15th October 2005

Jetix European-Japanese Co-production Oban Star-Racers to launch at MIPCOM Junior

• Co-production between Jetix Europe and Sav! The World Productions, with additional co-production partners France 3, Super RTL, Bandai Visual and Hal Film Maker

• 26 x half-hour episode animated sci-fi epic for kids 7-12, to debut on Jetix Europe channels from Autumn 2006

• First time a Jetix Europe co-production has involved a Japanese partner, signalling a unique and artistic mix of Japanese anime with western sci-fi styling

• JCP (Jetix Consumer Products) to manage home video rights, licensing and merchandising rights

• The series forms part of the Jetix Europe programming portfolio, which is serviced by Buena Vista International Television


Amsterdam, The Netherlands and London, UK – Jetix Europe today announced the launch of Ōban Star-Racers, an animated sci-fi action series co-produced in close collaboration with French studio Sav! The World Productions. Additional co-production partners are France 3, Super RTL, Japan’s Bandai Visual and Japanese studio Hal Film Maker.

Ōban Star-Racers, designed to appeal to kids aged 7-12, will debut on Jetix Europe’s channels from Autumn 2006. The serialised story develops in epic style across 26 half-hour episodes. The series chronicles the Great Race of Ōban, an intergalactic racing competition that takes place every 10,000 years to determine the winner of a mysterious ultimate prize and the balance of powers within the Galaxy. The series’ central character, Molly, is a feisty, gifted teenager whose fate is inextricably intertwined with the race…

Devised and produced by Sav! The World Productions’ Savin Yeatman-Eiffel and his production team, the epic adventure series marks a significant project for Jetix Europe. Ōban Star-Racers represents the first time a Jetix Europe co-production has involved a Japanese partner. The unique co-production and artistic collaboration has created an explosive mix of Japanese anime and western sci-fi styling. Sav! The World’s directors, writer and designers have been resident in Japan for the whole production process combining Japanese 2D animation with the European 3D animation. The French artists have been working hand in hand with the production team at anime studio and partner Hal Film Maker for over two years.

The groundbreaking animation includes richly detailed landscapes and scenery, diverse alien species and amazing race vehicles. The gripping races are in high-quality 3D and give Ōban Star-Racers a visual impact rarely seen on TV. The show’s attention to detail is similar to that found only in feature films, a result of the six-year development process, and the features approach to steps such as conceptual design and full live orchestral scoring.

Jetix Europe holds all Pay TV rights for Europe and the Middle East, and has TV Distribution, home video, consumer product and online and interactive rights including mobile, for the world except France and Asia. JCP (Jetix Consumer Products) is managing the licensing rights to Ōban Star-Racers and will focus on maximising the potential of the property by licensing all product categories drawing on both the extensive range of characters and the fantastic racing vehicles.

Ōban Star-Racers will join Jetix Europe’s portfolio of programmes serviced by Buena Vista International Television.

Michael Lekes, Senior Vice President Programming, Jetix Europe, says:
“It is rare to encounter truly pioneering series in this business, especially one so self-evident before it has even been made. Rarer still is the kind of emotional impact the characters and artistry of Ōban Star-Racers have had on all those touched by it. We regard this as a true coming-of-age milestone for our Channels. Ōban embodies the Jetix values of fantasy, adventure and action and delivers via the sort of sophisticated storytelling which today's kids are seeking. It breaks the mould of traditional action series on every level, and we have high hopes that our audience will embrace the world of Ōban Star-Racers with the same delight which we have."

Savin Yeatman-Eiffel, Sav! The World Productions CEO and creator, writer and co-director of Ōban Star-Racers, says: “There have been very few co-productions with Japan over the past two decades, but this is probably the first time a full team of European artists has gone to Japan to work and collaborate with Japanese artists at this level. It was a great adventure all along and the result, I believe, will exceed expectations. It’s a revolutionary and epic adventure series served by top-notch 2D and 3D animation."

He continued: “The passion of the Japanese team of Hal Film Maker, and the constant support of Jetix Europe, were instrumental in allowing me to bring my original creative vision to life. I can't wait to see now how kids will react and I certainly hope they will love Ōban Star-Racers as much as we have loved creating it for them!”

Minoru Takanashi, Producer, Bandai Visual says:
"Before Ōban Star-Racers we had never worked with non Japanese artists. But we were seduced from the start by Sav! The World’s fresh work and by the extent of their determination. It was thrilling to see the series come together, and especially the way their French team managed to work and collaborate with Japanese animators and artists here in Tokyo."

Mel Alcock, Senior Vice President of Commercial Affairs, Jetix Europe comments:
“Ōban Star-Racers is a very strong addition to our Jetix licensing line-up. The fantastic worlds, extensive characters and breathtaking star-racers ensure a wide range of opportunities and we will maximise the potential of the property by licensing all product categories and digital rights. The first step will be to ensure the creation of an exceptional toy line that brings to life the spirit of the Ōban experience. “

Tom Toumazis, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, BVITV EMEA said: "We're sure Ōban Star-Racers will have great appeal globally, with its international influences, and its mix of imagination and action on a vast scale. We're looking forward to talking to international broadcasters here in Cannes about this much-anticipated property."