TOKYOPOP has recruited two of the animation worlds most celebrated scribesCraig Bartlett and Mark Seidenbergto develop television scripts inspired by two of its hot youth properties, STRAY SHEEP and KARMA CLUB.
First on deck, veteran screenwriter Bartlett, creator and writer of HEY ARNOLD! and JOHNNY BRAVO, has just wrapped development on a kids comedy series based on the beloved characters in Tatsutoshi Nomuras international sensation STRAY SHEEP. The series debuted in 1994 as a series of animated shorts on Japanese television.
Ive been an anime fan for years, but the STRAY SHEEP stand out because of their unique look that appeals to my sense of design and humor, said Bartlett. I hope to develop this property into the kind of comedy that should enjoy a large audience in the States, while still maintaining its original kooky sensibility.
Emmy Award-winning writer Seidenberg (TUTENSTEIN, JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES) is penning the script for KARMA CLUB, the debut childrens manga novel franchise from D.J. Milky, the co-creator of TOKYOPOPs best-selling manga PRINCESS AI. This kids action/adventure comedy envisions a world created by teens, in which cool music and good Karma rule the day. However, wheres theres good, theres always bad, and in this classic battle of good vs. evil, the villains seek to reverse good Karma for evil purposes. The fate of the world lies in the hands of five talented teen musicians who use their band as a cover to hide their secret agent status.
When I first heard of creator D.J. Milkys ideas about KARMA CLUB, I was intrigued, said Seidenberg. Its all about great, fun stuff like Karma, teens, music and (of course) the villains who hate everything that those things represent. What an awesome combo! No ones ever seen this kind of an animated show before, and I wanted to be part of it.
TOKYOPOP is proud and honored to have partnered with such acclaimed writers as Craig Bartlett and Mark Seidenberg, said Steve Galloway, TOKYOPOPs exec director of film/television. The storyboard aspect of manga is practically custom-built for the screen and with the addition of these two celebrated writers, TOKYOPOP is poised to create terrific television packages for kids.
TOKYOPOP is a youth-oriented entertainment company that creates, licenses and publishes hundreds of book, DVD and music properties. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
