- PBS KIDS has commissioned a new 2D-animated series for preschoolers called Phoebe & Jay (pictured, 40 x 30 minutes) that’s set to premiere this fall. Featuring two fraternal twins who learn about the world around them through signs and words, using a flyer to help find a neighbor’s lost pet, for example, or learning to read clothing labels to find the right size of shirt. Mainframe Studios and Phoebe & Jay Productions—founded by the show’s co-creators Geenie Deez and Thy Than—are behind this project.
- Nelvana has sold its CG-animated series Millie Magnificent (52 x 11 minutes) to ABC Australia, DR in Denmark and Canada’s Télé-Québec. Millie is an eager problem-solver who builds new gadgets to solve people’s problems—learning through trial and error to make things that are actually helpful. Targeting preschoolers, the series is inspired by Ashley Spires’ Most Magnificent books (published by Corus-owned Kids Can Press) and Nelvana’s short film The Most Magnificent Thing (2019).
- LEGO is getting into anime for the first time, signing a partnership with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios to make building sets based on their tween/YA live-action series One Piece. Sets and minifigures of select show characters will launch sometime this year. Inspired by a popular manga series, Netflix’s One Piece racked up 71.6 million views in its first four months on the platform.
- Mattel and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products have teamed up to launch a crossover line of three Masters of the Universe x ThunderCats action figures that will launch in June. In one SKU, for example, Skeletor can transform into Mumm-Ra from ThunderCats by swapping out his head, cape and armor.
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