‘Martin Mystery’ Gets First-Ever 3D Series with Powerkids & Bonneli

Powerkids Entertainment Ltd. (Singapore) and Boneli Entertainment (Italy), the production arm of publisher Sergio Bonneli Editore S.p.A., have joined forces to crack the first-ever 3D CG-animated series based on the popular children’s character Martin Mystère, a.k.a. Martin Mystery. The comics introduced by SBE in 1982 follows the titular hero, an adventurous Renaissance man who applies his broad knowledge of history and antiquities to unravel enigmatic events around the world.

Created by Italian comic-book legend Alfredo Castelli, Martin’s adventures have sold millions of copies across Europe as well as a 2D animated series that premiered 20 years ago. Martin Mystère: The New Animated Series will feature state-of-the-art animation techniques and storytelling crafted to appeal to all ages, according to the producers.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Bonneli Entertainment, the production arm of the comic-book publisher Sergio Bonneli Editore, on this exciting new project,” said Manoj Mishra, CEO of Powerkids Entertainment. “Our goal is to bring Martin Mystère, a.k.a. Martin Mystery, to life in a way that will engage and inspire viewers around the world, and we believe that this new 3D animated series will do just that.”

Series executive producer Vincenzo Sarno, Head of Property Business Development for Sergio Bonneli Editore and Bonneli Entertainment, commented, “Togetherness, for me, means teamwork. We are very proud of our vast slate of comic books that have entertained generations and are distributed across the globe. Now, we want to bring our legends to life through animation to entertain both existing and a new generation of viewers. We want to broadly share the wonderful universe of SBE.

“We are very excited to partner with Powerkids Entertainment, to develop and bring these characters, comic books and stories to life. We are confident that our partnership will be an incredible success given the experience and long track record of Powerkids Entertainment’s management team.”

Powerkids Entertainment will produce and distribute the 3D animated series globally. Production is due to begin at the end of this year, with a release date set for the later part of 2025. Additional details will be announced in due time.

Dragon Ball To Return With New Anime Series Dragon Ball: DAIMA To Commemorate 40th Anniversary

The first trailer for the upcoming Dragon Ball DAIMA anime premiere was shown at the franchise’s panel at the 2023 New York Comic Con on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Previously leaked with the subtitle Magic rather than DAIMA, the new anime series is set to premiere in Fall 2024 according to this latest and first teaser trailer.

One of the key differences between Dragon Ball DAIMA anime and the leaked Magic details seems to be exactly who is turned into a child via a wish with the Dragon Balls. Whereas the Magic leaks claimed that just Goku and Shin would be turned into children, it seems that the entire mainline cast of the series has suffered the same fate.

While information on the series is somewhat minimal at this time, Dragon Ball DAIMA seems to be a new canonical mainline anime set around the same time as when Super takes place. Fans also get a look at the apparent upcoming antagonists for the anime, who’ve seemingly been watching the Z Fighters and all their past struggles this entire time.

The Dragon Ball DAIMA teaser trailer first starts with a brief overview of the history of the series, stretching from its debut as a manga in 1984 and beyond. Scenes from the non-canonical GT are even included here, which is certainly an intriguing choice. In any case, this continues until the year 2023 appears on the screen, with nothing playing behind it.

The year then changes to 2024 as the teaser trailer truly begins. Fans are taken to a demonic-looking castle, where two unknown apparent antagonists are standing within. They are surrounded by events from the history of the series, which seem to only cover the events of the Z anime.

After some brief seemingly unimportant shots, Shenron is seen appearing and asking someone for their wish. This is followed by a scene that sees both Goku and Vegeta turned into children, a plight that is revealed to have affected Bulma, Chi Chi, and essentially everyone else in the main cast. 

The group is seen heading to the lookout and other various locations in the series, before once again showing the demonic castle and antagonists within.The trailer ends with a beam struggle between Goku and Vegeta as adults, before showing a young Goku preparing to fight someone and revealing the series logo. 

Given the Fall 2024 release window, the series’ premiere will most likely coincide with the 40th anniversary of the original series, set to take place in November 2024. However, this is wholly speculative, with no further information on the series beyond what’s described above.

Why 7de Laan Might Not Be Replaced With Another Afrikaans Soap On SABC 2?

A few months ago, the public broadcaster decided to part ways with 7de Laan after a 23 year run. It had since then left angry and disgruntled SABC viewers wondering how they'll spend the family nights as a petition had gone around in the hopes to save one of the broadcaster's golden classics.

Filming for the series ends in the coming weeks with the last episode set on Day Of Goodwill (26 December) leaving several crew members unemployed with others resurfacing on e.tv and kykNET. 

According to sources, the public broadcaster doesn't have a replacement put in place meaning similar to Isidingo consumers might have to wait before any word on a new soap. It had also been implied that it being "Afrikaans" hasn't sustained itself with SABC 2's current audience.

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Meaning 7de Laan will likely get replaced with another local drama similar to Muvhango as opposed to getting a timeslot or channel tailored to Afrikaans as seen with eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET. This could lead to a drop in viewership not only for 18:30 but the rest of SABC 2.

SABC 3 at one point had the edge over e.tv with shows like Top Billing and Isidingo. Now it's just a corps of its former glory, telecasting local shows from SABC 1 with international shows like Killing Eve pull less than 200000 viewers while Days Of Our Lives could triple it's viewers.

The fall of Afrikaans TV

Prior to the cancellation of 7de Laan, StarSat cancelled the only kykNET alternative in the market OnseTV and MyTV. This was due to low viewership as the brand looks to invest locally by dubbing various international dramas from Bollywood and Asia to local languages.

Could SABC 2 be going a similar route?

SABC 2 at one point was tailored to only Afrikaans before the airtime was halved to incorporate other South African languages. The cancellation of 7de Laan would further diminish the airtime as not everyone has access to shows like Binnelanders and Suidooster on kykNET.

New Series Alert: The One Who Couldn't Love And The Rich Also Cry Coming Soon To TLNovelas Across Africa

TLNovelas, a Mexican based English dubbed entertainment channel operated by TelevisaUnivision will be rolling out two new shows in the coming months The Rich Also Cry (Los Ricos También Lloran) and The One Who Couldn't Love (La Que No Podía Amar).

Based on the 1979 Mexican telenovela of the same name, it follows Mariana, a poor woman, moves into a lavish mansion after saving the life of a wealthy patriarch. When she falls in love with the patriarch's son Luis Alberto, they must confront class differences between their family and friends.

It starred Sebastián Rulli as Luis Alberto Salvatierra, Claudia Martín as Mariana Villarreal, Fabiola Guajardo as Soraya Montenegro, Azela Robinson as Elena Suárez and Alejandra Barros as Daniela Montesinos.

The One Who Couldn't Love tells the story of a young woman named Ana Paula who fights to set herself free from her powerful, short-tempered husband Rogelio, whom she met while working at the Hacienda del Fuerte. She leaves and meets Gustavo, a handsome young engineer who rescues her from an accident. 

It starred Jorge Salinas as Rogelio Montero Báez, José Ron as Gustavo Durán Esquivel, Susana González as Cynthia Montero Báez and Ana Brenda Contreras as Ana Paula Carmona Flores.

The Rich Also Cry replaces Overcoming The Past from 4 December while The One Who Couldn't Love replaces Heartless from 11 December thus concluding the introduction of new series with more to be unveiled by next year.

Recap To The Month: MultiChoice Blocks Openview And StarSat From Viewing Rugby And Cricket

During the month, eMedia Investments' took legal action against MultiChoice for blocking them from broadcasting the Rugby World Cup on Openview accusing them of being anti-competitive. MultiChoice lodged a counterclaim accusing them of free-riding.

Had the SABC not looked into licencing these matches it would have been exclusive to DStv Premium. If eMedia had won the case, they'd be required by MultiChoice to licence these matches or better yet assist the public broadcaster in obtaining them.

SABC has been going financial constraints that they relied on sponsors to get these matches. MultiChoice aware of their situation had looked to ease the burden by charging SABC less money which came at the price of restricting consumers outside DStv from viewing them.

Similar to eMedia Investments, even StarSat couldn't licenced rights to any matches from SuperSport and don't seem to be taking legal action or trying to get the funds to broadcast these matches through a reply from a viewer.

MultiChoice view these platforms as competitors and as such restrict them from their content. Should eMedia Investments or StarSat not bother to negotiate with SuperSport to get these matches it would drive away consumers and lead them to rival platforms.