Build-A-Bear Entertainment, Foundation Media Partners, and Laughing Dragon Studios head to Kidscreen next month to present a first look at the ‘Build-A-Bear’ character-inspired animated series.
Build-A-Bear Entertainment, Foundation Media Partners, and Montreal-based animation studio Laughing Dragon Studios have announced Kabu, a new animated series inspired by classic Build-A-Bear characters, including Bearemy and Pawlette the Bunny. An exclusive first-look episode, the first of the 10-episode season, will screen for distributors at Kidscreen Summit, running February 4-7 in San Diego.
Mike Mariano (My Name is Earl, Raising Hope), Drew Gormley (Family Guy), Claire Ross Dunn (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Nina’s World), Brian Clark (Glisten and the Merry Mission) and Monica Kelly (Cocomelon) are the show’s writers. Build-A-Bear president and CEO Sharon Price John and Foundation Media CEO Patrick Hughes are executive producers.
Kabu primarily targets kids ages 7-11; however, the multi-level humor aims to appeal to a broader co-viewing audience, especially given the growing tween and teen Build-A-Bear fandom. The colorful, stylized animation features an ensemble cast of “stuffed animal” friends in a world of imagination where almost anything can happen.
The creative is influenced by the popularity of kawaii styling, leading to the Kabu name, which means “cub” in Japanese. According to the studios, the storylines humorously play on the unique “stuffed animal” aspect of the characters, with each episode using entertaining, sometimes “wacky” ways of exploring concepts ranging from creative problem solving to friendship, where the viewers join adventures with the cadre of critters who learn that working together and staying positive leads to the best result.
In addition to featuring Build-A-Bear characters, Kabu introduces new "furry friends” including Bearnice: Diamond White (Moon Girl, Boo!: A Madea Halloween, Boo!: A Madea Halloween 2); Bearnard: Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Solar Opposites, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous); Bearemy: Thomas Sanders (social media personality, actor); Catrina: Priah Ferguson (Stranger Things, The Curse Of Bridge Hollow, My Dad The Bounty Hunter, Bluff City Law, Atlanta); Monkgomery: Ryan Potter (Big Hero 6, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous); Pawlette: Brec Bassinger (StarGirl, VC Andrews's Dawn); Pandamona: Lilah Fitzgerald (Monster High, Lucky Hank, Honey Girls); Poodella: Margie Mays (American Idol, Call Me Kat); and Catlynn: Frankie McNellis (Honey Girls, 13: the Musical, Blackish).
"We are thrilled with this new animated series, which is designed to have some of the fun tone of SpongeBob with the spontaneity of Amazing World of Gumball to create a world of entertaining twists and surprises while still delivering a wholesome message," noted Hughes. "The multi-level smart humor, impressive cast and amazing perfect balance of writers create an amazing co-viewing experience.
“Could not be more excited about working with a storied brand like Build-A-Bear and collaborating with the amazing folks at Foundation,” added Laughing Dragon Studios CEO Ryan Sohmer. “The vibrant Kabu universe that we’re creating will delight both young and older audiences alike and can’t wait to introduce it to the world.”
Kabu is the first animated series in the Build-A-Bear IP expansion, working with Foundation Media Partners, in a multi-year strategic endeavor to drive the brand’s consumer engagement and business opportunities.
"As an organization grounded in over 25 years of creating memorable moments with ‘retail-tainment’ entertainment is a natural extension for the brand," said John. "The provision of new and fun ways to engage with fans and guests on multiple levels across the organization's eco-system is expected to be a value-enhancing proposition."
Source: Build-A-Bear Entertainment
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
