Faith-based film-making has come a long way. Now, with “King of Kings,” it continues its occasional foray into animation.

The star-studded new kids’ movie “The King of Kings” cleverly tells the story of the gospels with a creative framing device.

Though initially conceived as a 10-part anime short, the success of the series’ Kickstarter campaigns has allowed Michinoku-toge, the pseudonymous animator behind the project, to expand to 15 planned ...