toonrandytalkstoons

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Macanudo is getting an animated adaptation!

Mercury Filmworks and the Danish-French studio Sun Creature are working on an animated adaptation of the Argentine comic strip Macanudo, created by Liniers!

King Features will represent the series as they're already the worldwide distributor of the comic strip (they also represented The Cuphead Show!)

All the studios involved are aiming for a 2027-28 release and will present the series at Annecy next month 🙂

Macanudo isn't the only Argentinian comic to get an animated adaptation as Netflix announced in 2024 that they're producing an adaptation of Mafalda! Also, the Macanudo comics have been collected and published in the U.S. in a series of books by Fantagraphics :)

[toonrandytalkstoons]

I have an interesting find: the Italian series My Bhoot Friends (also known as Orrendi per sempre or OPS), based on the Italian book series! The series is now available on YouTube!

I can't find a lot of info about this series -- maybe some of you could!🙂

[toonrandytalkstoons]

The news of Cyber Group Studios closing its doors reminded me of another animation-related company that got shut down: Although I haven't posted it here until now, London-based Jetpack Distribution lost a lot of money in the last few years of its existence. While they hadn't been involved in actual animation production, they were instrumental in picking up distribution rights to shows made around the world, including Oswaldo (Brazil), Kitty is Not a Cat (Australia), Jamie's Got Tentacles (France), and many more.

In September 2024, after a month of insolvency declared by Jetpack, CAKE Distribution, also based in London, purchased its assets. Series formerly with Jetpack are now represented by CAKE. CAKE is known for the Total Drama franchise, Space Chickens in Space, Jorel's Brother, and others.

As with Cyber Group, I also thank Jetpack for bringing to us many great series!

ICYW, my first Jetpack series I watched was Kitty is Not a Cat!

Series formerly distributed by Jetpack, clockwise: Oswaldo (Brazil), Vikingskool (France/Ireland), Kitty is Not a Cat (Australia), Jamie's Got Tentacles (France), The Sisters (France), and Alice's Diary (Brazil)

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Anyone excited for this new Asterix series? Cuz I am

ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT ‼️‼️

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Cyber Group Studios is no more :(

It's official: Cyber Group Studios is being liquidated to pay back its creditors by court order, it has been reported today.

The French animation outfit suddenly found itself into financial trouble starting in October 2024 and declared itself insolvent. Between then and today (April 28), Cyber Group welcomed several buyout deals to save the company; the company's higher-ups favored a buyout from one company, but the Paris Commercial Court ordered Cyber Group into liquidation in what I'm sure is a serious blow.

Gigantosaurus, one of Cyber Group's biggest hit series

It has been known that some parts within the animation industry has been experiencing a downturn -- not too long ago, fellow French studio TeamTO (Jade Armor, Elena of Avalor, My Knight and Me) also struggled financially and has since bought out by Italy-based RIVA Studios.

While I have already known about Cyber Group's struggles and saw this coming, I'm still bummed by this. It had become of my favorite animation studios and they have contributed to animation a great deal, even though a lot of the series they have produced weren't household names.

Ernest & Rebecca, an adaption of the graphic novel series of the same name

The first Cyber Group series I watched is Sadie Sparks. A few of the people in my friend group are fans of the series. I started watching it in 2023 -- I haven't gone beyond the first 5-10 episodes since ;P -- and it was a good series! Although it lasted only a single season, it left a good impression on me and I started to become interested in Cyber Group!

Sadie Sparks, a series blending 2D and CGI animation

And then came 50/50 Heroes.

50/50 Heroes: Half-siblings, half-superheroes!

My goodness, this series! I loved it so much, and I have mentioned how sweet this series is for something that's superhero related! Not to mention doggone hilarious and with awesome animation! I haven't completed the series yet, but I have to watch the rest soon.

Taffy: While I haven't seen this series yet, it does kinda reminds me of Tom & Jerry!

Cyber Group made and/or distributed a bunch of shows that I want to see: among them are Taffy, Ernest & Rebecca, The Pirates Next Door, Zak Jinks, Droners, Press Start! and others I may have forgotten!

The Pirates Next Door, based on a series of picture books first published in the U.K.

In the last several months leading to its liquidation, Cyber Group debuted Press Start! for Peacock in the U.S. (you can also find full episodes on YouTube), and Alex Player in France and Italy (no news for an English language dub yet but since the company is no longer existing it now seems unlikely).

Press Start!, based on the children's book series

Alex Player

Cyber Group still had several original series in development until its demise, including Hoodie Buddy, Yum Yum, Erica and Trevor vs. Spooky Monsters, and The Tern; and adaptations of Final Fantasy IX, Masters of the Unicorns, and Monster in My Pocket. Production of new episodes of its hit series Gigantosaurus was already under way, a third season of Taffy was in development, and I've heard rumors of a second season of 50/50 Heroes being developed around the 'net, but nothing has come out it. It is currently unknown whether existing IP or series in development would be purchased by other companies. Cyber Group has also distributed several of their series to YouTube and some free streaming services -- it's also currently unknown what will the future be for those.

Cyber Group Studios may be gone, but I'm hoping that other animation studios -- and especially animation studios in France -- continue to be in solid footing and do what they do best -- entertaining millions around the world and contributing to the great art that is animation.

Here's to Cyber Group and to everyone involved over the years for bringing us memories and great shows!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Monster Loving Maniacs is coming back for season 2!

Currently slated for release in late 2026!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Meet the voices of Belfort and Lupin for the series' English dub!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Recently I watched the first episode of StuGo, and it's great! You'll always find yourself rooting for these lovable nerds 😊

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Today's the 14th anniversary of Stella and Sam's debut! I've first heard about the series some time ago, and I'll check it out soon!

It's currently on Peacock and The Roku Channel 🙂

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Well, many of you have heard about a French animated series that debuted recently (on Okoo) that surprisingly went viral called Belfort & Lupin! Taking place in 17th century France at Versailles, the story is told from the animals' perspective, mainly by the heart of the series, dog Belfort and wolf Lupin!

Although the series has just started, hopefully one day it would appear in the U.S. It's shaping up to be a great series! Article

(And the gay overtones as well :))

[toonrandytalkstoons]

I just realized that I started watching Harriet the Spy a year ago and yet I'm still on the first four episodes...

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Did you know that before creating It's Pony Ant Blades made a short that appeared on Nickelodeon more than a decade ago? It's something I didn't until now! Here's Bull and Red, which appeared on several Nick international feeds, mainly throughout Asia!

And speaking of shorts from Blades, he recently made a new one at Birdbox (where he worked before It's Pony debuted) called "Summit"! Here's their page if you want to check it out (including videos)!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Just found out that the Canada-New Zealand-UK production Badjelly will make its debut on Family Channel in Canada this Sunday!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland trailer 🙂

The British animated special is now on Hulu as well as Prime Video in the U.S. and coming soon to Sky in the U.K.! A soundtrack album has also been released!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Here's the second episode of Shasha & Milo! It appears that they would upload full episodes from now on!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cyber Group Studios (@cybergroupstudios)

Here's a behind the scenes first look from Cyber Group's (50/50 Heroes) newest series Press Start! The series will debut in the U.S. soon!

[toonrandytalkstoons]

Here's the first episode of the French-South Korean animated series Shasha & Milo posted by the series' official YouTube channel -- the human-cat hybrid protectors of Crescent Island!

The series was first announced in 2022 and has since then produced an English dub, which recently debuted in the U.K., Canada and Australia. This might remind viewers of the Miraculous Ladybug franchise and considering its premise it's quite understandable -- it reminds me of it, too! Also fun!