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Nelvana, Sumitomo Reveal Geki Drive Animated Series Based on Bandai's Car Toy Line
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Corus Entertainment announced on February 7 that its Nelvana subsidiary and Sumitomo Corporation will produce the Geki Drive animated series as their first collaborative project.
The 2D/3D hybrid animated series will have 52 11-minute episodes and will target boys aged six to eight. The show is based on Bandai Spirits' customizable cars toy line of the same name. Corus Entertainment describes the show's story:
GEKI DRIVE is the story of the Pod Squad — a team of young racers that bursts onto the scene to take the Geki Circuit by storm. But the higher the Squad climbs, the more daunting challenges they face. If they hope to reach the top of the Geki leader board, the Squad must rely on their instincts, their unique skills and, most of all, each other. GEKI DRIVE combines high tech racing, teamwork, and out-of-the-box thinking to create an action-packed thrill ride of a lifetime!
Mike McDougal (Mysticons, D.N. Ace) is directing the series, and Al Schwartz (Max Steel, Paw Patrol) is the head writer. Content creation company Zeroichi and its president Shigeki Fujiwara — who was involved with the creation of the Beyblade, Battle B-Daman, Aikatsu!, and Majin Bone franchises — is also involved in the project. Former Cartoon Network president and COO Stuart Snyder is serving as an adviser.
Corus Entertainment had announced the partnership between Nelvana and Sumitomo in February 2018 to co-produce "anime properties with international appeal."
Bandai launched the Geki Drive franchise with racing car kits in January 2016. The cars utilize the "Link Unit System," making them easy to assemble and to upgrade with new parts. Bandai shared an animated promotional video for the toy line in October 2015.
Atsushi Ōba launched a manga adaptation of the toy line titled Geki Racer Sōtarō!! in Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine in 2015, and ended the series in 2016. Shogakukan shipped three compiled volumes for the series.
Source: Corus Entertainment via I Miss Bionix
