An Inspiring Day at Toonz with Dr. S. Somanath

It was a moment of pride and inspiration for all of us at Toonz Media Group as we welcomed Padma Bhushan awardee and former ISRO Chairman, Dr. Somanath Sreedhara Panicker, to our Technopark headquarters. His visit added a special dimension to the three-day creative camp co-hosted by Toonz Animation and the Kerala Cartoon Academy, which brought together 45 accomplished cartoonists for an exploration of creativity in the digital age.

Creativity Meets Technology

A highlight of the day was the “Toon Craft” workshop, where participants immersed themselves in Artificial Intelligence tools and Digital Drawing platforms. The session sparked lively discussions on how emerging technologies can complement traditional cartooning techniques and expand the horizons of visual storytelling. Dr. Somanath, who has always emphasized the role of innovation in nation-building, encouraged the artists to embrace technology while staying true to the essence of their craft.

A Landmark Launch

The visit also marked the formal launch of Comicsinte Kerala Charithram: Oru Patanam, a monumental study on the history of comics in Kerala by veteran cartoonist and former MLA M. M. Monai. Dr. Somanath had the honour of unveiling the book and personally handing copies to participants. The gesture highlighted the importance of documenting and preserving Kerala’s rich creative heritage for future generations.

Inspiration for the Toonz Family

For Toonz, the occasion was more than just a prestigious visit — it was a reminder of the power of art, technology, and collaboration in shaping the creative industries of tomorrow. Interacting with Dr. Somanath was deeply motivating for everyone present, reinforcing the idea that creativity thrives when combined with curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to adapt.

As we continue to nurture talent and push creative boundaries, moments like these remind us of why Toonz stands at the forefront of animation and storytelling in India and beyond. The day will be remembered not only as an honour but also as a source of renewed energy and inspiration for all of us at Toonz.

Toonz Animation and NICHE Launch India’s First Industry–Academia

 Collaborative Degree in Creative Media
Toonz Animation, in collaboration with Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education (NICHE), Kanyakumari, has officially launched the country’s first industry–academia collaborative degree programme in creative media.
The newly introduced B.Sc. in Animation & Digital Designing (Hons.), an eight-semester programme, is designed to equip aspiring professionals with comprehensive skills in animation filmmaking, visual effects, and digital design. With the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector witnessing exponential growth, this programme aims to nurture students with both artistic creativity and advanced digital expertise, making them fully industry-ready.
As part of this initiative, India’s first university-based incubation centre was inaugurated at the NICHE campus on August 29, 2025, by P. K. Vijayakumar, Director – Operations, Toonz Media Group. Representing Noorul Islam University, Prof. Shajin Nargunam, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academics), and Dr. Anitha, Director – Admissions, were present during the launch. Following the inauguration, students had the unique opportunity to tour the incubation centre, interact with Toonz studio professionals, and participate in an exclusive career guidance session.
Drawing on the legacy of Toonz Animation, Technopark – India’s longest-standing animation production house, the incubation centre will serve as a vital bridge between academia and the animation industry. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with high-end workstations and the latest digital filmmaking technologies, including AI-integrated creative tools.
In addition, Toonz studio mentors will play an active role in shaping the academic journey by conducting specialized training sessions, offering internships, and providing professional mentorship. This hands-on approach ensures that students gain not only classroom knowledge but also practical exposure and industry-level experience throughout the programme.
With this pioneering collaboration, Toonz reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative leaders who can meet the demands of a fast-evolving global media landscape.

KCL Season 2: Bigger, Louder, and More Exciting than Ever!

Season 2 of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) is turning out to be a grand success, with spectators in the thousands thronging every match and the games themselves becoming more thrilling with each delivery. The energy in the stadiums has been electric, amplified further by the arrival of the official mascots, now fondly named Veeru and Charu.

Adding to the entertainment, our very own Chakyar continues to delight the crowds with his reactions - celebrating every boundary, reacting to wides, and bringing extra drama to the fall of every wicket.

On the creative front, the team designed striking logo idents that are receiving rave reviews. But the real showstopper has been the sleek and feature-rich KCL app, conceptualized, designed, and developed by Toonz. Officially launched by Divya S. Iyer, the app delivers a complete fan experience with live scores, match updates, galleries, highlights, and a loyalty points system that keeps fans engaged throughout the tournament. Complementing the app is the newly designed KCL website, offering the same seamless access to all tournament details.

Our promotional videos are not just running on live broadcast but also lighting up the stadium’s big screens, further enhancing the event atmosphere and creating an immersive cricketing celebration for fans.

With its growing popularity, vibrant fanfare, and top-class execution, KCL is well on its way to becoming Kerala’s very own cricketing festival - one that fans across the state will look forward to every year.

Toonz team participate in Animation and More Summit

P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group, and Anish Narayanakutty, Director, Content Sales & Distribution, represented Toonz at the Animation & More Summit and ANN Awards 2025, organized by AnimationXpress and held at Nesco, Mumbai.

At the summit, Jayakumar participated in a high-profile panel discussion titled “Addressing the Elephant in the Room”. The session, moderated by Anil NM Wanvari, Founder, Chairman and Editor in Chief of AnimationXpress, brought together leading voices from the Indian animation industry including Roshan Ingole (Studio56 Animation), Milind D. Shinde (88 Pictures), Prabhakar Sambandan (Saffronic India), and Tejonidhi Bhandare (Reliance Animation).

The panel went beyond celebrating the growth of Indian animation and addressed the turbulence in the global content market, marked by the liquidation and closure of reputed studios such as Cyber Group Studios, Jellyfish Pictures, and Mikros Animation.

In his remarks, Jayakumar stressed resilience, adaptability, and collaboration as key to navigating industry uncertainties. He highlighted how Indian studios, with their proven creative strength, technical expertise, and cost-effective innovation, are well positioned to assume a greater role on the global stage. His insights emphasized the importance of embracing new opportunities, experimenting with production models, and strengthening partnerships across geographies to ensure long term growth.

Meanwhile, Anish Narayanakutty engaged with leading players across the Indian animation industry, building connections and exploring opportunities for content distribution and strategic alliances.

Toonz Wins Big at ANN Awards 2025 with Creepy Candy and CID Squad

We are delighted to announce that Toonz Media Group made a remarkable mark at the prestigious ANN Awards 2025, winning multiple honors for our original shows Creepy Candy and CID Squad.
Creepy Candy bagged the award for Best 2D Animated Digital Series in the Digital OTT category. A co-production between Toonz Media Group and Leadbelly Productions, Creepy Candy is a 26-episode series of 4-minute shorts designed for kids aged 4 to 12. Set in a spooky old library, the story follows a bag of Halloween candies that mysteriously springs to life and embarks on hilarious, creepy adventures guided by a mischievous spirit - all while trying to avoid the wicked librarian determined to eat them. Created by Alan Summa, award-winning creator and founding president of Leadbelly Productions, and brought to life by the Toonz team, the show’s quirky characters and imaginative storytelling have struck a chord with young audiences worldwide.
Adding to the celebrations, CID Squad also emerged as a major winner, sweeping multiple honors including Best Animated 2D Series, Best Screenplay, and Best Showrunner. These awards highlight not only the show’s engaging narrative and strong creative execution but also the talent and hard work of the Toonz team behind it.
These recognitions stand as proud milestones for Toonz, reinforcing our commitment to creating original, high-quality content that inspires, entertains, and continues to push the boundaries of storytelling on a global stage.
A wholehearted appreciation to all the team members who worked behind both shows. This remarkable win is the result of our collective effort and teamwork

P Jayakumar attends BIDC, Thailand

At the Bangkok International Digital Content Festival 2025 (BIDC), our CEO P. Jayakumar represented Toonz Media Group in a special showcase session with Auchara Kijkanjanas, Founder of Big Brain Studio, where we presented our CGI series Hey Buddy. The exchange also spotlighted the exciting possibilities of India–Thailand co-productions, which have the potential to unlock new creative synergies and opportunities for the industry.

BIDC was a powerful reminder of the region’s creative strength—showcasing bold IPs, innovative formats, and inspiring voices shaping the future of digital content. Asia is not just a fast-growing market; it is a global powerhouse of talent, collaboration, and innovation.

Zoonicorn Expands Its Footprint: Hong Kong Television Acquires Seasons 2 & 3

We are excited to announce that Toonz Media Group has successfully closed yet another significant deal for Zoonicorn. Hong Kong Television has acquired the exclusive Pay TV rights for Zoonicorn Season 2 and Season 3, building on the successful run of Season 1 on their channel.

 With its unique storytelling, lovable characters, and universal appeal, Zoonicorn continues to capture the imagination of children and families worldwide.

This new deal with Hong Kong Television is a testament of the ever-growing popularity of Zoonicorn across Asia. It reflects the confidence of our partners in the strength of Toonz’s content and our ability to deliver engaging, high-quality entertainment for global audiences.

As we expand the reach of Zoonicorn, this milestone stands as a proud testament to the creative and commercial success of the property, further strengthening Toonz’s position in the global kids’ entertainment space.