Ánima is an animation studio based in Mexico City, Mexico founded in 2002, with its first film Magos y gigantes released in November 2003.
It is the leading studio in Latin America and a recognized company in the global animation industry, specializing in 2D and CG productions. Best known for El Chavo, Top Cat, and Legend Quest, Ánima has produced entertainment brands and original projects for family and adult audiences.
History
2003–2009
On 19 November 2003, Ánima released its first film, Magos y Gigantes. This 2D family film, which tells the story of three misfit fairytale friends on a journey to compete in a renowned tournament of magic, is the first Mexican-animated feature produced in over 30 years. The movie was distributed by 20th Century Fox.
On 19 August 2005, the studio releases its second film: Imaginum. This sci-fi comedy film is later distributed globally by Porchlight Entertainment and sells in over 90 countries.
On 14 December 2005, Ánima Estudios enters a partnership with Estación Espacial to produce Poncho Balón. This mini-series about the adventures of a crazy football runs on Canal 5 in Mexico and Cartoon Network Latin America.
On 21 October 2006, Ánima Estudios produces its first full-length TV series, El Chavo Animado. Based on the live-action series El Chavo del Ocho created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños. The series premieres in Mexico on Canal 5. The series later premiered in the U.S. on Univision to highly successful ratings. To-date, El Chavo has garnered the highest ratings for an animated series in all of Latin America.
On 13 February 2009, the studio released its third film: El Agente 00-P2, a parody of the James Bond movie franchise.
On 10 November 2009, the company released the sci-fi holiday special A Martian Christmas direct-to-video as a co-venture with Porchlight Entertainment.
2010–2015
On 22 January 2010, the studio releases its fifth animated film, AAA – Sin Límite en el Tiempo, a fictional take on the popular Mexican lucha libre professional wrestling league, AAA.
On 8 May 2010, Jose C. Garcia de Letona becomes the founder and president of ASIFA Mexico as well as an ASIFA International's board member.
On 11 May 2010, Ánima releases Kung Fu Magoo, a comedy-adventure film based on the cartoon character Mr. Magoo. It is produced in partnership with DreamWorks Classics (Classic Media) and marks the first time a Latin American animation production is sold to the U.S. market, as the film premiered on Disney XD on February 7, 2011, featuring the voices of Chris Parnell, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Alyson Stoner, and Kenny Mayne as himself. The film is distributed worldwide in 65 territories.
On 10 September 2010, along with co-producers Illusion Studios (Argentina) releases the CG animated film, Gaturro, in Argentina. Based on the Argentinian comic book series of the same name, Gaturro is later released on April 27, 2012, in Mexico, distributed by Santo Domingo Films. On February 16, 2016, the film is released in the U.S., straight-to-DVD, by Viva Pictures.
On 16 September 2011, the studio releases Top Cat: The Movie, (a.k.a. Don Gato y su Pandilla) in Mexico, through Warner Bros. Pictures. Based on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon of the same name, the film was a huge box office hit in Mexico and one of the most successful releases ever for a Mexican production. On August 2, 2013, Top Cat: The Movie received a limited theatrical release in the U.S. through Viva Pictures, featuring the voice talents of Rob Schneider and Danny Trejo as Lou Strickland and Griswald, respectively. To-date, Top Cat: The Movie is one of the "Top 20" highest-grossing independent animated movies worldwide.
On 21 October 2011, the studio released the horror-comedy film, La Leyenda de la Llorona, which is a sequel to Animex's La Leyenda de la Nahuala. The movie was among the top 5 most successful movies of the year in Mexico.
In 2012, the company celebrated its 10th anniversary.
On 30 November 2012, the studio releases El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza under its adult animated label Átomo Films. This adaption of the Mexican comic book series created by José Ignacio Solórzano (Jis) and José Trinidad Camacho (Trino), it stars an ensemble voice cast of well-known Mexican actors such as Daniel Giménez Cacho, José María Yazpik, Héctor Jiménez, and veteran filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. In 2013 El Santos becomes the first Mexican animated feature to premiere at the renowned Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
On 31 December 2012, Ánima Estudios premiered its original TV show, Teenage Fairytale Dropouts on Seven Network in Australia.Twitter image of Teenage Fairytale Dropouts (see the description; in Spanish) This 52x11 comedy is an international co-venture between Ánima, SLR Productions (Australia), Home Plate Entertainment (America) and Telegael (Ireland). The show, which is loosely based on the studio's first film, "Magos y Gigantes", premieres in the U.S. on the Hub Network, marking the first time a Latin American animated series is acquired by a major U.S. network. The series airs in some 35 countries including on Spain (TVE) and HBO Asia. Later on October 16, 2017, the series is acquired by Bejuba! Entertainment for new distribution rights and is renamed Awesome Magical Tales.
On 5 February 2013, through a partnership with Spain's Vodka Capital and Televisa Home Entertainment, Ánima Estudios releases a multi-platform, 13-episode, TV series titled Bugsted. The franchise, which tells the story of an ordinary bug who is accidentally taken to the moon with the Apollo 11 mission, consists of a series of collectible action figures, a game app developed for the iOS and Android systems and a TV miniseries aimed for children 8–11.
On 17 October 2013, Latin Idea Ventures announces it will invest an undisclosed amount into Ánima to assist with the studio's expansion plans.
On 22 April 2014, Ánima Estudios launches a European division based in Madrid, Spain, named Ánima Kitchent.
On 22 May 2014, Televisa Interactive Media publishes and releases KickOs, a new soccer-themed game app developed by Ánima for the Android and iOS systems. The app was available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play.
On 17 September 2014, Variety reported that an animated follow-up to Top Cat: The Movie, titled Top Cat Begins, has been announced for release on 7 August 2015, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Additionally, it is also announced that the studio is currently in production with a feature film adaptation of DePatie-Freleng's Here Comes the Grump.
On 30 October 2014, the studio releases La Leyenda de las Momias de Guanajuato. It becomes the first Mexican film ever to be produced in the motion-enhanced 4DX format. It was a box-office success, grossing over $90 million pesos.
On 18 February 2015, European subsidiary Ánima Kitchent, announces a partnership with the Spain-based Famosa to adapt its PinyPon brand into an animated television series.
On 10 April 2015, Ánima releases its first CG-animated feature, Wicked Flying Monkeys. This original adaptation of The Wizard of Oz book series, debuts in third place at the box office. It is produced with India's Discreet Arts. Most notably, the film is designed, written and executive produced by Jorge Gutierrez of The Book of Life fame.Ánima Estudios debuta en mercado anglo El nuevo Herald Wicked Flying Monkeys is simultaneously released in Russia, making it the first Latin American movie to receive a wide commercial release in the country. At the 2015 2015 Cannes Film Festival, the film is sold for distribution to such countries as the U.K., Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Wicked Flying Monkeys launches in the U.S. on January 24, 2017, as Guardians of Oz.CLIP: "Guardians of Oz" Coming to Blu-ray/DVD on January 24, 2017 ToonZone News. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
On 15 April 2015, the studio's third animated television series, El Chapulín Colorado, premieres on the digital platform Veo. Shortly after, the series is released on Televisa's free-to-air networks in Mexico and throughout all of Latin America.
On 30 October 2015, the studio releases Top Cat Begins in Mexico through Warner Bros.Pictures. A CG-animated follow-up to Top Cat: The Movie debuted third place in the Mexican box office. To-date the movie has been released in the U.K., Colombia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Portugal, Israel, Hong Kong, India, Australia and New Zealand, among many others.
On 24 August 2015, the studio releases the music video Vamos a la Cama, starring La Familia Telerín in Mexico during primetime on Channel 2. The uber-popular vid is broadcast daily during the same timeslot for the following 10 months. Produced in English, the reboot series will consist up to 52 7-minute episodes.
2016
On 18 February 2016, Frederator Networks and Ánima launch a YouTube channel called Átomo Network. The channel features original programming produced by Ánima, original programming from Latin America, as well as Spanish-dubbed versions of Channel Frederator shows like "107 Facts." "Átomo Network opens up a new global outlet for audiences and creators alike. We aim to give Spanish-speaking audiences all over the world an entertainment destination specifically tailored to them," said José C. García de Letona, COO & Executive Vice President Ánima.
On 15 April 2016, in order to assist in the growth of the professional animation industry in Latin America, Ánima announces a partnership with California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS). The partnership demonstrates Anima's commitment for the growth of the animation industry in Latin America. "It is an honor and a privilege to start this relationship with CalArts," said COO Jose C. Garcia de Letona. "We are positive [that] it will have a long term impact in the quality of our productions, the animation industry in Latin America, and in the professional lives of our staff."
On 26 May 2016, Ánima and Cartoon Network (Latin America) announce that they will jointly produce an animation contest for young creators to pitch their own animated content developed for children ages 6 to 11. The Seventh Knight, created by Andrés Eduardo Luna Rivera and Sebastián Felipe Luna Rivera from Colombia, and WTQ: What the Quest is This? created by Ernesto Molina from Mexico, tie for first prize. "We aim to grow the industry not only in Mexico but in Latin America as well. There's a lot of amazing creators in the region who have wonderful projects that should be supported and promoted", commented Anima COO Jose C. Garcia de Letona. "We are very happy with the response we got to this contest," said Hernan La Greca, senior creative director for Cartoon Network Latin America and its subsidiaries. "We are thrilled to support animation in Latin America through initiatives that promote the development of new talent and provide exposure to new ideas and productions." Ánima COO José C. García Letona also added that the company's response to the contest "has surpassed our expectations, not only for the number of projects that were submitted, but also for their quality. We are excited to confirm that there's a huge amount of talent in Latin America committed to creating animated content."
On 12 September 2016, the studio's European division, Ánima Kitchent, launches PINY: Institute of New York on Disney Channel, Spain. Based on the toy brand of the same name, this 52x11 comedy features Michelle Fairchild, a student at the college who wants to become a top fashion designer. The series is produced with Televisa and Russian broadcasters Karusel TV and Ani.