U.K.-based kids’ content and feature film distributor The Media Pioneers (TMP) has struck a deal with renowned Japanese animation studio Tezuka Productions for the action-adventure-comedy series Go Astro Boy Go! TMP acquire the distribution rights for North America and Europe (excluding France) for the digital 2D animation series of 52 x 13′ episodes, targeted at children four to seven years old.
Drawing inspiration from the original 1963 animated TV series Astro Boy, the latest adaptation continues the legacy of Osamu Tezuka’s iconic manga collection. Go Astro Boy Go! follows the adventures of Astro Boy as he travels the globe combating disasters and thwarting crimes.
Synopsis: Astro Boy, the most advanced AI with a human boy appearance sets out to solve the planet’s most pressing issue. Joining him on his journey are teammates Astro Kitty, a kitten-like AI, and Suzu, a super intelligent human girl.
It’s the welfare of the planet that’s at stake. The issues troubling it and its inhabitants are real. Astro Boy is on a mission to help anyone anywhere in the world with a problem involving natural phenomena. It may be a conflict between different species, or an environmental crisis / ecological concern due to human activity, or a naturally occurring phenomenon like the thermal convection that generates a typhoon. Whatever the trouble — be it man-made or natural — our heroes evaluate it and respond to it in superhero style.
Garnering over $2.64 billion USD of the worldwide sales for related products, the original Astro Boy became a global sensation, especially in Japan and France, and in the U.S. where it was the first anime to be aired. It remains one of the best-selling manga series of all time and is the most recognizable superhero in Tezuka’s work.
“We are thrilled to have Go Astro Boy Go! in our catalog,” commented Maggie Liang, Managing Director of The Media Pioneers. “This IP is an iconic brand that has garnered global recognition and influence across generations. TMP is honored to expand the reach of this much-loved brand to more families and kids in Europe and North America.”
The Media Pioneers is a U.K.-China media group based in London. Founded in 2013, TMP distributes and co-produces kids’ content, films and drama series. TMP has theatrically released several Asian feature films in U.K. cinemas, including top Chinese animation IP Boonie Bears: Back to Earth. The company covers all rights worldwide for titles including animated preschool series Beadies, Jili & Gulu, Minitown, 6+ comedy series Boris and Rufus and period anime feature Kiangnan 1894. TMP also fills funding gaps on animation projects, including the award-winning Spanish/Belgium kids’ series Mironins.
