Life After Animax: A Look At Various International Predecessors To The Former DStv Channel

Animax is an international brand which specialises in Japanese animation (or in other terms anime) that is headed by several popular brands including Bandi Namco Networks, Toei Animation, TMS Entertainment, Nihon Ad Systems and Pierrot with Sony Pictures Entertainment handling the distribution.

It operated as a 24 hour service and also on demand spanning in over 89 million households in over 62 countries. As some readers are already aware, Animax hasn't received the best of luck internationally despite holding a concept that not many outlets would to this day.

Sure we have Crunchyroll and to some Netflix but through Animax we were introduced to Neon Genesis Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Record of Lodoss War, Eureka Seven, Samurai 7 and Black Jack.

Unfortunately that wasn't enough to retain the brand as sources point to low ratings as a result of its demise. So we look at placeholders that was added to fill the void left not only by the channel or streaming service but the owners as well.

India

In India, the channel was replaced by Sony YAY! which is headed by one of Sony's subsidiaries, Culver Max Entertainment in 2017. Animax's lineup ranged from audiences aged 15-25 years alongside Sony YAY!'s audience aged 6-14 years.

Sony YAY! offers regional content like Bhaalu Yeh Bindass Hai and Chimpoo Simpoo. Even foreign shows like Casper Scare School and Elinor Wonders Why. Before anyone gets disappointed anime forms part of the lineup as there's Naruto and Robotan.

Latin America

In Latin America, Animax was the market's first attempt at getting a 24 hour anime channel but seeing as that was a bust. It was eventually replaced by Sony Spin which was headed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Unlike the Indian counterpart, this was just their way of forgetting Animax.

Sony Spin was a general entertainment channel for live-action as it featured shows like 90210, Teen Wolf, Blood Ties, Amar Y Temer, Joan of Arcadia and That '70s Show. It ran from 2011-2014 before getting replaced by another random brand, Lifetime.

Lifetime is a general entertainment channel skewed toward female audiences aged 18-34. Supplied by A&E Networks featuring shows like Dance Moms, Storage Wars, Married At First Sight and Little Women. Even offers original films inbetween the programming.

North America

Also American is North America, unlike most of the brands on the list, Animax existed as a digital channel through Crackle but was subsequently discontinued although the provider continues supplying anime with no thanks to Animax.

Eastern Europe

Take note several regions fall under this list including Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Animax ran for almost 7 years within these regions but was replaced by AMC International's C8 by 2014.

C8 was a general entertainment channel which featured a range of content from movies, series, documentaries, lifestyle and kids shows. It lasted a year in Romania and 3 additional years in other regions.

United Kingdom

Almost similar to the North Americans, Animax existed as a digital service between 2013-2018 but was subsequently shut down with viewers being redirected to FUNimation.

FUNimation was an American based entertainment company that specialised in the dubbing and distribution of East Asian content ranging from anime to motion picture. The brand was juggling management one minute it was Navarre Corporation next it was Sony Pictures Entertainment until it folded by Crunchyroll in 2021.

Crunchyroll is a streaming service and takes on a expanded role of FUNimation as it not only distributes content but make originals even merch from those properties. Crunchyroll has both a film and television production company.

Portugal

In Portugal, Animax ran from 2007 to 2011 before getting subsequently replaced by AXN Black. Just like America and Eastern Europe, consumers were given another random brand.

Just like Animax, AXN Black was also headed by Sony Pictures Entertainment as a general entertainment channel which aired a variety of drama series such as Arrow, Prison Break, The Blacklist, Grey's Anatomy and Ghost Whisperer.

It wasn't long till the channel was replaced with movie channel, AXN Movies.

Africa

In 2007, Animax began broadcast within the region and was met with the highest of praises in South Africa that a celebration was hosted in its honour. Following a shift in programming which saw a decline in audiences, the channel was eventually replaced by Sony MAX in 2011.

Sony MAX was a general entertainment channel skewed toward males aged 18-34 years. Featuring a variety of live-action from Fear Factor, 1000 Ways To Die, Impractical Jokers and Baywatch with the exception being The Boondocks.

Before it's closure in 2019, Sony Pictures Entertainment crowded the channel's lineup with a lot of rebroadcasts before removing not only Sony Max but most of their international slate.

Conclusion

After analysing what I've found out about Animax, one thing for certain is the channel was never really a burden to anyone. If anything it could have performed at max capacity or at least for a brand that specialises in anime.

If anything the problem just dealt with time, in the era of Animax there wasn't a lot of alternatives I mean in South Africa. The only other option was SABC 2's 30 minute timeslot which if you look at it offered limited content or at least to what matched Animax.

The demise of Animax particularly in Africa was likely accessibility as this was a premium channel and at the time the bouquet was affordable on a mid tier level. Another could be the target group as the viewership in the rest of Africa was smaller than South Africa.

This is a concept I presume a lot of consumers would love to see more of on cable. I mean Cartoon Network and SABC 2 acquired rights to Dragonball: Super which became the top shows during its run and same goes with Naruto and Bleach on SABC 2.

Roundups #67: Squid Game Spinoff Coming To Netflix Amidst Season 2 Renewal, Batman Is Coming To Latin America For Animated Feature And Upcoming Knives Out Sequel Gets A Weird Title

Squid Game is getting a reality show

Squid Game is being translated from television serial to live action, according to reports issued on Netflix. Squid Game: The Challenge will be played by 456 players, competing and racing to grab 45.6 billion Korean Won. In a written statement, the players will “compete through a series of games inspired by the original show,” along with “surprising new additions”.

“Squid Game took the world by storm with Director Hwang’s captivating story and iconic imagery. We’re grateful for his support as we turn the fictional world into reality in this massive competition and social experiment,” explains Brandon Riegg, Netflix VP of Unscripted and Documentary Series. “Fans of the drama series are in for a fascinating and unpredictable journey as our 456 real world contestants navigate the biggest competition series ever, full of tension and twists, with the biggest ever cash prize at the end.”

Squid Game: The Challenge is going to be shot in the United Kingdom, and proves to be a co-venture between Studio Lambert (The Circle) and The Garden (24 Hours in A&E).

Batman Azteca is coming soon

HBO Max Latin America will be taking the Dark Knight to Aztec Mexico in a new project titled Batman Azteca: Choque de Imperios ("Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires"), Variety reports.

The original, Spanish-language animated film will place the World's Greatest Detective in Aztec Mexico and center viewers in the arcane culture of Mesoamerica. Borrowing beats from Batman's origin story, the film will follow a young Aztec boy, Yohualli Coatl, as he trains with his mentor Acatzin — developing equipment and weaponry in the temple of Tzinacan, the bat god.

But unlike other Batman stories, like Batman: Three Jokers, or Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, which saw Bruce Wayne choosing not to exact revenge against his parent's killer, this project will seem to center on Yohualli going after the Spanish Conquistadors who murdered his father, the village leader Toltecatzin.

The mystery has just begun

The next Knives Out movie will hit Netflix this holiday season. On Monday, Rian Johnson announced the name of the new Benoit Blanc mystery: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

In a thread, Johnson described how much he wanted to emulate Agatha Christie and have each of Benoit Blanc’s mysteries take on a new tone (and also a new title). The detective, as played by Daniel Craig with an ambiguous and indecipherable Southern accent, will return, but the overall vibe will be different — it’s an homage to Christie’s masterful exploration of the genre, Johnson said.

“I think there’s a misperception that her books use the same formula over and over, but fans know the opposite is true,” he describes. He goes on to list some of the genres that Christie explored in her murder mysteries and what he aims to do with subsequent Benoit Blanc mysteries.

The first Knives Out movie, which premiered in 2019, followed the wealthy and dysfunctional Thrombey family after patriarch Harlan is found dead. In the new movie, Benoit Blanc will find himself embroiled in a new mystery — with a totally new cast, characters, locations, and mystery.

Roundups #66: One Piece Reportedly Cancelled After 25 Years, Ghostbusters Animated Film Is In Development And High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Returning For A Fourth Season

The final instalment of One Piece is coming soon

Eiichiro Oda's magnum opus, One Piece has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump since 1997. One Piece follows the story of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who lives during the time of the Great Pirate Era ushered by the Pirate King himself. With the aim of attaining wealth, fame, power, and most importantly, the One Piece, Luffy sets out to sea on a grand adventure the likes of which have never been seen before.

Since 1997, Oda has been consistently drawing Luffy's journey towards becoming the King of the Pirates but even after almost 25 years, the story isn't finished. Luffy's journey continues and, by the looks of it, will continue for the foreseeable future. Yet, the author of One Piece has repeatedly made it known that One Piece is nearing its end and will end within the next few years.

Originally, Eiichiro Oda's One Piece was supposed to end around 2002 and according to the author himself, the story was to last for just five years. Luffy's journey, which is so massive, was originally going to be about the fight against the pirates called the Yonko. However, Oda then introduced the idea of the Shichibukai. According to him, this is a massive part of why One Piece ended up becoming as long as it did. The Shichibukai added a lot of depth to the story and made Oda expand the various themes of the story further. In 2019, Oda mentioned that he will end One Piece in the next five years. In 2020, Oda reaffirmed his plans to end One Piece within five years. But once again, this is likely not going to happen.

 

A new Ghostbusters film is in development

The studio teased in a CimenaCon sizzle reel in April that a fifth live-action film in the franchise was in the works, following the original, 1989’s Ghostbusters II, the female-led 2016 Ghostbusters reboot and last year’s Reitman-directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Sony today confirmed what the end credits of the 2021 pic — which grossed $197.4 million worldwide — had hinted at: The next sequel will return to the original scene of the slime: New York City and the firehouse.

The 1984 Ghostbusters was helmed by Reitman’s father, Ivan Reitman, and starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, along with Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis and Annie Potts. It became a sensation, spawning a title song by Ray Parker Jr. that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.

The stream-crossing gang and filmmaker reunited five years later for Ghostbusters II, and Paul Feig directed the 2016 pic that starred Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. Ghostbusters: Afterlife was headlined by Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace. Several of the original stars also showed up.

 

More High School Musical on Disney+

Ahead of its Season 3 premiere, Disney+ has ordered a fourth season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. The eight-episode third season will premiere on July 27, with each episode streaming weekly on Wednesdays, exclusively on Disney+.

Created and executive-produced by Tim Federle (Ferdinand, Better Nate Than Ever), Season 3 is set at Camp Shallow Lake, a sleepaway camp in California, as the Wildcats and their fellow campers are primed for an unforgettable summer ripe with romance, curfew-less nights and a taste of the great outdoors. With a high-stakes production of Frozen on the horizon and a drama-filled “docu-series” of the production in the works, the Wildcats will attempt to show who is “best in snow” without leaving anyone out in the cold.

It stars Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Saylor Bell Curda and Adrian Lyles. They’ll be joined in Season 3 by recurring cast members Aria Brooks, Liamani Segura and Ben Stillwell and guest stars Corbin Bleu, Meg Donnelly, Jason Earles, Kate Reinders, Olivia Rose Keegan, Olivia Rodrigo, Larry Saperstein and Joe Serafini.

Roundups #23: More Sonic The Hedgehog Projects Are Currently Underway + Classic APK Game (FIXED LINK)

For the past 28 years, the blue hedgehog has been entertaining audiences across the globe with a range of video games, TV series and not long ago feature films which are dominating the cinema screens. He's journey doesn't stop there as there's more projects underway.

1. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 - April 2022 (US)
After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is ready for more freedom, and Tom and Maddie agree to leave him home while they go on vacation. But, no sooner are they gone, when Dr. Robotnik comes back, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to both build and destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

2. Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Just months before Sonic the Hedgehog 2 comes to theaters to continue the live-action series, Paramount announced this week its plans to release a third Sonic the Hedgehog film. The announcement was made during an investor event. Details about the film haven't been released as viewers haven't gotten to the second film yet.

3. Knuckles Prequel
Just like Sonic The Hedgehog 3, there's no details on the upcoming TV show except for the fact that Idris Elba will be reprising his role for the character in this Paramount+ series. The series will likely be based on the feature films of the blue hedgehog.

Also read:
- A list of animated series launching in 2022
- National Geographic Kids launching in Africa later in 2022
- Galactic Kids Next Door (GKND) might be in the works
- Could this fan made logo be Cartoon Network's future logo?
- DreamWorks Channel will be added to MultiChoice's DStv
- Overlord And The Underwoods launches on Nickelodeon plus more content for the channel alongside Nicktoons
- Paramount+ kids kids slate with Nickelodeon
- Cartoonito expected to return to EMEA by mid 2022
- Disney Channel and Junior welcomes back returning shows during the school holidays
- Dive into the Big Blue with Cartoon Network Africa

4. Sonic Frontiers (2022)
The video game that utilizes 3D platforming and action-adventure themes. The game features an open-world level design (or "open-zone" as Sega describes it), which is a first for the Sonic series. The player takes control of Sonic the Hedgehog and must use his signature speed and abilities to explore the lush and expansive biomes of the Starfall Islands.

5. Sonic Prime (TV Series, 2022)
The 24-episode series from Sega, Wild Brain and Man of Action, is due to hit Netflix later this year. Just like Sonic 3 and Knuckles prequel, no further details haven't been revealed.

6. Sonic Origins Collection (2022)
Sega will release a new collection of classic Sonic the Hedgehog games under the name Sonic Origins. The compilation will include the original Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Genesis, as well as sequels Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD.

7. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - APK Download

Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: SEGA

Dr. Robotnik’s Death Egg has crash-landed on Floating Island, so called because it harnesses the power of the Chaos Emeralds to float in the air. Robotnik needs them to repair the Death Egg, so he tells the guardian of Floating Island, Knuckles the Echidna, that Sonic and Tails are there to steal them. With Knuckles tricked and trying to stop the heroes at every turn, will they be able to stop Robotnik in time?

Download link: click here (fixed)

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Insidus Content Roundups #4: [MUST WATCH] The Flying Luna Clipper, PBS Kids Announces New Series Work It Out Wombat And WarnerMedia Greenlit Jessica's Big Little World And More Craig Of The Creek

Recommendation: The Flying Luna Clipper

The story revolves around thrill seekers hoping onto a plane and going on random adventures on random islands. It's got incredible graphics and a unique outlook on the world.

The film was produced with MSX a gadget which came out in 1983. The creator Ikko Ono often gives life to inanimate objects or things that shouldn't be talking in most of his work.

The Flying Luna Clipper was actually a collection of short movie clips that was made with an MSX micro computer. The movie was made for a series entitled A Gross Leader. The idea of that theatre came from concepts used to screen his media including virtual and open theatres and the place Tahiti.

The movie is a must watch if you're more focused on the visuals as opposed to the storyline.

Also read:
- Baby TV could be on the chopping block
- 2022 on HBO Max including Peacemaker and a Batman Christmas special
- Disney+ greenlit several African animation
- African Animation Network partners up with Baboon Animation
- 2022 on Paramount+ includes new season of iCarly, Star Trek: Lower Decks and Why Women Kill
- Upcoming programming for Cartoonito in Europe, Middle East and Africa
- National Geographic Kids Africa launches in 2022

PBS Kids Greenlits Work It Out Wombats!

PBS KIDS has greenlit Work it Out Wombats!, a new 2D-animated preschool series from GBH Kids (Molly of Denali ) and Pipeline Studios (Alma’s Way) that’s set to premiere in early 2023.

Set in a fantastical animal world, the series stars a trio of spirited and creative marsupials (pictured) who share a treehouse apartment with their grandmother. Stories highlight concepts from computer science, such as sequencing and debugging, to show preschoolers how computational thinking can help them solve problems, express themselves and perform tasks.

‘Craig of the Creek’ Gets Season 5 Renewal and Spin-Off Greenlights

WarnerMedia Kids & Family announced two new project greenlights and a series renewal that will expand the storytelling universe of the multi award-nominated, Craig of the Creek. The series has been picked up for Season 5 with spinoffs to include a preschool series, Jessica’s Big Little World, and an original animated movie, Craig of the Creek: The Movie.

“In Craig of the Creek, Matt Burnett, Ben Levin, Tiffany Ford, and the entire crew created a charming, imaginative, and inclusive world that represents the best in kids’ animation,” commented Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. president Sam Register. “We could not ask for a better foundation as we expand the stories of the Creek into preschool and long-form projects ensuring that Craig of the Creek is well on its way to becoming our studio’s next big kids’ franchise.”

“Since its debut, Craig of the Creek has been an instant audience favorite, capturing the joy of being a kid along with the humor and heart of family life,” added Amy Friedman, Warner Bros. head of kids & family programming. “We are so thrilled with how Cartoon Network Studios has opened up Craig’s world and that his hilarious little sister Jessica, a breakout character, will now have her own show!”

Also read:
- Kevin 11 series waiting to be get picked up by Cartoon Network and HBO Max
- Why the outdated music brand VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- Could fan made Cartoon Network logo be the future logo for the channel?
- Rio 3 and Ice Age 7 are currently in development for Disney+
- 2022 on Disney+ ahead of launch in South Africa
- Boomerang reportedly closing down across Europe, Middle East and Africa
- Could Galactic: KND be in the works for Cartoon Network and HBO Max?

In Jessica’s Big Little World , no task is too big, even when you’re little! Set to debut in 2023, this preschool spinoff centers on the Creek’s favorite resilient little sister, Jessica, as she navigates her way through a world where everything seems much bigger than she is. Although she’s the youngest and still needs help with a lot, Jessica is inspired by the grown-ups and bigger kids around her and is persistent in her quest to conquer monumental kid tasks like creating a bedtime routine or saying hi to a new classmate. With the help of her friends, imaginary and real, Jessica sets off to take on the world, even if she still does suck her thumb…sometimes.

Following Cartoonito’s framework of Humancentric Learning,
Jessica’s Big Little World aims to mirror important moments and milestones in children’s lives to help them recognize and appreciate that difficult experiences and feelings are universal. The preschool series will weave themes of communication, imaginative play, perseverance, and embracing age-appropriate strategies for overcoming obstacles throughout.

Craig of the Creek: The Movie is an origin story of the Creek’s bravest explorer that could only be told through the scope of a movie. Craig Williams is the shy, new kid in town, longing for his old home and life. Little does he know, he’ll soon set off on the biggest adventure he could ever dream of. Treasure maps, pirate ships, and a villain who wants to destroy the Creek are just the beginning in this treasure hunting epic! Craig of the Creek: The Movie is expected to premiere in 2023.

Also read:
- Animated series coming to Cartoon Network, Netflix and a variety of other platforms in 2022
- New Bleach anime launches in October
- Totally Spies! revival is in development
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- A new Winnie The Pooh animated series is coming to Disney+
- Henry Danger movie is in development

Season 5 of Craig of the Creek follows the precocious Craig and his best friends Kelsey and J.P., as they transform everyday afternoons into extraordinary adventures through imaginative play at the neighborhood creek. The new episodes will delve deeper into the endless world of the Creek as Craig embarks on more journeys with friends new and old, finding adventure, mystery, and fun around every bend. Season 5 is slated for release early next year.

Craig of the Creek, Craig of the Creek: The Movie , and Jessica’s Big Little World are executive produced and co-created by Emmy-nominated Steven Universe writers Matt Burnett and Ben Levin. Jessica’s Big Little World is executive produced and co-created by former Craig of the Creek supervising director, Tiffany Ford.

“Seeing how viewers automatically fell in love with Jessica, the littlest member of the Williams family, and her big belief that she can do what everyone else does, developing Jessica’s Big Little World was a natural next step in the Craig universe,” shared Burnett and Levin. “Tiffany has been part of the Craig of the Creek family since the beginning and there isn’t a better voice to bring our pint-sized heroine’s journey to preschoolers.”

“I’m very much looking forward to the stories we’re going to tell on Jessica’s Big Little World,” added Ford. “We hope to bring forth relatable adventures that kids and parents can both connect to. I personally feel close to Jessica— she reminds me of people in my family, experiences that I’ve had, and friends that I’ve known. As we continue to develop this very special show, Jessica’s journey to becoming a big kid has also inspired me to find a more kind and compassionate approach to the even smallest moments in life.”

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