By Gavin Boyle
In collaboration with Ellipse Animation, Nickelodeon has become the international distributor for a new MARSUPILAMIS cartoon which sees the iconic characters take on the city.
“🎉 Houba! We’re thrilled to announce that NICKELODEON will be the international broadcaster of THE MARSUPILAMIS, our 3D series produced with Belvision. Collaborating with the top-tier Paramount team is a true delight, enhancing the global reach of our beloved character,” Ellipse Animation announced on Instagram. “💛 Created over 70 years ago, by the renowned Belgian author André Franquin, the Marsuplimai has become one of the most iconic characters in comic book and pop culture histories. 🌴 In this new animated series, the legendary Marsupilamis swap the wild Palombian jungle for an even wilder place: the city!”
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The Marsupilamis were created in 1952 and steadily gained popularity as a comic through the ’70s and ’80s. The series has since been adapted for TV and movies multiple times, including a popular animated show at Disney in the mid ’90s. This new series will continue the storied franchise as it brings the characters into a modern environment.
“When three Marsupilamis barge into twins Jade and Mica’s lives, everything changes forever! Hope, Twister and Punch are three adorable fur balls with amazing abilities, super-long tails…and bursting personalities. Yet one thing is for sure: they must remain hidden! Despite their different characters, Jade and Mica team up to protect their friends from the dangers of the city. Embark for exciting adventures with the funniest – and fluffiest – friends you can wish for!” a description of the show reads.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Ellipse and to introduce THE MARSUPILMAIS to our Nickelodeon audiences,” said Layla Lewis, senior VP of global acquisitions and content partnerships at Nickelodeon. “This fresh take on a beloved character brings a vibrant mix of humor, heart, and adventure that makes it an excellent addition to our slate.”
Nickelodeon’s acquisition of the show comes as the brand looks to improve its reach among child audiences having lost a significant portion of its popularity with the arrival of YouTube and Netflix on the scene. Last year, Nickelodeon’s standalone streaming service Noggin was shut down and its content was rolled into Paramount+ as the network struggles to maintain relevance with its target audience.
Despite being home to some of the most iconic brands in kids entertainment history, such as SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS and AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER, newer IP have proven to have a much larger pull with the youngest generation. Shows like COCOMELON and BLUEY are many times more popular than the legacy IP, leading to the demise of these established brands. Nonetheless, it is clear that Nickelodeon will not go down without a fight as it works to attract a larger share of the audience through new shows. THE MARSUPILAMIS will air internationally starting next year.
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