Ellipsanime starts production of "Akissi" for French TV, WarnerMedia Africa

Akissi is a new special 2D animated series for children based on the internationally successful comic series by Marguerite Abouet and Mathieu Sapin, at the Ellipse Studios in Paris. The 26-minute adventure is produced by Ellipsanime Productions and co-financed by France Télévisions (France) and WarnerMedia (Anglophone Africa).

Published in France by Gallimard Jeunesse (10 volumes; the last in November sold more than 115.000 of which 13.000 in Africa) and translated into nine languages, Akissi is inspired by the writer's childhood in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The animation of the special is inspired by Clément Oubrerie's illustrations for comics.

“Working on this project means first of all entering the wonderful universe of Marguerite Abouet with her fantastic breath of freedom,” said Arthur Colignon, producer of Ellipsanime. "And travel, literally and metaphorically, from one continent to another, with the promise of being able to soon give young viewers a television playground made up of discoveries, crazy ideas and lots of pranks ..."

The bi-continental comedy-adventure features music composed by French Central African-born singer and musician Bibi Tanga, influenced by jazz, funk and afrobeat sounds. Line producer Angelin Paul, like Abouet, was born in the Ivory Coast. The French-language voices for Akissi and her friends were launched on the streets of Abidjan and recorded last April at Sony Music studios in the Ivory Coast. International voiceovers will be created in South Africa by the African Animation Network.

"Akissi invites children to go to a hot and chaotic unknown world, an uninhibited and relaxed wandering through an Africa so close and yet so far, ”said Abouet. "It's like an open-air theater where your attention is unceremoniously captured by these young characters and their sense of hospitality, and even if they have some flaws they are always cheerful and active, and children all over the world will know how to recognize with their."

Akissi uses humor, energy and a universal style to tell the stories of the intrepid little girl and her best friend, the monkey Boubou. He also paints a portrait of a lively and uninhibited Africa, far from the usual clichés, which will become as familiar to viewers as it is in Abouet.

The special is directed by Alexandre Coste, who directed the web series of Roger and his humans (40 million views) based on Cyprien's comics, for Média-Participations with Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel. Abouet wrote the screenplay with Louise and Baptiste Grosfilley. Executive producers are Caroline Audebert and Caroline Duvochel.