New Mega Man cartoon in development for 2017 premiere
DHX Media Ltd. and Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. have announced plans to develop, co-produce, distribute and jointly manage licensing for a new Mega Man animated series based upon the legendary Capcom Mega Man video game franchise.
The new animated series is aiming for a younger audience and will bring its own spin to the Mega Man lore by introducing the character’s Aki Light, described as “a normal, upbeat, schoolboy robot. When activated, his skin re-forms – in a flurry of computer code and visual pyrotechnics – into a suit of impenetrable nanocore armor, including the iconic Mega Buster arm cannon and helmet.”
DHX’s Chief Content Officer, Asaph Fipke, said, “We’re very excited to be working with Dentsu on Mega Man. This is yet another deal born of our strategy of teaming up with leading companies on high-profile kids’ brands that we can leverage across our platform of production, distribution, licensing and broadcast. We see this as an excellent opportunity to build on the rich legacy of the Mega Man video game series and introduce the famous boy robot to a whole new generation of kids worldwide.”
Dentsu Entertainment USA’s Kinoshita said, “Mega Man has a rare, nearly three-decade-long tradition with fans. We are excited to work with DHX to bring this newly imagined version of a long-beloved character back to the global marketplace.”
Man of Action Entertainment, creators of Ben 10, Generator Rex, the team and characters in the Academy Award-winner Big Hero 6, and the executive producers/writers who launched Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, will executive produce the all-new Mega Man.
Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau said, “The best thing about Mega Man is his unflinching wide-eyed optimism and an over-the-top sense of humor. This show reflects both qualities. We’ve got it all in here, it’s hopeful, forward-leaning, action-packed… It’s full-on fun ahead!”
The new Mega Man animated series has a target air date of 2017, coinciding with the franchise’s 30th anniversary.