Abu Dhabi-based TwelveP Animation has teamed up with Singapore’s Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce Adventures of Akira & Mowgli, an exciting new spin-off of the cherished The Jungle Book animated franchise. This international collaboration is a groundbreaking achievement, marking the first animated co-production of its kind to emerge from Abu Dhabi and representing a significant step forward for the UAE’s animation industry.

The upcoming series offers a fresh perspective on the classic narrative, introducing a bold new female character, Akira, who joins Mowgli on exhilarating jungle escapades filled with emotion, humor, and stunning visuals aimed at captivating audiences worldwide.

The script is crafted by talented writers Jeff Sager and Eric Steinhart, known for their work on popular children’s series such as PJ Masks, Super Wings, Paw Patrol, Dino Ranch, and The Snoopy Show. With production currently in full swing, the initial episodes are anticipated to be ready by mid-2025.

This project has attracted a prestigious lineup of co-producers, including BeIN (Qatar), De Planeta (Latin America), Telegael (Ireland), and Wall Peep (India), further enhancing the series’ global reach and production strength.

Even before its official debut, Adventures of Akira & Mowgli is already receiving industry accolades. Powerkids CEO Manoj Mishra has been awarded the Best Producer at the ANN Award 24, and the series has earned a nomination for Best International Showcase at the Cartoon on the Bay Pulcinella Awards.

Discussing the partnership and the animated series, Katerina Pshenitsyna, General Manager of TwelveP Animation, expressed: “We are thrilled to be the pioneering company from Abu Dhabi to establish an international co-production in animation that meets global standards! This initiative positions Abu Dhabi prominently within the International Animation Society and opens doors for future collaborations in this field. It also marks a significant milestone for TwelveP as we expand our focus from distribution to co-financing and co-producing family-friendly projects with international appeal. We believe that Akira & Mowgli has all the elements to become a successful global intellectual property.”

Manoj Mishra, CEO of Powerkids Entertainment, added: “This innovative series introduces Akira, a courageous and adventurous new female protagonist, who teams up with the beloved Mowgli in a jungle adventure filled with heart, humor, and breathtaking animation. Together, we will unveil the captivating world of Akira and Mowgli, sharing their story in an exciting and adventurous manner.”

Latifa Abdulla Al-Mana, Director of Kids Content and Channels at BeIN MENA, remarked: “We are excited to co-produce Adventures of Akira & Mowgli and look forward to bringing it exclusively to millions of children across the Middle East and North Africa. This partnership reinforces BeIN’s commitment to delivering high-quality, family-friendly Arabic content to young audiences in the region through our leading kids’ channels – Baraem and Jeem TV.”

Paul Cummins, CEO of Telegael, stated: “Telegael is thrilled to collaborate with Powerkids Entertainment to bring the thrilling adventures of Akira and Mowgli to audiences globally. Building on the immense success of The Jungle Book series, our beloved characters Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan, and Kaa will meet the vibrant energy of our new protagonist, Akira, a fearless girl from a nearby village. Together, Akira and Mowgli will outsmart mischievous foes, uncover ancient jungle secrets, and learn the true essence of friendship, courage, and the balance of nature.”

Carlos Biern, Content & Media Sales Director at DeAplaneta Entertainment, noted: “At DeAplaneta Entertainment, we are always seeking new opportunities to collaborate with leading studios worldwide, and Asia is a key region for us. This is an exciting moment to explore spin-offs of classic stories with universal appeal, bringing them to a global audience. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are delighted to partner with internationally renowned and award-winning studios like Powerkids, sharing our passion for storytelling and high-quality entertainment.”