Cartoon Network’s SNAPTOONS reveals finalists

Hong Kong – Cartoon Network Asia's SNAPTOONS (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons), a pitch designed to identify the next generation of cartoon heroes, has announced three finalists from Singapore and the completion of two animated shorts from Malaysia.
Shortlisted finalists are chosen based on the originality and creativity of the concept while fulfilling the Cartoon Network criteria of being fun, funny and character driven.
The three Singapore shortlists are 101 Ways: The World by Sabreena Shanu; Maxine Starr Last Vanguard of the Zodiac by Kane Wheatley-Holder; and DNA - Definitely Not Animals by Dreamforest Animation. Production of shorts are expected to be completed by 2014. The completed shorts from Malaysia are Blox Brigade by Unizaru; and Ziro The Wizard…In Training by Tomato Animation. Both shorts, four and ten minutes long respectively, took a year to complete.
Kamil Othman, the Vice President for the Creative Multimedia Department at MDeC, said initiatives like SNAPTOONS provide an excellent opportunity for members of the local creative fraternities to convene and share their knowledge and insights with their regional and global counterparts. This will in turn inspire the birth and growth of new animation studios and talents who can lead Malaysia's creative industry.
SNAPTOONS invites animation industry professionals, individual animators and animation studios to submit their pitches with the potential to see their ideas come to life alongside Cartoon Network's lineup of iconic characters. Johnny Bravo for example, developed as a result of the SNAPTOONS initiative.

LaMB Sneak Preview at Greenbelt My Cinema

I was recently invited to attend the Sneak Preview of LaMB, Animax Asia�s first original animation production for online, mobile and TV, at My Cinema, Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center.

The invitation said that Registration and Cocktails will start at 6pm so I thought that they would start the sneak preview at 7pm. Even though I left home early, I arrived around 6:30pm ‘cos of the damn traffic at Edsa.
Forgot it was a Friday, which is always traffic-heavy everywhere, and it’s even Friday the 13th! O_O
Anyway, I found out later that the LaMB Sneak Preview will start at 8pm, so there’s lots of time to eat, mingle with the crowd and take some photos. ^^

The LaMB poster in between Animax Asia’s Original Characters, Jo and Jasmine.

It’s interesting to note that Jasmine was conceptualized by Manila-based Chester Ocampo, a Filipino Digital Illustrator whose works has been featured in Animax, Cartoon Network, Mitsubishi, Peach Blossom Media and Summit Media, to name a few.

Sonia, another Animax Asia Original Character.

Marc Anthony Reyman, the 1st place winner in Animax’s LaMB Blogging Contest.

Animasia’s Bola Kampung Feature Film

Malaysia’s Animasia Studio is planning to adapt one of its popular animated series to the big screens by the end of 2012. The series is called Bola Kampung, which will be rendered in CG and will follow the story of two characters inside a virtual game world, Amanda and Iwan, who must search for the legendary Suria Warrior and get its help in fighting off evil assassins, as well as destroy an evil virus.
Bola Kampung – The Movie was produced by Animasia Studio in association with Young Jump Animation, and will be showcased at the Hong Kong Filmart this month (Mar 19-22). The TV series it was based on airs on Disney Channel Asia and Cartoon Network Asia in as many as 16 countries.

Edmund Chan, Managing Director of Animasia Studio said, “Similar to Hollywood-based animated features, Animasia will be casting an first-class list of voice talents who are Malaysia’s top celebrities,” says Edmund Chan, managing director of Animasia. “I am confident that this coming together of the top producers and celebrities will certainly enhance the high quality and professionalism of the movie.”

Marvel moves to Cartoon Network Asia Pacific

Starting next year, most of the superheroes from Marvel’s universe will be relocating their animated series in the Asian regions to Cartoon Network. Marvel recently signed a deal with Cartoon Network Asia Pacific that will bring at least three of the most popular cartoons to the channel. Included within the deal are: Marvel Super Hero Squad (to launch in 2010), The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (to launch in 2011), and Thor (to launch in 2012).

CN Asia Pacific, Xilam to Co-Produce Oggy and the Cockroaches

MIPTV -- CANNES -- Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has entered into an exclusive co-production agreement with leading French animation studio, Xilam, to create season four of the hit animated comedy series: Oggy and the Cockroaches. The co-production agreement reinforces Cartoon Network’s ongoing commitment to investing in premium quality animation to engage fans across the region.
First produced in 1999, the series is fast becoming a popular evergreen in Asia Pacific. This latest instalment of Oggy and the Cockroaches will comprise 26 half-hour episodes of fast, crazy and hilarious adventures, but this time with a brand new twist: Oggy is in love! For the first time ever, Oggy falls head over heels for newcomer Olivia, his pretty next door neighbour, while pesky roaches, Joey, Marky and Dee Dee do their best to wreak havoc on his home.
In addition to the new episodes, the order will also include some special episodes that will take Oggy and his mischievous roaches out of their regular episode format to feature them in new environments and situations. Xilam and Cartoon Network are particularly excited to be collaborating in order to produce a unique Indian-inspired special, something that will strike a particular chord with a well-established fan base in this territory.
Layla Lewis, Director, Programming, Acquisitions & Development, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc, said, “Oggy and the Cockroaches has a winning comedy formula that has made it hugely popular with kids in the Asia Pacific region. We’re thrilled to partner with Xilam Animation and to invest in the latest series, ensuring that Oggy and the Cockroaches becomes part of a formidable comedy line up on Cartoon Network Asia Pacific this year.”
Marc du Pontavice, Chairman and CEO, Xilam Animation said, “Oggy's worldwide success continues and we are delighted to announce that Cartoon Network is committed to being Oggy's Asia-Pacific broadcaster, as well as one of the major production partners for the brand new season. We believe that Cartoon Network will lead this unique animation property in its quest to gain the hearts of kids throughout the region.
Oggy and the Cockroaches: Season 4 will premiere on Cartoon Network across Asia Pacific in Q4 of 2012. Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has also acquired the rights to seasons one to three (65 x 30’) for the region.

Toei brings Pretty Cure to Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network fans are going to get a pretty deal! …get it? “Pretty”? …eh? …because… never mind. Anyway, the toon channel recently penned a deal with Toei Animation to bring some of the legendary anime company’s shows to it’s network, starting in the Australian and New Zealand regions. Turner Entertainment Networks Asia is overseeing the progress, targeting specifically on the Pretty Cure series. The magical girl anime metaseries debuted in 2004, and has continued with sequels and spinoffs, including Heartcatch Pretty Cure. The story follows the adventures of two regular girls who are granted superhero powers and go up against an evil force called the Dark Zone. Check out the toon in action!

Cartoon Network HD Launches in Indonesia

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific expanded its channel footprint in Indonesia with the debut of Cartoon Network HD on leading national cable platform, First Media.The launch of Cartoon Network HD is part of a regional rollout plan that kicked off in the Philippines in January. The new channel complements Turner’s existing portfolio of news and entertainment channels currently available in Indonesia including CNN, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies, truTV and Boomerang.
As the first kids’ high-definition channel for viewers in the world's fourth most populous country, Cartoon Network HD offers the ultimate TV experience to millions of homes with a host of award-winning animation in vivid audio and visual detail.
“Indonesia is a priority market for Turner in Asia and we’re thrilled to be joining with First Media to pioneer the ultimate kids’ TV viewing experience here. Our young and growing fan base is increasingly sophisticated in their content consumption, and Cartoon Network HD takes the experience of animated storytelling to a whole new level,” said Sunny Saha, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Entertainment Networks, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc.
Cartoon Network HD’s programming line-up features international award-winning comedy series such as The Amazing World of Gumball, Adventure Time, Chowder and all-time classics like the Tom & Jerry Show, Pink Panther & Pals and Scooby-Doo. For kids seeking adventure, alien-morphing boy hero Ben Tennyson will keep them entertained with all three series, Ben 10, Ben 10 Alien Force and Ben 10 Ultimate Alien.
Hengkie Liwanto, CEO of PT Link Net, a First Media subsidiary, added, “We are proud to be the first cable operator in Indonesia to introduce Cartoon Network in high definition. It represents another breakthrough service by First Media. The timing is perfect and with so many households now equipped with HD-ready TVs, viewers are looking for new ways to enjoy quality entertainment at home.”
Cartoon Network’s new HD format enables a brighter and bolder viewing experience due to the rich use of texture and detail inherent in the animation genre. The enhanced effects are evident in The Amazing World of Gumball where the use of different textures, including CGI, photo-realistic artwork and live action combine to create an eye-popping wow factor.

Inazuma Eleven will air on Cartoon Network Asia 6/7

I just saw this a while ago on Cartoon Network. Yes! Inazuma Eleven, that anime where Berryz Kobo sings the ending theme will air on Cartoon Network this June! I just hope CN won’t edit their ending to their own because I really wanna hear Berryz on my TV. Berryz Kobo sang the 2nd-4th ending theme of the song. They are Seishun Bus Guide, Ryuusei Boy, and Otakebi Boy Wao.