Featured MEdia
Supply Chains

Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery

For many children who grew up in the 1900s, Tom and Jerry was a staple of their childhood. Whether it was before school, after homework, or during outdoor play, few could escape the charm of this iconic cat-and-mouse duo. The show’s immense popularity has led to numerous spin-offs and feature films that continue to delight audiences today.

One standout project is Tom and Jerry Singapore, a series of seven three-minute episodes that have aired on Cartoon Network across various regions, including South and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, the USA, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), and Latam (Latin America). The series premiered in October 2023 for the APAC region, with other areas launching at different times. This marks the first time the beloved American classic has been adapted for an Asian context.

“Tom and Jerry is a globally cherished brand with universal appeal and timeless humor, and it remains incredibly popular in the Asia Pacific,” said Carlene Tan, senior director of kids content and animated original productions at Warner Bros. Discovery. “We began with a simple question: what if Tom and Jerry were born in Asia? This inspired us to reimagine the iconic duo within vibrant, familiar local settings, ultimately leading to the production of this localized series inspired by Singapore.

Produced in Singapore in collaboration with Warner Bros. Animation, the series follows the legendary frenemies as they navigate the colorful neighborhoods, modern skyscrapers, and lush city-in-nature experiences of the Lion City.

Localizing such an iconic property presented its own set of challenges. “It meant more than simply changing the backdrop. We had to rethink the setting, context, overall tone, and how the characters are presented,” Tan explained. “We also wanted the scenes to be recognizably Asian, incorporating local locations and cultural elements.”

For example, one episode features Tom and Jerry embroiled in a “thorny” dispute over the aroma of durian, Asia’s famously divisive fruit. Even the music underwent a transformation, with the classic big-band, jazzy score being adapted to include traditional Asian instruments like the sitar, tabla, gamelan, and guzheng.

One of the highlights for Tan was integrating Singapore’s landmarks into the series, including the iconic Merlion—an 8.6-meter statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. In the episode titled “Count On Merli,” the duo meets a new friend, Merli, as they race along Singapore’s vibrant riverside. “The episode explores whether Merli can become the peacemaker between the legendary frenemies,” she noted.

At its core, Tom and Jerry remains a lively duo driven by rivalry, the thrill of the chase, and mischievous fun that has entertained generations. The collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery and the Singapore Tourism Board played a crucial role in bringing this series to life, highlighting the franchise while inspiring travel to Singapore. “For this adaptation, we stayed true to the classic dynamics while weaving in local touches—from culinary delights like ice kachang to backdrops such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Sentosa.

This series marks the first Tom and Jerry television adaptation created entirely in Asia. Warner Bros. Discovery partnered with local creative talent across the region, including Singapore-based studios Robot Playground Media and Chips and Toon for storytelling and design, as well as India’s Aum Animation Studios for animation.

“As the franchise celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, it’s exciting to see Tom and Jerry continue to evolve, proving that a well-loved cartoon never grows old,” Tan concluded.

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.