Indie animation studio Mike Young Productions, Gamania Digital Entertainment and Cartoon Network International have joined forces to co-produce the new animated comedy/action series Hero: 108.
The flash-animated series has been developed with an eye towards online gaming and interactivity for the 6-11 year old worldwide audience. The production brings together artists from Asia, Europe and Hollywood, with Taiwan-based Gamania’s team sharing pre-production responsibilities and MYP augmenting their work at studios in Europe and the U.S..
‘We have really created an animation dream team for this show,’ says Bill Schultz, three-time Emmy winning partner and co-CEO of MYP, as well as executive producer on the project.
The production reunites Schultz with Taiwanese animation director and Gamania creative director Pongo Kuo, Gamania producer Sanvy Hsieh and three-time Emmy winner Lolee Aries (The Simpsons, King of the Hill). Schultz has worked with these three creatives on hundreds of half hours of classic award winning and nominated cartoons like Garfield & Friends, Bobby’s World and The Tom & Jerry Movie with the late Joe Barbera. Also on board are Rita Street (Ruby Gloom), president of Radar Cartoons, who will be executive producing for GDE, co-executive producer Kent Redeker and John Fountain (The Fairly OddParents) who will direct the series with Gamania’s Kuo.
‘Hero 108 possesses a rare combination of funny, original storytelling and fresh, exciting visuals,’ said Daniel Lennard, Vice President, Original Series and Development for Cartoon Network Europe. ‘The show is at the same time both spirited and sweet, and it is that sensibility which makes it feel like a true Cartoon Network program. We are eager to present the series to our worldwide kid audience and trust that they will love it as much as we do!’
Hero:108 is a coming-of-age tale, focused on 14 year old Lin Chung (a.k.a. Panther Eye), a young warrior with special powers. Lin is part of a group of kid defenders determined to end a conflict between animals and humans in a hidden kingdom. Based on the ancient Chinese novel The Water Margin, Hero:108 features striking Asian-influenced character designs by show creator Phoenix Tarng, who is also part of Gamania’s in-house creative development team.
