variety of powers. She helps Jesse leave the train by helping him learn to stand up for himself, and he returns to the train to help her escape to the outside world, as well. The third season centers on [[Grace Monroe|Grace]] and Simon, the leaders of a gang of rogue passengers who vandalize the train and assault its denizens to keep their numbers high. Their travels with a young girl named Hazel and her gorilla friend, Tuba, make Grace more sympathetic to the train's denizens. After Simon kills Tuba, it is revealed that Hazel herself is one of Amelia's creations, and Grace realizes what she thought she knew about the train is wrong. After fighting off Simon's attempt to usurp control, Grace begins facing up to and mending her mistakes. Set decades earlier, during the period while Amelia is establishing control over the train, the fourth season centers on Ryan and Min-Gi, two best friends who want to become famous musicians. Their relationship is strained due to Ryan's brashness and Min-Gi's fear of the future. While on the train, they meet a talking [[Call bell|service bell]] named Kez who has trouble owning up to her mistakes. Ryan and Min-Gi come to realize that they need each other in order for them to move forward in life, while Kez finally apologizes to other train denizens she harmed. ==Episodes== {{main|List of Infinity Train episodes}} {{:List of Infinity Train episodes}} ===Shorts=== From October 18, 2019, a series of ten shorts titled "The Train Documentaries" was uploaded onto the Cartoon Network app and YouTube channel. Each short focuses on One-One showcasing a different car on the train, including "The Green Car", "The Tiny Wizard Car", and "The Kaiju Car". ==Cast and characters== ===Overview=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Character ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Voiced by ! scope="col" colspan="4" | Seasons |- ! Book 1 ! Book 2 ! Book 3 ! Book 4 |- ! colspan="7" style="background:#ccf;"| Main characters |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | [[Tulip Olsen]] | rowspan="2" | [[Ashley Johnson (actress)|Ashley Johnson]] | {{CMain}} | {{CNone|''Mentioned''}} | colspan="2" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | [[Lake (Infinity Train)|Lake / "MT" (Mirror Tulip)]] | {{CGuest}} | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone}}''Pictured'' | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" rowspan="2"| One-One / One | Glad-One | Jeremy Crutchley | rowspan="2" {{CMain|Main}} | rowspan="2" {{CRecurring}} | rowspan="2" {{CNone|''Mentioned''}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | Sad-One | [[Owen Dennis]] | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Atticus | [[Ernie Hudson]] | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone|''Mentioned''}} | colspan="2" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Jesse Cosay | [[Robbie Daymond]] | {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone|''Mentioned''}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Alan Dracula | style="background:#d3d3d3;" | ''Character is Silent'' | {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} | colspan="2" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | [[Grace Monroe]] | [[Kirby Howell-Baptiste]] | rowspan="2" {{CNone|''Pictured''}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Simon Laurent | [[Kyle McCarley]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Hazel | Isabella Abiera | colspan="2" {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Tuba | [[Diane Delano]] | colspan="2" {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Min-Gi Park | Johnny Young | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Ryan Akagi | Sekai Murashige | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Kez | Minty Lewis | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CMain|Main}} |- ! colspan="7" style="background:#ccf;"| Recurring characters |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | The Cat / Samantha | [[Kate Mulgrew]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CGuest|Guest}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CGuest|Guest}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Randall | [[Rhys Darby]] | colspan="2" {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CGuest|Guest}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Amelia Hughes | [[Lena Headey]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CNone|''Mentioned''}} | colspan="2" {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | The Steward | [[Ashley Johnson (actress)|Ashley Johnson]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | colspan="2" {{CGuest|Cameo}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Ghoms | [[Dee Bradley Baker]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CGuest|Cameo}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Megan Olsen | [[Audrey Wasilewski]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | colspan="3" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Andy Olsen | [[Mark Fite]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | colspan="3" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Mikayla | [[Reagan Gomez-Preston]] | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | colspan="3" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" rowspan="2" | Reflection Police | Agent Mace | [[Ben Mendelsohn]] | rowspan="2" {{CGuest|Guest}} | rowspan="2" {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | rowspan="2" colspan="2" {{CNone}} |- | Agent Sieve | [[Bradley Whitford]] |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Toad / Terrence | Owen Dennis | {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | colspan="2" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Nate Cosay | Justin Felbinger | {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | colspan="2" {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Lucy | Jenna Davis | {{CNone}} | {{CGuest|Cameo}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Todd | Antonio Raul Corbo | {{CNone}} | {{CGuest|Cameo}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} | {{CNone}} |- | scope="row" rowspan="3" | Parka Denizens | One | rowspan="2" | [[Kari Wahlgren]] | rowspan="3" colspan="3" {{CNone}} |rowspan="3" {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | Two |- | Three | [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]] |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Judge Morpho | [[Margo Martindale]] | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Cow Creamer | [[Audrey Wasilewski]] | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Pig Baby/Toddler | [[J. K. Simmons]] | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Nigel | style="background:#d3d3d3;" | ''Character is Silent'' | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- | scope="row" colspan="2" | Morgan | [[Margaret Cho]] | colspan="3" {{CNone}} | {{CRecurring|Recurring}} |- |} ===Main characters=== ====Book 1 – ''The Perennial Child''==== * [[Tulip Olsen]] ([[Ashley Johnson (actress)|Ashley Johnson]]) – A 13-year-old girl struggling with her parents' divorce who finds herself trapped on the train when trying to get to a game-design camp. She is analytical, down-to-earth, and determined to get off the train. ** Naomi Hansen and Lily Sanfelippo voice younger versions of Tulip, respectively at age 5 and from age 6 to 8. * One-One – A spherical robot consisting of two separate hemisphere-shaped robots, formerly collectively known simply as One. In ''Book 1'', One-One accompanies Tulip on her journey, and eventually learns that it is the rightful Conductor of the train. At the end of ''Book 1'', One-One resumes its duties as Conductor, overseeing the operations of the train and passengers. Throughout the background of ''Book 4'', set in 1986, One bonds with Amelia, loosening restrictions on the passengers, before she usurps his position as the Conductor. ** Glad-One (Jeremy Crutchley) – The exuberant and optimistic part of One-One. ** Sad-One ([[Owen Dennis]]) – The morose and pessimistic part of One-One. * Atticus ([[Ernie Hudson]]) – A talking [[Welsh Corgi|Corgi]] and the king of Corginia, one of the train cars. He accompanies Tulip on her journey. ====Book 2 – ''Cracked Reflection''==== * [[Lake (Infinity Train)|"MT"]] (Ashley Johnson) – Tulip's [[Mirror image|reflection]], freed from the mirror world by Tulip in an episode of ''Book 1''. At the start of ''Book 2'', she has been living on the train as a fugitive from the reflection police. She accompanies Jesse on his journey through the train while struggling with her sense of identity as an independent person, rather than Tulip's reflection or a construct of the train. Upon leaving the train at the end of Book 2, she names herself Lake. * Jesse Cosay ([[Robbie Daymond]]) – A passenger who becomes MT's friend and helps her escape the train. He is easygoing and friendly, but has a hard time resisting [[peer pressure]]; his experience on the train teaches him how to stand up for his friends and his younger brother. Upon initially leaving the train in the middle of Book 2, he returns in order to help MT leave too. * Alan Dracula – A magical [[shapeshifting]] [[white-tailed deer]], a denizen of the train who accompanies MT and Jesse. ====Book 3 – ''Cult of the Conductor''==== * [[Grace Monroe]] ([[Kirby Howell-Baptiste]]) – The young adult leader of the Apex, a gang of passengers who aim to raise their numbers to remain on the train indefinitely, and believe One-One to be an impostor who usurped the role of Conductor. After appearing as a secondary antagonist in ''Book 2'', Grace returns as one of the main protagonists of ''Book 3'', in which she gradually begins to see the error of her ways and decides to try to fix her mistakes. ** Brooke Singleton voices Grace as a child * Simon Laurent ([[Kyle McCarley]]) – Grace's second-in-command and best friend, who first appears alongside her in ''Book 2''. Although the two are very close, they gradually drift apart during ''Book 3'', due to Simon's sociopathic and murderous behavior and his unwillingness to acknowledge his mistakes and learn from them. ** Samuel Faraci voices Simon as a child * Hazel (Isabella Abiera) – A 6-year-old girl who travels the train. Although she has a number on her hand, it does not glow; unknown to her, she is actually a denizen of the train created by Amelia's experiments. * Tuba ([[Diane Delano]]) – Hazel's gorilla friend and protector, a denizen of the train. ====Book 4 – ''Duet''==== * Min-Gi Park (Johnny Young) – A young man who is hesitant to pursue his dreams of being a musician and feels pressured to live a conventional life instead. * Ryan Akagi (Sekai Murashige) – Min-Gi's best friend, who aspires to become a famous musician and tends to make rash decisions. * Kez (Minty Lewis) – A sentient concierge bell who accompanies Ryan and Min; her thoughtless behavior has made her many enemies among the train's other denizens. ===Recurring characters=== <!-- Only characters who appear more than once within a season --> * The Cat ([[Kate Mulgrew]]) – A talking cat who is a collector and con artist, and runs a variety of businesses on the train. In Book 1, she is an agent for Amelia. Book 3 reveals that her name is Samantha, and she was Simon's companion when he first boarded the train.<ref>{{Cite episode | title=The Canyon of the Golden Winged Snakes Car | series=Infinity Train | network=HBO Max | date=August 20, 2020 | season=3: Cult of the Conductor | number=7 | minutes=7 }}</ref> (Recurring ''Book 1'' and ''Book 3''; Guest ''Book 2'' and ''Book 4) * Randall ([[Rhys Darby]]) - A liquid person who creates duplicates of himself at will. (Recurring ''Book 1''; Guest ''Book 2'' and ''Book 3'') * Amelia Hughes ([[Lena Headey]]) – A passenger who overthrew One-One and usurped his position as the Conductor, hoping to use the train to recreate her dead husband Alrick Timmens ([[Matthew Rhys]]). In Book 3, Amelia works with One-One to make amends and undo the mistakes she made on the train. (Recurring ''Book 1'' and ''Book 3'', Recurring ''Book 4'') * The Steward ([[Ashley Johnson (actress)|Ashley Johnson]]) – A menacing robot that assists the Conductor. ''(Recurring ''Book 1'', ''Book 4''; Cameos ''Books 2–3'') * Ghoms ([[Dee Bradley Baker]]) – Dog/cockroach-like creatures that inhabit the Wasteland outside the train and attempt to suck the life-force out of the living. (Recurring ''Book 1'' and ''Book 3''; Cameo ''Book 2'') * Megan Olsen ([[Audrey Wasilewski]]) – Tulip's struggling mother and Andy's ex-wife who works as a nurse. (Recurring ''Book 1'') * Andy Olsen ([[Mark Fite]]) – Tulip's depressed father and Megan's ex-husband. (Recurring ''Book 1'') * Mikayla ([[Reagan Gomez-Preston]]) — Tulip's best friend before she gets on the train. (Recurring ''Book 1'') * The Reflection Police, or "Flecs" – A pair of officers pursuing MT in order to destroy her for abandoning her responsibility as Tulip's reflection. (Guest ''Book 1''; Recurring ''Book 2'') ** Agent Mace ([[Ben Mendelsohn]]) – The gruff senior partner of the team. ** Agent Sieve ([[Bradley Whitford]]) – The more upbeat junior partner to Mace. * Toad / Terrance ([[Owen Dennis]]) – A toad whom passengers must kick in order to exit the Toad Car. (Recurring ''Book 2'') * Nathan "Nate" Cosay (Justin Felbinger) – Jesse's younger brother. (Recurring ''Book 2'') * Lucy (Jenna Davis) – A young girl and member of the Apex. She lost an eye because of a harpoon pack. (Cameo ''Book 2''; Recurring ''Book 3'') * Todd (Antonio Raul Corbo) - A young boy and member of the Apex. (Guest ''Book 2''; Recurring ''Book 3'') * Parka Denizens ([[Kari Wahlgren]] and [[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]]) – A trio of [[parka]]-wearing train denizens, who seek retribution against Kez for unintentionally transforming them. (Recurring ''Book 4'') * Cow Creamer ([[Audrey Wasilewski]]) – A French porcelain cow raising a giant sentient piglet, who pursues Kez for making her ward cry. (Recurring ''Book 4'') * Pig Baby/Toddler ([[J. K. Simmons]]) – A giant sentient [[Piglet (animal)|piglet]] raised by Cow Creamer. (Recurring ''Book 4'') * Judge Morpho ([[Margo Martindale]]) – A caterpillar sheriff of an [[Old West]] town who metamorphoses into a butterfly judge, who seeks to punish Kez for leaving a tea stain on their town charter. (Recurring ''Book 4'') * Nigel - a silent astronaut bouncer who guards the entrance to a space-themed nightclub, who also pursues Kez for getting him fired from his job. (Recurring ''Book 4'') * Morgan ([[Margaret Cho]]) – A sentient castle whom Kez used to reside in. (Recurring ''Book 4'') Guest voices for Book One include [[Matthew Rhys]] and [[Ron Funches]]. Guest voices for Book Two include [[Wayne Knight]], [[Laraine Newman]], [[BeBe Zahara Benet|Nea Marshall Kudi]], [[Bill Corbett]], and Rhys Darby. Guest voices for Book Three include Rhys Darby, [[Edi Patterson]], [[Phil LaMarr]], and [[Alfred Molina]]. Guest voices for Book Four include [[Steve Park (comedian)|Steve Park]], [[Thomas Lennon]], and [[Donald Faison]]. ==Production history== ===Conception and influences=== Prior to creating ''Infinity Train'', [[Owen Dennis]] worked as a storyboard artist on ''[[Regular Show]].'' Dennis conceived ''Infinity Train'' in 2010, originally as a film. He was inspired by "the feeling of waking up in an unsettling space" which he felt while on a return flight to the U.S. from China. Claiming when he had "woken up. I looked around, and there were a bunch of people staring into screens in the dark in this quiet room. I thought this was kind of creepy. And it sort of started from there."<ref name="'Infinity Train' tackles issues">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-08-08/infinity-train-owen-dennis | title='Infinity Train' tackles issues many kids shows avoid. The creator is proud of that | author=Tracy Brown | date=August 8, 2019 | website=LA Times | quote=It’s a kids’ mystery-horror-comedy-science-fiction show,” Dennis told The Times. | access-date=August 31, 2020}}</ref> Like protagonist Tulip, Dennis created video games as an amateur in his teens, including [[point-and-click adventure game]]s and [[mod (video gaming)|mod]]s for titles such as ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' and ''[[Unreal Tournament 2004]]''. He has stated that ''[[Myst]]'' has been one of his primary influences since he was 13, and its influence continued in ''Infinity Train''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/animated-people/animated-people-owen-dennis-infinity-train-steams-ahead/ | title=Animated People: Owen Dennis' 'Infinity Train' Steams Ahead | author=Animation Magazine | work=[[Animation Magazine]] | date=August 4, 2019 | access-date=August 5, 2019}}</ref> He also cites ''[[Doctor Who]]'', [[Agatha Christie]], ''[[The NeverEnding Story (film)|The NeverEnding Story]]'', ''[[The Matrix]]'', [[Philip K. Dick]], ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', ''[[Sliders]]'', and "[[The Mysterious Stranger]]" segment from ''[[The Adventures of Mark Twain (1985 film)|The Adventures of Mark Twain]]'' as influences, along with novels such as ''[[Nightbirds on Nantucket]]'' and ''[[The Wolves of Willoughby Chase]]''.<ref>{{citation |quote=Doctor Who, Agatha Christie, Myst, Neverending Story, The Matrix, Phillip K Dick, Star Trek Voyager, Sliders, and a lot of books that my parents used to read to me like Nightbirds on Nantucket, Wolves of Willoughby Chase, etc. -OD" |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain/comments/co6u6w/owen_and_maddie_here_ask_us_anything/ewga5ah/ |title=Owen and Maddie here – ask us anything! |website=reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain |date=Aug 9, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dennis |first1=Owen |title=So today I found out that many people on my crew haven't seen this segment from the Adventures of Mark Twain, adapted from his story "The Mysterious Stranger". If you wanna know the aesthetic that is affecting Infinity Train, this is it. I've never seen a piece of media that has spoken to me and who I am as much as this does. This is just my soul. If I ever make something half as good as this, I'll die happy. |url=https://oweeeeendennis.tumblr.com/post/152830686692/unfortunately-thats-not-up-to-me-but-i-can-try |website=Tumblr |access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref> Dennis has also described ''Infinity Train'' as "''[[Saw (franchise)|Saw]]'' for kids," in that each season is essentially a morality play based around machinery designed to help one overcome personal issues and appreciate life.<ref>{{cite tweet | author=Owen Dennis | user=oweeeeendennis | number=1302597715390472192 | date=September 6, 2020 | title=lol I talked many MANY times in the writers' room about Saw. I've seen every Saw movie, all in theaters. "Yeah, it's like Saw for kids." is a phrase I've said countless times. | link=https://twitter.com/oweeeeendennis/status/1302597715390472192?s=21}}</ref> ===Development=== ''Infinity Train'' has three staff writers, who make up the main story team in addition to showrunner Dennis and supervising producer/director Maddie Queripel. [[Cole Sanchez]] served on the story team for Book 1's development but departed to work as supervising producer on ''[[Summer Camp Island]]''. The process on each episode was that a writer would make an outline, an expansion of the outline, a script, and then would send it to a team of two board artists. The 'boarders' would have 5 weeks to make thumbnails, then the full boards, and then clean them up, before it would be sent away for animation. The animation is done by [[Sunmin Image Pictures]] in Seoul, South Korea using [[traditional animation]] methods.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LTD|first=SMIP CO|title=SMIP. CO., LTD|url=http://smipkorea.com/company/history|access-date=2020-11-01|website=smipkorea.com|language=ko}}</ref> ===2016 pilot=== {{Quote box | quote=This show was made because of the massive fan reaction to the pilot, and fans are what will help make more happen in the future. — Beth Elderkin, [[io9]]<ref name="Future Is in Jeopardy"/> | align=left | width=25% }} The pilot was first released on the Cartoon Network App and [[Video on demand|VOD]] on November 1, 2016, and released the following day on the official Cartoon Network [[YouTube]] channel. The short garnered a million views within its first month of availability and has since gained 5.2&nbsp;million views as of July 2020, making it the most viewed pilot on the channel while two other originals, ''[[Welcome to My Life (pilot)|Welcome to My Life]]'' is the second most viewed pilot, and ''[[Twelve Forever]]'' (later moved to [[Netflix]]) being the third most viewed pilot.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://oweeeeendennis.tumblr.com/post/154199062042/yyyeeeeeaaaaahhhhh | title=Oh, Hey, Hello. - YYYEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!!!! | author=Owen Dennis | date=December 8, 2016 | website=Tumblr | access-date=March 3, 2018}}</ref> A petition to greenlight ''Infinity Train'' was made shortly after the pilot was released and garnered over 57,000 signatures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cartoonbuzz.net/2017/10/03/cartoon-networks-infinity-train-why-isnt-this-a-show-yet/|title=Cartoon Network's Infinity Train: Why Isn't This a Show Yet?!|date=October 3, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2018 |website=cartoonbuzz}}</ref> On March 11, 2018, Cartoon Network's official website launched a teaser for ''Infinity Train'' that confirmed the pilot had been greenlit as a full series and would premiere in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/infinity-train/|title=Infinity Train|date=March 2, 2018|access-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303072823/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/infinity-train/|archive-date=March 3, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/cartoon-network-rolls-out-largest-ever-slate-deepens-creative-bench-1202316509/ | title=Cartoon Network Rolls Out Largest-Ever Slate, Deepens Creative Bench | author=Dade Hayes | website=Deadline | date=March 8, 2018 | access-date=September 1, 2020}}</ref> ===Full production=== {{multiple image | direction = vertical | width = 300 | footer = [[Tulip Olsen|Tulip]], One-One and Atticus as seen in the pilot (top) and in the season 1 episode "The Corgi Car" (bottom). | image1 = Infinity-Train-2016-Pilot.png | alt1 = Infinity Train (Pilot) | image2 = Infinity-Train-2019-S01E03.png | alt2 = Infinity Train (S01E03) }} In July 2018, a sneak peek of the first season was revealed on the Cartoon Network panel at the 2018 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]. It was released a couple of hours later on Cartoon Network's social media platforms.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=December 2019}} A full trailer for ''Infinity Train'' was released in June 2019 which was unlocked by playing the show theme on the ''Infinity Train'' website. It was later uploaded to Cartoon Network's YouTube channel.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=December 2019}} On July 11, 2019, the show was confirmed to premiere on August 5, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/infinity-train-premiere-date-cartoon-network-series-1202644536/|title='Infinity Train': Cartoon Network Series Set For Five-Day Rollout Next Month|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=2019-07-11|website=Deadline |access-date=2019-07-12}}</ref> On July 20, 2019, the first episode was shown during the ''Infinity Train'' panel at San Diego Comic-Con. It was then released on the Cartoon Network app and website later that same day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/20/20699402/infinity-train-trailer-release-date-sdcc-2019|title=Infinity Train trailer and first episode arrives at the SDCC station right ahead of release|last=Radulovic|first=Petrana|date=2019-07-20|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref> The first season would be 10 episodes long, with two episodes airing each night from August 5 to August 9, 2019.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1153484963934638080|title=Infinity Train is 10 episodes. 2 episodes a night for 5 nights, starting August 5th. It was designed to be watched as 2 episodes every night for 5 nights because that's what CN did for OTGW, so we thought it might work that way with us too. It flows well this way, I like it.|first=Owen |last=Dennis|date=2019-07-22|user=OweeeeenDennis |access-date=2019-07-24}}</ref> From October 18, 2019, Cartoon Network started uploading a series of ''Infinity Train'' shorts onto their app and YouTube channel called "The Train Documentaries", which focused on One-One showing off a number of cars in the train, including "The Green Car", "Tiny Wizard Car", "The Kaiju Car" and "The Tech Support Car". A promo after the final episode of the first season confirmed the series would return.<ref name="nexttime">{{Cite AV Media |title=Until Next Time {{!}} Infinity Train {{!}} Cartoon Network|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJg3RGhZxzw |access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref> On November 22, 2019, the ''Infinity Train'' website was updated with a new claw machine puzzle. Completing the puzzle leads to a trailer for Book 2. The trailer was then released officially the next day.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cartoon Network |title=Infinity Train: Book Two (Official Trailer) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9livZeXARWU |website=YouTube |access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> Book Two debuted on January 6, 2020.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Cartoon Network |user=cartoonnetwork |title=Another door will open in 2020 ♾🚃⁣⁣ ⁣⁣Infinity Train Book 2: Cracked Reflection, a five night special event, starts in the U.S. on Monday January 6th at 7:30p on Cartoon Network!⁣⁣|number=1202271594535624705 |date=Dec 4, 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> On July 6, 2020, Book 3 was officially announced with a release date of August 13, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Third Installment of Animated Anthology Series Infinity Train will Premiere Exclusively on HBO Max This Summer |url=https://pressroom.warnermediagroup.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/third-installment-animated-anthology-series-infinity-train-will-premiere-exclusively |website=Warner Media Group |access-date=6 July 2020}}</ref> Unlike its predecessors, it aired on [[HBO Max]] instead of [[Cartoon Network]]. Dennis revealed in a reply to a tweet that ''Infinity Train'' was originally planned to air on HBO Max from the beginning, but due to the streaming service's delay from its original 2019 launch date, the first two seasons were aired on Cartoon Network instead.<ref>{{cite tweet | author=Owen Dennis | user=oweeeeendennis | number=1294083305944408065 | date=August 13, 2020 | title=Infinity Train was supposed to come out on HBO Max a year ago, but it didn't exist yet because of the lawsuit with Warner/AT&T, so everything got held up. The show is still made under CNS though, so we have the same rules we've always had but the money comes from HBO Max. | link=https://twitter.com/oweeeeendennis/status/1294083305944408065?s=21 | access-date=September 9, 2020}}</ref> It was later revealed at San Diego Comic-Con that the book would be titled ''Cult of the Conductor''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amDDTsLhkLY | title=HBO Max And Cartoon Network Studios: Infinity Train Comic-Con@Home 2020 | author=Comic-Con International | date=July 24, 2020 | website=YouTube | access-date=September 9, 2020}}</ref> Book 3 was released in three batches, with the first five episodes debuting on August 13, the next three on August 20, and the final two on August 27.<ref>{{cite tweet | author=Owen Dennis | user=oweeeeendennis | number=1294374328616673280 | date=August 14, 2020 | title=When do the next set of infinity train episodes release? 8/20 - 3 more episodes 8/27 - The last 2 episodes | link=https://twitter.com/oweeeeendennis/status/1294374328616673280?s=21 | access-date=August 15, 2020}}</ref> On February 17, 2021, Book 4 was officially announced with a teaser trailer containing distorted audio.<ref name="Book 4 WM PR" /><ref name="Book 4 Polygon">{{cite web|title=Infinity Train is full steam ahead for Book 4|website=Polygon|access-date=17 February 2021|first=Petrana|last=Radulovic|url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2021/2/17/22287720/infinity-train-season-four-cartoon-network-hbo-max}}</ref><!-- DON'T add "Demon Slayer". Owen Dennis's tweet that Book Four would be called "Infinity Train: Demon Slayer" is (presumably) a joke about the fact that there's an unrelated anime film called "Demon Slayer: Infinity Train". --> ==Future== On August 16, 2020, while ''Infinity Train'' Book 3 was releasing on HBO Max, Dennis reported that though the team had plans for more seasons, the whole crew and most of the production staff had been laid off, and the possibility of a series renewal depended on the series' viewership on HBO Max.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Owen Dennis |user=OweeeeenDennis |number=1295137670499168256 |date=August 16, 2020 |title=And we can make more, *IF* we get the views. Right now, our whole crew was laid off and they all got new jobs. They wanna make more, I'd like to make more, so we have to watch the show and get other people (especially teens and young adults) to also watch the show on HBO Max. |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200817030533/https://twitter.com/OweeeeenDennis/status/1295137670499168256 |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Future Is in Jeopardy">{{cite web|author=Beth Elderkin|date=August 26, 2020|title=Infinity Train's Creator Says the Show's Future Is in Jeopardy|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/infinity-trains-creator-says-the-shows-future-is-in-jeo-1844852183|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=[[io9]]}}</ref><ref name="GizmodoFutureJeopardy">{{Cite web |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/infinity-trains-creator-says-the-shows-future-is-in-jeo-1844852183 |title=Infinity Train's Creator Says the Show's Future Is in Jeopardy |last=Elderkin |first=Beth |website=Gizmodo |date=August 26, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref><ref name="HITCRenewalS4">{{Cite web |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/27/infinity-train-season-4-release-date/ |title=INFINITY TRAIN SEASON 4: HBO MAX RENEWAL STATUS, POTENTIAL RELEASE DATE AND CARTOON NETWORK |last=Llewellyn |first=Tom |website=HITC |date=August 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="PolygonShowsPotential">{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/8/20/21377124/infinity-train-book-3-review-hbo-max-new-seasons |title=Book 3 of Infinity Train shows the series' infinite potential |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |website=HITC |date=August 20, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2020 }}</ref> When asked how many more seasons of ''Infinity Train'' were planned, Dennis stated "We have rough ideas for themes and which characters we'd like to follow for five more seasons, up to season eight. Feels like '8' is a good place to stop because it looks like an infinity symbol."<ref name="Future Is in Jeopardy" /> When asked what he would like to do with the series in the future, Dennis expressed interest in exploring other time periods of the train, as well as a movie following Amelia's story. Dennis also stated that a season with an older Tulip was considered.<ref name="video game" /> Dennis expressed interest in doing ''Infinity Train'' comic books that "are in canon and could be written by or starring non-Americans."<ref name="Future Is in Jeopardy"/><ref name="video game"/> Dennis said that there were plans to make an ''Infinity Train'' video game, and there was an ''Infinity Train'' [[Virtual reality game|VR]] experience "where you hung out and solved puzzles in Corginia." Dennis also stated that a choose-your-own-adventure novel was considered. However, all of these projects were shelved when company priorities shifted.<ref name="video game">{{cite web | url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/infinity-train-season-5-release-date-movie-video-game-interview/amp | title='INFINITY TRAIN' SEASON 5? CREATOR PLANNED A MOVIE, A VIDEO GAME, AND MORE | first=Just | last=Lunning | date=April 20, 2021 | website=Inverse | access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref> On March 11, 2021, it was announced that ''Infinity Train'' would end with its fourth season.<ref name="FinalSeason"/> Dennis clarified on Twitter that he did not intend for it to be the final season, and remains open to continuing the show in the future if given the opportunity.<ref>{{cite tweet |user= Oweeeeendennis | author=Owen Dennis | number=1370078407136997379 | date=March 11, 2021 | title=While this wasn't the intended final season of #infinitytrain, it is a self-contained story, and will add to the history and lore of the show like each season before it has. Everyone worked super hard on it, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. | language=En | access-date=March 11, 2021 | link=https://twitter.com/oweeeeendennis/status/1370078407136997379?s=21}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user= Oweeeeendennis | author=Owen Dennis | number=1370078409397739522 | date=March 11, 2021 | title=Production stopped last December. Maybe someday we'll be able to make more, I don't know, but for the foreseeable future, this is going to be the last season and I hope you all have a good time watching it. Continue to support it however you can! | language=En | access-date=March 11, 2021 | link=https://twitter.com/oweeeeendennis/status/1370078409397739522?s=21}}</ref> In a [[Reddit AMA]] on April 16, 2021, the day after Book 4's release, Dennis confirmed that Book 5 would have been the aforementioned Amelia-focused movie, and although a full script had been written, Cartoon Network Studios passed it on because they didn't think it had a "child entry point."<ref>{{citation |quote=We wrote an ''Infinity Train'' movie. It was season 5. They passed on it though because they thought it didn't have a child entry point. The show is over and no one is working on making anymore of it. I'd love to make more, but it's not what Cartoon Network wants to make right now.<br>It's very unfortunate, however, maybe someday it'll change! Many shows have come back after they've been cancelled because of fan engagement, so anything is possible as long as fans exist. – oweeeeendennis---------The man himself!|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain/comments/mrrwrm/i_am_owen_dennis_creator_of_infinity_train_on/guol1rd/ |title=I am Owen Dennis, creator of Infinity Train on HBOMax which just released {{sic|i|t's|nolink=y}} 4th and final season today! AMA! |website=reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain |date=April 16, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |quote=Will we ever get some sort of Rough Script for Book 5, if it never gets released? Like how Marc Laidlaw did with Half-Life: Epistle 3? – LiamQuantum<br>No, because a full script was written. No reason to release anything except the full script (which I won't) – oweeeeendennis---------The man himself!|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain/comments/mrrwrm/i_am_owen_dennis_creator_of_infinity_train_on/guogmhc/ |title=I am Owen Dennis, creator of Infinity Train on HBOMax which just released it's 4th and final season today! AMA! |website=reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain |date=April 16, 2021 }}</ref> Dennis also claimed that books 5, 6, 7, and 8 would have covered the themes of grief, guilt, revenge, and acceptance, respectively,<ref>{{citation |quote=5) Grief 6) Guilt 7) Revenge 8) Acceptance– oweeeeendennis---------The man himself!|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain/comments/mrrwrm/i_am_owen_dennis_creator_of_infinity_train_on/guoh4qu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3 |title=I am Owen Dennis, creator of Infinity Train on HBOMax which just released it's 4th and final season today! AMA! |website=reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain |date=April 16, 2021 }}</ref> and Book 8 would have touched on [[Alzheimer's disease]].<ref>{{citation |quote=Fuck this is horrifying dude. We did have a season where I wanted to touch on Alzheimers, the final season actually. It was going to be loosely inspired by an autobiography that my grandfather wrote while he was slowly succumbing to it. – oweeeeendennis---------The man himself!|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain/comments/mrrwrm/i_am_owen_dennis_creator_of_infinity_train_on/guofybt/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3 |title=I am Owen Dennis, creator of Infinity Train on HBOMax which just released it's 4th and final season today! AMA! |website=reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain |date=April 16, 2021 }}</ref> Dennis and series writer Lindsay Katai stated that there were also plans for an ''Infinity Train'' Christmas special.<ref>{{Cite web|title=r/InfinityTrain - Comment by u/oweeeeendennis on ”I am Owen Dennis, creator of Infinity Train on HBOMax which just released it's 4th and final season today! AMA!”|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/InfinityTrain/comments/mrrwrm/i_am_owen_dennis_creator_of_infinity_train_on/guo7uq1|access-date=2021-05-13|website=reddit|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=https://twitter.com/lindsaykatai/status/1383662954650898432|url=https://twitter.com/lindsaykatai/status/1383662954650898432|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> On May 8, 2021, Dennis released a mockup frame from the unproduced Book 5 in response to a fan movement to renew the show trending #1 worldwide and in multiple regions on [[Twitter]].<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Owen Dennis |user=OweeeeenDennis |number=1391030879263264769 |date=May 8, 2021 |title=As a thank you for that amazing Infinity Train trend party on April 29th (which got the hashtag to NUMBER ONE for 6 hours!), here's the mock up still I promised from the Amelia movie/5th season!|url=https://twitter.com/oweeeeendennis/status/1391030879263264769|access-date=2021-05-08|language=en}}</ref> ==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Infinity Train: Book 1 (Original Soundtrack) | type = soundtrack | artist = Infinity Train [feat. Chrome Canyon] | cover = | alt = | released = December 6, 2019 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = Soundtrack | length = {{Duration|m=47|s=41}} | label = [[Cartoon Network]] | producer = Chrome Canyon & Owen Dennis | prev_title = Running Away (Extended) | prev_year = 2019 | next_title = Train to Nowhere | next_year = 2021 }} On December 6, 2019, ''Infinity Train: Book 1 (Original Soundtrack)'' was released with 27 songs from the first season, including extended versions of "Running Away" and "Boogie Bash (The Monster Party Car)".<ref>{{Cite web|title=The sound of Tulip's journey is available NOW! Download and stream the #InfinityTrain Book 1 soundtrack composed by Chrome Canyon and Owen Dennis!⁣|url=https://twitter.com/cartoonnetwork/status/1203034380391911426|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> On April 15, 2021, the song "Train to Nowhere" from Book 4 was released as a single.<ref>{{Cite web|title=One ticket for the Train to Nowhere, please. Listen to the FULL SONG from #InfinityTrain Book 4 and watch the complete series now on @HBOMax! #ad|url=https://twitter.com/cartoonnetwork/status/1383091450678812675|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> ==Home media== ''Infinity Train: Book One'' was released on DVD on April 21, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nothingbutgeek.com/2020/02/infinity-train-book-one-home-release-information/|title=Infinity Train: Book One Home Release Information|date=2020-02-05|website=Nothing But Geek|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-05}}</ref> It includes animatics, commentary tracks, and ''The Train Documentaries'' shorts. ''Infinity Train: Book Two'' was released on DVD on May 25, 2021.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=CineDump|number= 1364631274120351745 |title=All Aboard for a Mind-Bending Journey{{break}}INFINITY TRAIN: BOOK TWO{{break}}The DVD Arrives at Your Destination on May 25th{{break}}From Warner Bros. Home Entertainment|access-date=2021-02-24|language=en}}</ref> ==Reception== ===Critical reception=== ''Infinity Train'' received critical acclaim upon its debut. On ''[[Rotten Tomatoes]]'', each season has an approval rating of 100%, with season 1 based on reviews from 8 critics<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/infinity_train/s01 |title= Infinity Train Season 1 |date=2020-08-27 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2020-11-01 }}</ref> and the other three from 6 each.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/infinity_train/s02 |title= Infinity Train Season 2 |date=2020-08-27 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2020-11-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/infinity_train/s03 |title= Infinity Train Season 3 |date=2020-08-27 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2021-05-06 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/infinity_train/s04 |title= Infinity Train Season 4 |date=2021-04-15 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2021-05-06 }}</ref> Caroline Cao of ''[[/Film]]'' declared it a "wild triumph",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/infinity-train-review/|title='Infinity Train' Review: Cartoon Network's New Show is a Wild Triumph|date=2019-08-13 |website=/Film |access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref> while ''[[Nerdist Industries|Nerdist]]''<nowiki/>'s Andrea Towers declared it "one of the best animated programs of the year."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nerdist.com/article/infinity-train-why-you-should-watch/|title=INFINITY TRAIN Is a Surreal Adventure About Self-Reflection and Talking Corgis|website=Nerdist|access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref> Reuben Baron of ''[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]'' favorably compared it to [[Cartoon Network]]'s animated miniseries ''[[Over the Garden Wall]]'' in its perfection, hailing it as "a beautifully handled piece of self-contained, character-driven storytelling."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/review-infinity-train/|title=REVIEW: Infinity Train's Self-Contained Story Leaves You Wanting More|date=2019-08-11|website=CBR |access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref> Skyler Johnson from ''Comic Watch'' called it "excellent", with "emotional depth that is rarely seen in children's television", "witty, clever humor", and "stellar voice action."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comic-watch.com/television-shows/infinity-train-season-1-review|title=Infinity Train: Season 1 Review|last=Johnson|first=Skyler|date=2019-08-12|website=Comic Watch |access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref> Emily Ashby of ''[[Common Sense Media]]'' gave the series 5 out of 5 stars. In her review Ashby praised the positive messages about friendship and self-reflection. Ashby also praised the character of [[Tulip Olsen|Tulip]] and the show's emotional moments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/infinity-train | title=Infinity Train Review | first=Emily |last=Ashby| date=19 August 2019 | publisher=Common Sense Media}}</ref> The third season of ''Infinity Train'' particularly received critical acclaim. William Hughes of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' praised season 3 for its darker themes and messages, hailing it as "the best, most challenging season yet."<ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=William |title=Book 3 is Infinity Train's best, most challenging season yet |url=https://tv.avclub.com/book-3-is-infinity-train-s-best-most-challenging-seaso-1844694673 |website=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Petrana Radulovic from ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' praised the series' complex character arcs and noted the third season is a testament to the infinite potential of the premise.<ref>{{cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |title=Book 3 of Infinity Train shows the series' infinite potential |url=https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/2020/8/20/21377124/infinity-train-book-3-review-hbo-max-new-seasons |website=Polygon |access-date=30 August 2020}}</ref> Andrew Kolondra Jr. from ''[[The Vanderbilt Hustler]]'' called season 3 "genre-defying" and said "thanks to shows like ''Infinity Train'', the modern animation world is finally approaching a point at which it may break free of the notion that animation is 'just for kids.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vanderbilthustler.com/33956/featured/taking-character-development-off-the-rails-in-infinity-train-book-3/ | title=Taking character development off the rails in 'Infinity Train: Book 3' | author=Andrew Kolondra Jr. | date=August 31, 2020 | website=[[The Vanderbilt Hustler]] | access-date=September 2, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Observer Media]]'' said the show has grown into its own, developing a compelling world and internal mysteries "that will draw you in with a masterclass in character development to fuel your drive to keep going."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://observer.com/2020/09/infinity-train-book-3-review-owen-dennis/ | title='Infinity Train' Book 3 Proves the Show Can Do Anything With Its Premise | author=Just Lunning | date=September 7, 2020 | website=Observer | access-date=September 9, 2020}}</ref> Beth Elderkin of ''[[io9]]'' praised season 3 for "enhancing the show's dedication to avoiding black-and-white views of morality". Elderkin particularly praised episode 5 of season 3 for its "stunning revelations" saying "it's worth watching for those alone."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/infinity-train-book-3-is-about-the-lies-we-tell-ourselv-1844714465/amp | title=Infinity Train Book 3 Is About the Lies We Tell Ourselves | author=Beth Elderkin |website=io9 | date=August 13, 2020 | access-date=December 18, 2020}}</ref> The fourth and final season of ''Infinity Train'' also received positive notice, though reception was considerably subdued compared to Book 3. The bulk of criticism was directed towards its lighthearted tone after the darker themes of the previous season, as well as its lack of finality, though many critics acknowledged in their reviews that Book 4 was not intended to be the final season. Darren Franich of ''Entertainment Weekly'' still hailed it as "a solid season of television."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Franich |first1=Darren |title=Infinity Train is your next great discovery: Review |url=https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/infinity-train-is-your-next-great-discovery/ |website=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> James Poniewozik of ''The New York Times'' agreed that the ending was bittersweet with the knowledge that the series was ending before the creative team had planned, but praised its humor and characters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Poniewozik |first1=James |title=The Strange, Lovely ‘Infinity Train’ Reaches the End of the Line |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/arts/television/infinity-train-final-season.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> ===Ratings=== To test the waters for a potential full series, the pilot for ''Infinity Train'' was first aired on Cartoon Network on Saturday February 11, 2017 at 6:00 AM without any advertisements for it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://regularcapital.toonsphere.com/2017/02/infinity-train-pilot-debuts-on-cartoon-network-usa-11th-february-6am/?hcb=1 | title=Infinity Train Pilot Debuts On Cartoon Network USA 11th February 6am | date=February 10, 2017 | website=Toonsphere}}</ref> Despite this, the pilot pulled in approximately 703,000 views amongst the 18–49 year old demographic and ranked as the 33rd of the top 50 original cable telecasts for February 11, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-saturday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-11-2017.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215023801/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-saturday-cable-originals-network-finals-2-11-2017.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |title=Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals Network Finals 2.11.2017|date=February 14, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2017}}</ref> In September 2020, ''Parrot Analytics'' found that the audience demand for ''Infinity Train'' was 21.3 times the demand of the average TV series in the United States within 30 days of its release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tv.parrotanalytics.com/US/infinity-train-cartoon-network | title=United States TV audience demand for Infinity Train | website=Parrot Analytics | access-date=September 9, 2020}}</ref> In December 2020, ''[[Observer Media]]'' reported that ''Infinity Train'' was the fourth most-watched original series on HBO Max since its launch in May.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Katz | first1=Brandon | title=The TV Shows People Streamed the Most in 2020 | date=December 14, 2020 | url=https://observer.com/2020/12/amazon-apple-disney-hulu-most-popular-shows/ |website=Observer |access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref> ===Awards and nominations=== ''Infinity Train: The Perennial Child'' was nominated in 2020 at the [[47th Annie Awards]] in the category ''Best Special Production''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://annieawards.org/legacy/47th-annie-awards | title=47th Annual Annie Awards Legacy Past Nominess & Winners | website=annieawards.org | access-date=August 31, 2020}}</ref> ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==Further reading== * {{cite news |last=Justin |first=Neal |title=Can you spot the Minnesota references in Cartoon Network's 'Infinity Train'? |url=http://www.startribune.com/can-you-spot-the-minnesota-references-in-cartoon-network-s-infinity-train/566649671/ |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=January 2, 2020}} ==External links== {{wikiquote}} * {{IMDb title | 6212344 | Infinity Train |quotes=yes)}} (2016 short film) * {{IMDb title | 8146754 | Infinity Train}} (TV Series) * {{YouTube|id=oY6kfVWv01k|title="Infinity Train" (2016)}} {{Infinity Train}} {{Former Cartoon Network original programming}} {{HBO Max}} {{Portal bar|Cartoon|Animation|Television|Cartoon Network}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Infinity Train| ]] [[Category:2010s American animated television series]] [[Category:2020s American animated television series]] [[Category:2010s American anthology television series]] [[Category:2020s American anthology television series]] [[Category:2019 American television series debuts]] [[Category:2021 American television series endings]] [[Category:American children's animated anthology television series]] [[Category:Anime-influenced Western animated television series]] [[Category:English-language television shows]] [[Category:Cartoon Network original programming]] [[Category:Cartoon Network Studios series]] [[Category:Trains in fiction]] [[Category:Works set on trains]] [[Category:Animated television series about teenagers]] [[Category:Animated television series about robots]] [[Category:Television shows set in Minnesota]] [[Category:Teen animated television series]] [[Category:HBO Max original programming]]'