Thirty years after the original 2D-animated series aired, France’s TF1 Production, with French prodco Blue Spirit Animation and co-producers RTBF, Be.Films and Sinematik, is set to unveil the newly revamped second season of kids CGI adventure series The Mysterious Cities of Gold.

Currently in production at Blue Spirit Animation’s France-based studios in Paris and Angoulême, and at its Brussels studio in Belgium, the 26 x 26-minute series will bow in French on TF1 on April 7, 2013 and on Teletoon+ 12 months later. Sales have also been secured in Belgium (RTBF), Switzerland (RTS), Canada (Télé-Québec) and Portugal (Iusomundo).

Season two follows the continuing 16th century adventures of a trio of heroic children, Esteban, Zia and Tao, and their parrot Pichu, on a global quest to discover seven legendary golden cities.

With a team of new writers led by Hadrien Soulez Larivière, Eric Paul Marais and Didier Lejeune, the €7 million (US$9.1 million) production stayed true to the spirit and continuity of the original French (RTL)/Japanese (NHK) cult series by allowing its creators, Jean Chalopin and Bernard Deyriès, act as consultants.

In advance of the premiere, several licensing agreements for the IP have also been sewn up including a deal with Anime Virtual for an iOS game app expected in April and four publishing deals:

-Kaze (manga B&W in 2014, anime comics in September 2013)
-Pocket Jeunesse (several script adaptations in 2014 and 2015, English learning books)
-Glenat (comics in 2014 and 2015)
-Nathan (school books for young students in 2014)

Paris-based Newen Distribution handles international distribution for the property.

The news comes on the heels of TF1 partnering with Cyber Group Studios on the new 52 x 13-minute 2D HD series Mini Ninjas.