Ahead of MIP Junior and MIPCOM, Danish media house Copenhagen Bombay is introducing audiences to their latest new series Høj, and the mystical universe of its titular teen hero. The serialized series of 26 x 11′, co-produced with DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), encapsulates adventure, action and humor, laced with the folklore of Norse mythology.
The series follows the journey of Høj, a teenager who runs away from home and embarks on an epic adventure to retrieve the goddess Freya’s magical necklace that he took (then lost). Traveling through different realms, he discovers his true identity and learns the magical ability of shapeshifting.
First pitched at the Stuttgart Animation Production Days (APD) in 2020, Høj caught the attention of DR right away, says Morten Skov, the pubcaster’s Head of Children’s Content.
“Høj is an adventurous TV series that takes place in the aftermath of Ragnarök in Norse mythology,” Skov explains. “At DR we find the story of Høj highly entertaining with its extensive universe and the magic of shapeshifting. And in addition, we really appreciate the way the series introduces and retells some of the legendary myths from Norse mythology. We believe the series will bring children and parents together for a common experience.”
The partners aim to make Høj a core part of DR’s new venture into a family animation slate with a focus on original Danish-created content that encourages co-viewing.
Ahead of the show’s fall market debut, Copenhagen Bombay has shared exclusive first-look imagery with Animation Magazine, which reveals how Høj manifests his shapeshifting powers to turn into a Raven.
A Collaboration of Mythic Proportions
With this latest project, Copenhagen Bombay and DR bolster their long history of partnership for the development and production of kids’ content, which has delivered three seasons of the animated series Superhero Sprinter Galore. The series has since sold across Europe and the U.S.
With the partners back together for the creation of Høj, Copenhagen Bombay CEO & founder Sarita Christensen shares that she instantly picked the concept out as an IP with potential thanks to its unique world and story that aligns with the studio’s DNA.
“I’m very excited about the expansion of our great partnership with DR and the collaboration on this new adventurous fantasy series,” says Christensen. “Høj has a special touch of Nordic values, and the multiple realms of Norse mythology has a huge potential for further IP expansion.”
The series is created by rising Danish animation star Carl Otto Moesgaard and directed by talented Mikkel Mainz, best known for the popular web series Tales of Alethrion. The script is written by award-winning author/screenwriter Merlin P. Mann, who has a strong affinity for fantasy and sci-fi for young adults.
MIP Market Debut
Copenhagen Bombay Sales will be presenting a never-before-seen animatic for Høj at the MIP Junior screening room, as well as presenting finalized scripts and final character designs to potential buyers.
Worldwide rights, excluding the Nordics, are available for the series. All international sales are headed by Alexandra Cruz from Copenhagen Bombay Sales.
Høj is due to be completed by the end of 2023.
