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Mike Young Productions and Gamania Digital Entertainment partner with Cartoon Network to co-produce Hero: 108.
Mike Young Productions (MYP), one of the largest independent animation studios in the US, and Gamania Digital Entertainment (GDE), the largest publisher of online multi-player games in Asia, have partnered with Cartoon Network International to co-produce the new animated comedy/action series "Hero: 108." This flash animated series, featuring a unique design, is a great fit for today's multi-platform digital landscape and has been conceived with an eye towards online gaming and interactivity with its intended 6-11 year old worldwide audience.

Both groundbreaking and visually stunning, the production is also a one-of-a-kind collaboration of artists from Asia, Europe and Hollywood, with Taiwan-based Gamania's team sharing pre-production responsibilities and MYP augmenting their work at studios in Europe and the US. "We have really created an animation ‘Dream Team' for the production of this show," said Bill Schultz, three-time Emmy® Award winning Partner and co-CEO of MYP, as well as executive producer on the project.

Production of the series also reunites Schultz with Taiwanese animation director and Gamania's creative director, Pongo Kuo, and Gamania producer Sanvy Hsieh, as well as three-time Emmy Award winning ("The Simpsons," "King of the Hill") producer Lolee Aries, who will serve as MYP's Los Angeles-based producer on the series. Schultz has worked with these three creatives on hundreds of half hours of classic award-winning and nominated cartoons like "Garfield & Friends," "Bobby's World" and "The Tom & Jerry Movie," with the late Joe Barbera.

"We are thrilled to be working with the team at Cartoon Network International on this important project," added Schultz. "They really support creativity at the highest level and their involvement secures a world-class platform for this truly deserving production, positioning the show for enormous breakout potential." Rounding out the production team will be Rita Street ("Ruby Gloom") of Radar Cartoons, who will be executive producing for GDE, Co-Executive Producer Kent Redeker and John Fountain ("The Fairly OddParents") who will direct the series with Gamania's Kuo.

"Hero:108" is a coming-of-age tale, focused on 14 year old Lin Chung (a.k.a. Panther Eye), a young warrior with special powers. Lin is part of a group of kid defenders determined to end a conflict between animals and humans in a hidden kingdom. Based on the ancient Chinese novel The Water Margin, "Hero:108" features striking Asian-influenced character designs by show creator Phoenix Tarng, who is also part of Gamania's in-house creative development team.
"Cartoon Network International is an ideal partner for this series," said GDE CEO Albert Liu, an executive producer on the project. "They share our common vision - not only in the creative direction of the show - but also in the idea of digital distribution across many platforms that we and Mike Young Productions have put forward. Their creative resources and global reach will provide the series the greatest opportunity for success."

"Hero 108 possesses a rare combination of funny, original storytelling and fresh, exciting visuals," said Daniel Lennard, Vice President, Original Series and Development for Cartoon Network Europe. "The show is at the same time both spirited and sweet, and it is that sensibility which makes it feel like a true Cartoon Network program. We are eager to present the series to our worldwide kid audience and trust that they will love it as much as we do!"