Legendary luchador Último Dragón and noted artist ‘Urban Aztec’ Jesse Hernandez join Masked Republic and Demente Animation Studio’s new 2D/3D animated series as executive producer and producer.
The development alliance formed in early 2021 between multi-platform lucha libre entertainment company Masked Republic and Demente Animation Studio (The Night of the Animated Dead, Rick and Morty, Hello Kitty and Friends), one of Mexico’s leading animation companies, has officially announced its first series: Legend of Luchasatsu.
The show combines elements of both Mexican lucha libre and Japanese tokusatsu - live-action film or television drama that makes heavy use of practical special effects (Super Sentai/Power Rangers, Ultraman, Kamen Rider) - mixing 2D and 3D animation influenced by both countries.
In Legend of Luchasatsu, after a trio of Mexican kids discover an ancient artifact from mysterious pre-Colombian beings with technology well beyond this Earth, they must unlock its secrets before an evil Spanish billionaire can twist its power to conquer México…and then the world!
The greatest Japanese luchador of all time, Último Dragón, will serve as one of the series’ executive producers. “It is an honor to be able to work with Masked Republic and Demente Animation on such an inspiring project,” Dragón said. “All of my career I have worked hard to blend pieces of Japanese and Mexican culture inside the ring and in the performances of the students I have trained. To be able to do the same in another medium and to be able to pay homage to both lucha libre and tokusatsu at the same time, it is wonderful. I hope that together we can open the eyes of children and families across the world to some of the beauty and unique cultural aspects of my two home countries.”
“Urban Aztec” Jesse Hernandez is joining the series as a producer and will be blending Mexican and Japanese art styles to design the ancient mechas central to the series’ plot. A visual artist born and raised in the San Francisco bay area, Hernandez, is most widely recognized for his street art murals, vinyl toys, and diverse Illustration work. His artwork has been featured by Marvel, Star Wars, Warner Bros, DC Comics, WWE and every major Bay Area sports team along with dozens of music and corporate clients.
“Much respect to Demente, Masked Republic and Último Dragón!” Hernandez said. “It’s been an honor collaborating with this super talented team. I’m very excited for this project to drop.”
Demente Animation CEO Carlos Gaxiola said, “I was always a fan of lucha libre from the stars of the 1950s-1970s like El Santo and Mil Mascaras, to 1990s superstars like Konnan, Vampiro Canadiense, and Último Dragón. For us, it is a dream come true to be part of an animated series with one of our great idols, Masked Republic and Urban Aztec. This is going to be awesome!”
“We knew we had an exceptional series in development with Demente and adding Último Dragón Dragon and Urban Aztec to the team assures that we are going to bring the world a series that is both wildly unique and genuinely authentic at the same time,” Masked Republic COO and Executive Producer Kevin Kleinrock said. “The animation we have seen from Demente thus far, rich with signature Urban Aztec elements, give the series a look and feel like no other and Último’s contributions to the story world and tone will help the series resonate globally.”
Demente Animation Studio, currently finishing its first 2D animated feature film, is one of Mexico’ fastest growing animation studios. Their recent work includes 2D and 3D projects for Wildbrain, Mattel, Warner Bros, Bardel, Bento Box, Titmouse, and others.
Masked Republic is the first integrated live event, merchandising and media organization uniquely centered in the emerging growth market of lucha libre and dedicated to expanding the sport, deemed an integral part of Mexican culture, beyond the borders of Mexico.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
