The multiple Emmy Award-winning interactive animation studio teams up with 9 Story Media Group to co-produce and launch a kids’ series based on its hugely popular game-based IP; the franchise features a magical universe with contrasting creatures who use the magical power of ‘Momoguro.’
Multiple Emmy Award-winning interactive animation studio Baobab Studios has teamed up with global kids’ and family content leader 9 Story Media Group to co-produce and launch a new television series for Baobab Studios’ Momoguro game-based property. The partnership will leverage both companies’ award-winning creative, development, and production experience, along with 9 Story’s distribution, financing, and merchandising business.
According to Baobab, the Momoguro Roblox game has garnered over 21 million visits and an 87% positivity score and attracted demand for a television series for children 6–12 years old.
Baobab Studios created the Momoguro franchise in collaboration with creators Martin Allais and Nico Casavecchia, with the studio developing it for television and games. Baobab also launched the Momoguro digital collectibles game, the first of its kind nominated for an Emmy Award. The franchise’s universe features contrasting creatures who use the magical power of Momoguro to fuse together, forming powerful beings greater than the sum of their parts—but only if they can work together.
“We’re delighted that Momoguro's characters and universal theme of ‘stronger together’ have resonated with global audiences and gained such popularity with the family audience on Roblox,” said Baobab Studios CEO and co-founder Maureen Fan. “Our fans have told us it evokes the childhood nostalgia of Pokémon meeting Voltron. We feel there is no better partner to grow this universe independently than with 9 Story, known worldwide for scaling hit children’s programs through licensing and distribution across every major TV market.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the talented team at Baobab to bring Momoguro to new audiences as our first Roblox to TV IP,” said 9 Story president and CEO Vince Commisso. “Momoguro is a fresh take on the hero genre, set in a rich world where two kids, born on opposing sides of an age-old feud, find a deep connection through self-expression. Just like the game, our heroes find themselves at the heart of a societal transformation that will put the power in the hands of kids.”
This announcement builds on Baobab’s track record of creating original IP for cutting-edge platforms and expanding franchises across media. The company recently announced two Disney+ series: The Witchverse, a fantasy action-adventure universe based on the three-time Emmy-winning interactive VR experience and short film Baba Yaga, and Intercats, a cat workplace comedy based on the studio’s graphic novel series with First Second Books / Macmillan.
9 Story Media is a global leader in children’s media, including development, production, distribution, and brand management. The company recently announced a multi-project development, production co-financing, and licensing deal with Crayola Studios. The company notes it was recently ranked Top Ten on the Kidscreen Hot50 across distribution, licensing, production, and digital media, including #1 in the distribution category. Recent and upcoming series include Open Season: Call of Nature (Discovery Latam, Wildbrain Canada), Dee & Friends in Oz (Netflix), Lu & The Bally Bunch (Warner Bros. Discovery US, Latam and EMEA, CBC Kids), and A Kind of Spark Season 2 (BBC, CBC Kids and BYUtv).
Source: Baobab Studios
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
