European Animation Invasion?

[Freedom Fighter]

Totally Spies. Funky Cops. The Cramp Twins. Code: Lyoko. Martin Mystery. Winx Club. What do all six of these shows have in common?

They are all shows that were originally produced in Europe.

Granted, they aren't the first. But never has there been this many shows from 'across the pond' on air in the US at one time. Chances are you have watched at least one of these shows.

So why are there so many nowadays? Place your votes now! I'm interested in hearing what you all have to say.

(I'll ring in my opinion later on, if enough people have put their two cents in.)

[Tommy Lawson]

You forgot to add in W.I.T.C.H., coming February 2005 to Jetix on Toon Disney and ABC Family, produced by SIP Animation in Paris.

[Westlander]

Do you have Chris Colorado in the US? No? A great French cartoon (the style is sort of weird...But overall all right), but I guess there's too much violence for those homegrown Liebermans in American TV. Like, sometimes the hero snaps a neck or two, Thanors (the bad guys) kill themselves by pushing a switch in the side of their heads and there's a lot of fistfights.

[Obi]

Totally Spies. Code: Lyoko. Martin Mystery. Winx Club. What do all four of these shows have in common?
They all look like anime? :p

[MonkeyFunk]

Yeah, I think he's hit the mark, it's at least partly to cash in on anime's popularity. It's also cheaper to dub a foreign cartoon - JApanese or European - than to produce an American one.

[Dudley]

Woah, people American TV viewers care about diversity?

[RayChuang]

Animated shows produced in Europe tend to have 26-episode "seasons," mostly because that's how they program such shows on European channels.

This is why the first season of W.i.t.c.h. will have 26 episodes, given that's it is being produced by SIP Animation in France.

[tucsoncoyote]

Animated shows produced in Europe tend to have 26-episode "seasons," mostly because that's how they program such shows on European channels.

This is why the first season of W.i.t.c.h. will have 26 episodes, given that's it is being produced by SIP Animation in France.
Correct you are Ray and in fact that's another reason why European shows do far better then American animation.. because they have to produce a Set number of shows per season, rather then any number of shows when the feel like it.

Also another factor here is that the shows are negotiated by the Companies Year by year, and in fact if they have a Hit on their Hands you can imagine that a series could in theory run for a rather long time..

Case In Point, Totally Spies! (Made By Marathon) Originally bought by Fox for Fox Family this series would have run just 52 episodes unless 'certain factors' hadn't come into play..

but thanks to the folks at Cartoon Network, who saw this series potential, we could be looking at one of the Longest Running Spy Girl Series ever.. (Already 52 episodes are done, and Cartoon Network has already negotiated for at least another 26 with a fourth season of 26 on the animation boards, and with talks of Even a FIFTH season in the works.. That's 130 Episodes..

The Reason why these series are done so well is because they are only done 26 at a time, if the ratings look good another 26 episodes are produced and so on. Plus, the fact that the animation companies over in Europe do one thing that American companies fail to do.. Listen to their fans. .

Meanwhile American Animators animated When they feel like it.. One Season you might get 20 or so episodes the next 34.. the following just 9 or 10.. there's no set pattern to the number of Episodes that American animators produce.

Meahwhile European animators have a Set schedule and they do their jobs quite nicely.. I guess that's one of the reasons why I like the European animation (you know what you are getting in terms of Quantity and Quality (or lack there of) . rather then guessing how much you will get in a single season, and a lot of it not being very quality in nature.

That plus the animation is more anime like, plue it gives more diversity to the story line..and sometimes these storylines are very well written.

Now if they could just take the American Writer ideas and really fuse that with the anime like style of European animation, we could really get some kick butt shows that could set the American animation industry on their ear..

but that's all I'm going to say about this .

:coyote:

[Rune]

Do you have Chris Colorado in the US? No? A great French cartoon .
Whoo another Chris Colorado fan at long last! I was begininning to wonder of anyone else ever heard of it let alone liked it. Its definitely one of my favourite shows. ^_^ Oh and RayChuang / TucsonCoyote you're right there with the episode count, twenty six in all, two series of 13

Slightly O/T but Colorado aside over in the States you can think yourselves lucky you haven't had some of the 'local grown' stuff we've had over here, years ago CN used to air a show called the Fruitties which I think was Spanish and whose theme tune still haunts me to this day.

I don't know anything about relative production costs etc but I've noticed some of the shows on in the US now such as Cramp Twins started off over here first & the latest Gadget outing was a Fox Kids UK/Channel 5 (UK) venture, and I assume Mr Bean's animated adventures made it Stateside too?

[Happy]

I assume Mr Bean's animated adventures made it Stateside too? I'll go out on a limb and say that it most probably did not make it over here.

[Magwheel]

Rune: Animated Mr. Bean has been (or at least was) on tv here in Canada, in case you're interested. On CBC, I'm pretty sure. I've only seen it a few times, though it was neat :) I enjoyed watching it, with all its British humor and so on :D

I didn't realize that was made over there, though I guess that makes sense, huh? that's pretty cool :tup: (thumbs-up icon we don't have)

[Andrew T. Hingson]

They all look like anime? :p
Very true.

You forgot Funky Cops. It's European anime as well.

[Freedom Fighter]

I didn't know Funky Cops was from Europe! I thought it was American-produced. But I probably would know that if I watched that show.

Edited my original post to include Funky Cops and Cramp Twins in the list. W.I.T.C.H. doesn't count because it hasn't aired in the US yet.

Anyway, I chose 'To fill a time slot,' because that's what most of them are doing. Cartoon Network brought Totally Spies back to the US because they needed a show that appealed to young girls. It's 'brother' series, Martin Mystery, now airs on the Fox Box, and fills a slot for them for the summer. There could be debate for the other 'from Europe' shows as well, since it's become obvious that networks are not finding enough of their own original series... or good ones, anyway... to use. Or they don't have the resources to make more new ones.

[shogunthethird]

actually, the animated Mr. Bean has come stateside, It used to run late-night weekends on my local PBS affiliate and I can definitely see European shows making it big stateside, if I'm not mistaken Wallace and Gromit is something of a cult hit here (outside of anime I'm also a big fan of British comedy)

[Prism]

I like European animation . They have a style all their own which is somewhat of a hybrid between Japanese anime/manga and American comics/cartoons. The Smurfs was a Flemish/French comic book.W.I.T.C.H originated in Italy, Dangermouse was from England as was a nonDisney Wind in the Willows movie. The main obstacle to more importations is how they're produced, since I think Europe has a different recording system then America but anyway if they can be imported then more power to them.

[Mystic Shadow]

Totally Spies. Funky Cops. The Cramp Twins. Code: Lyoko. Martin Mystery. Winx Club. What do all six of these shows have in common?They all suck. Oh wait, it's not that kinda thread.... They're from Europe.

[Bubblegum Girl]

I don't mind watching European cartoons as long as I like the show. ;)

[RayChuang]

The Reason why these series are done so well is because they are only done 26 at a time, if the ratings look good another 26 episodes are produced and so on. Plus, the fact that the animation companies over in Europe do one thing that American companies fail to do.. Listen to their fans. .

I think because both W.i.t.c.h. and Winx Club are enormous hits in France and Italy (two countries where people really appreciate good locally-produced comics and animation), I have this feeling that both series are going to have surprisingly long runs as animated series. Because both series are produced on European program schedules, both series will probably end up with at least 79 episodes being produced. :cool:

I think Marathon in France must really appreciate the fact that Cartoon Network (and the fact the show is a huge hit in its native France) could end up with Totally Spies having potentially 130 episodes be produced! :D

[STARTOUNZ]

I remember CN aired a young Sinbad cartoon series in the 90's and from the end credits it looked like it had come from Europe. I'm hoping that can come back someday.

[shogunthethird]

were Cyber-six and Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd century European-made? they do have the look of Euromation and I remember enjoying the Sherlock Holmes one immensely (which kind of explains why I've taken such a shine to Detective Conan/Case Closed, I love a good mystery)

[sag_2002]

As much as I like American-made animation, European made animation is a lot cooler.

And 2004-2005 is looking quite awesome as far as European animation goes. Already we've gotten some good stuff. Fox Box has given us Funky Cops and Martin Mystery, this Saturday, they're giving us The Winx Club, Cartoon Network has Totally Spies and Code Lyoko, two of my favorite Miguzi programs, in 2005, W.i.t.c.h. hits the Jetix block (so can't wait for that)... lots of great cartoons and they all come from Europe.

[lostrune]

were Cyber-six and Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd century European-made? they do have the look of Euromation

IIRC, Cyber Six is a French-Canadian co-production based on the Argentine comics.

I think another Fox Kids show The Magician may be of European origin too.

[tucsoncoyote]

As much as I like American-made animation, European made animation is a lot cooler.

And 2004-2005 is looking quite awesome as far as European animation goes. Already we've gotten some good stuff. Fox Box has given us Funky Cops and Martin Mystery, this Saturday, they're giving us The Winx Club, Cartoon Network has Totally Spies and Code Lyoko, two of my favorite Miguzi programs, in 2005, W.i.t.c.h. hits the Jetix block (so can't wait for that)... lots of great cartoons and they all come from Europe.
I agree Marathon Animation of France has been on a Hot Streak and is putting some of the animation studios to shame here in the states.. Also I have to Agree here Sag_2002 about one thing.. European animation studios aren't afraid of trying different things..

Marathon has two hit shows (Martian Mysteries and Totally Spies!) one is a Sci fi Genre, the other Spy Girl Genre.. and then there is Code: Lyoko.. which I think IMHO, is perhaps the best Blend of 2D and 3D animation ever..(this proves a theory I have had that you can mix mediums and in fact this show (and the company that produced it), did it way better then Disney ever did with The Mighty Ducks..

Then of course There's Funky Cops (and Yes I've seen this one on Fox Box, and this makes The Mod Squad, Starsky and Hutch, and all those 1970's and 1980's cop shows look tame by Comparison.. (and the theme here is Crime/Drama/Comedy.. something that has NEVER worked before ever).

Also Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century.. While DIC owns the rights, the company that produced it, (which is European) definitely had a winner here.. and bleieve me I like this one too..

I guess European animation isn't just about diversity, it's also about quality here.. (sure some shows suffer a little from the lack of creative writing), but the animation definitely works.. and sometimes works so well that these shows are definitely popular..) The closest Animation America Has to Offer here is perhaps Kim Possible (with it's simplistic styles, bright coloring, and funny writing), Megas XLR with it's writings being humorous and Campy Spoof fun, and of course the Animation is very anime like) and of course Teen Titans.. (this show works as well on the American side, because of "The Blend" as I call it.. a hybrid of anime and Americanized characters with just as funny writing)

so this does show that American animation Companies could take a Major Lesson from the Europeans.. who 20 years ago were really lacking in animation styles.. seems what goes around comes around.. mais Non?

:coyote:

[Poofie]

Hi,

I'm from the netherlands and i think a lot of european animation is doing so well in america because it's something new. It's a different view off what kids like and it's not stereotype american animation it's cute and they have an own certain style. But the old animations between 1980-1995 are some of the best animations i think.
Disney is also a company that uses european style because it's globally more apealling. Mikey mouse is also created by a dutch artist and so are some other famous Disney characters. So i don't think it's much of a suprise that european animation is making an uprise in america.

In europe we have cartoon and america has comics and what disney makes is more inspiered by cartoon so you see i don't think it's that weird ^_^.

[RayChuang]

Poofie,

What's interesting is that the Walt Disney Company has a very long and extensive history in Europe. Indeed, by the early 1930's Disney characters were extremely famous in Europe, well-known enough that Nazi propaganda minister Josef Goebbels and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini actually praised Disney animated short subject films! :eek:

Disney properties are especially popular in Italy, where magazines based on Disney characters were already very popular before the Second World War. Indeed, FIAT named one of its famous small cars Topolino (Italian for "mouse") after Mickey Mouse in the middle 1930's! After the war, Disney started up a weekly magazine named Topolino, one that has continually published right to this day (and gets 1 million Italian readers per week, natch).

[Philo & Gunge]

I think it's for networks needing something for a time slot.

[Master Moron]

So, how are the dubs on these European shows? When anime first became popular, there was a plethora of Americanized dubs, where the script and music was thrown out and the animation was completely rearranged. Actually, there's still quite a few dubs like that, just look at FoxBox. But, anyway, what's the state of English dubs of European animation in the U.S.?

[Wascally Wabbit]

But, anyway, what's the state of English dubs of European animation in the U.S.?
All I know is that when Danger Mouse appeared in the States, Baron Greenback's henchman Stileto was redubbed. In the UK, Stileto is an Italian-gangster type, but network executives in the US were worried that this would offend too many folk, so they redubbed him with a cockney accent! :confused:

[loyalheart]

while i will watch this type of animation, the only thing i find very annoying is the way the mouths move, but i guess that's only because it's not made for the english speaking audience first lol (i know i know)

but isnt it possible that while networks need to fill a timeslot it could be cheaper purchasing an overseas thing compared to producing it in the states? j/w

[Nick K.]

I saw The Cramp Twins for the first time today! It was pretty cool...

[Freedom Fighter]

So, how are the dubs on these European shows? When anime first became popular, there was a plethora of Americanized dubs, where the script and music was thrown out and the animation was completely rearranged. Actually, there's still quite a few dubs like that, just look at FoxBox. But, anyway, what's the state of English dubs of European animation in the U.S.?
I don't have access to the original versions, so I couldn't give you an accurate answer. But I can tell you what I know about the European shows I do watch.

Totally Spies: I have reason to believe that other than the mix-up in the opening theme, the series is totally intact. That's because I'm guessing that Marathon, the company/network that makes the show, released the series in both the UK and France at the same time. So it's basically the UK version we're seeing in the US.

Code Lyoko: Not quite sure, but other than translation from French to English, it's intact. After all, you're talking about a show in which numerous shots of teenager girl's undergarments are shown uncut. But there are rumors that Cartoon Network isn't showing the episodes in the same order it was shown in France.

Martin Mystery: Don't know, but since Marathon also made this show, it may be intact.

Winx Club: 4Kids did the dubbing, so, sad to say, things may have been changed a bunch... but I'm not sure.


In my opinion, I think the European for-TV-dubs are being handled better than the Japanese for-TV-dubs were originally... but like I said, I don't have access to the original versions or any information about them.

[Tommy Lawson]

Winx Club: 4Kids did the dubbing, so, sad to say, things may have been changed a bunch... but I'm not sure.
I found this link very interesting, since the English dubbing was already done for the Italian DVD releases before Winx Club even premiered here, and amazingly, the English audio actually is included on the Italian DVD versions. There shouldn't be a difference between the two versions, but without seeing the DVD itself, it's impossible to tell:

http://www.cartonionline.com/dvd/animazione/Winx_Club.htm

[GL2k2]

I'm actually not that surprised to learn these toons were made overseas. At first I thought they were just the new stuff down the pipe from Nelvana or Dic or one of those companies, but then I didn't quite recognize the styles. So, I say more power to them.

American cartoons are not harmed by the animators, lets get that straight, they're harmed by the producers and the distributors. If American animators had their way, there would be a lot more cooler stuff on tv, but we have a little problem called ratings and then there's the fact that their aren't that many avenues. If you're an animator you pretty much like everything else in this country only have two choices, CN or Disney, but then there's Nick which looks at more stuff than the other two, but is more dumbdowned in content in than the other two.

[Dudley]

Y'all remember Walter Melon? And the cartoons made by Saban? Those were made in Europe.

Even (Inspector) Gadget in the Gadgetinis, were made in Europe.