Build-A-Bear Characters Inspire Animated Series ‘Kabu’ Based On Kawaii Culture; Mike Mariano Among Writing Team
17.01.2024 - 16:20
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Build-A-Bear‘s stuffed animal characters have inspired development of animated series Kabu.
Build-A-Bear Entertainment, Foundation Media Partners and Montreal toon maker Laughing Dragon Studios are working up a 10-part show, aimed at 7-11s, and release an exclusive first look at the upcoming Kidscreen Summit.
Mike Mariano, writer and producer on network sitcoms such as Raising Hope and My Name is Earl, is writing alongside Drew Gormley (Family Guy), Claire Ross Dunn (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Nina’s World), Brian Clark (Glisten and the Merry Mission) and Monica Kelly (Cocomelon).
Build-A-Bear President and CEO Sharon Price John and Foundation Media CEO Patrick Hughes executive producing the series.
The show is billed as a “stylized, colorful new offering with a fun ensemble cast of a variety of ‘stuffed animal’ friends,” with the creative influenced by the popularity of kawaii styling and each episode utilizing “an entertaining, sometimes ‘wacky’ way of exploring concepts ranging from creative problem solving to friendship where the viewer goes on adventures with the cadre of critters who learn that working together and staying positive leads to the best result.”
The ensemble cast will include actors voicing popular and new Build-A-Bear characters.
Diamond White (Moon Girl, Boo!: A Madea Halloween) plays Bearnice, Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs, Ralph Breaks the Internet) is Bearnard, social media personality Thomas Sanders is Bearemy, Priah Ferguson (Stranger Things, The Curse of Bride Hollow) is Catrina, Ryan Potter (Big Hero 6, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous) is Monkgomery, Brec Bassinger (StarGirl, VC Andrews’s Dawn) is Pawlette, Lilah Fitzgerald (Monster High, Lucky Hank) is Pandamona, Margie