Gingo Animation is an American animation studio owned and operated by NBCUniversal through Gingo. Located in Buffalo, New York, the studio primarily produces and develops animated programs and shorts for Gingo, but has also produced programs for its preschool programming block Gingo Junior and night–time block NightHouse, as well as sibling cable channels NBC, USA Network and Universal Kids, and the streaming service Peacock.
The actual animation production is done overseas, mostly Wang Film Productions, Saerom Animation and Rough Draft Studios, with pre-production and post-production being United States-based.
History[]
Gingo Animation originated as a television animation division of Multimedia Entertainment that focused on producing original programming for Gingo, including The Toon Hour, Gabriel Garza, Mickey the Wicked, Metro Cone and The Whackems. Following the merger of Gingo's parent, Multimedia with MCA Inc., Multimedia Entertainment was folded into Universal Television, while the Gingo studio was integrated as a separate unit within Universal Cartoon Studios, later known as Universal Television Animation. Animators at Gingo worked on projects based at the Gingo studio, but also assisted in projects based in the Universal Feature Animation studio. Now In 2021, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Animation Deals With Gingo Animation.
More coming soon!
List of Gingo Animation productions[]
TV series[]
Gingo[]
| Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Years | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | ||||
| The Toon Hour | Michael Wildshill | 1988–2005; 2016–present |
Hanna-Barbera (seasons 1–4) | Only Gingo series from the 1980s |
| 1990s | ||||
| Gabriel Garza | Geo G. (d): Geo G., Michael Wildshill, Audel LaRoque, and Steve Samono |
1991–2002; 2018–present |
Glass Ball Productions Hanna-Barbera (season 1) Klasky Csupo (seasons 2–3) Film Roman (seasons 4–present) |
|
| Mickey the Wicked | Brad Bird | 1992–1994 | Silver Pictures Television Lorimar Television (season 1) |
First and only Gingo/Warner Bros. series. |
| Ray Eilo | Mala Miles (d): Mike Milo and Michael Wildshill |
1994–2000 | Bear Bones Productions | |
| BJ and Wally | Geo G. | 1994–1997 | Glass Ball Productions | |
| Metro Cone | Samuel Merritt | 1994–1999 | ||
| The Whackems | Lilli Schreiber | 1995–2008 | MagicolaLilli, Inc. | |
| Hatty | Steve Samono | 1996–2002; 2020 |
||
| Funky Fu! Pop Star Fighter | Arlo-Avocha Vernon | 1997–2004 | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | |
| The Home Sweet Home of Bluis & Bubblina | Wilton Lawrence | 1997–2000 | ||
| Puyo Puyo | Kazunari Yonemitsu (original characters) (d): Michael Wildshill |
1999–2000 | Compile | First Gingo Animation series to be based on a video game. |
| 2000s | ||||
| Zina Supermoon | Geo G. (d): Geo G., Steve Oedekerk and Sarah Silverman |
2000–2009 | Glass Ball Productions O Entertainment |
|
| The World of Danny | 2000–2007 | |||
| Cookie and Cream | FromSoftware (original VG series) (d): Peter Hastings |
2001–2006 | FromSoftware Nelvana |
Second Gingo Animation series to be based on a video game. |
| Jenny Zoom | Samuel Merritt | 2001–2004 | Third Gingo Animation series to be based on a video game. | |
| Boardwalk Friends | 2001–2010 | |||
| Dustin Dog Kid | 2002–2012 | |||
| The Supernova Spies | Dave Madson | 2002–2005 | ||
| Kururin: The Mischief Flying Hero | 2002–2008 | Fourth Gingo Animation series to be based on a video game. | ||
| Planetokio | Osamu Sato (original characters) (d): Bret Haaland and Mike Moon |
2002–2003 | OutSide Directors Company Asmik Ace Entertainment Universal Digital Images |
Fifth Gingo Animation series to be based on a video game. |
| Foe Paws | Chris Savino | 2003–2007 | ||
| Critter Mockers | Michael Wildshill | 2003–2009 | ||
| The Pandemoniums | Henri Dosclz | 2004–2011 | ||
| Limo Dude | Arlo-Avocha Vernon | 2004–2006 | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | |
| Chrysocolla & Sam | Michael Wildshill (original characters) (d): Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle |
2005–2008 | Sixth Gingo Animation series to be based on a video game. | |
| Worldwide Animals | Dave Madson | Nelvana | ||
| Destiny of the Super Glasses | Peter Hannan | 2006–2009 | Peter Hannan Productions | |
| FusionMania | Geo G. | 2008–2015 | Glass Ball Productions | |
| 2010s | ||||
| Post-Elementary Chronicles | Doug TenNapel | 2010–2011 | ||
| Kyle + Rosemary | Jun Falkenstein | 2010–2012 | Frederator Studios | Spin-off of "Kyle + Rosemary", a short that was aired as part of Nicktoons' Random! Cartoons. |
| Primate House | Samuel Merritt | 2010–2013 | ||
| Worried Fred | Henri Dosclz | |||
| Road Trip Madness | Dave Madson and Cynthia True | 2011–2014 | ||
| My Dear King Kenneth | Ant Blades | 2012–2014 | Blue-Zoo Animation | |
| Jim-George | Dominick Castro, Alfred Adams, and Laura Craft | 2012–2016 | ||
| The 5 J's in Partnership | William Reiss | 2014–2015 | ||
| Elliot's Guide to Becoming a True Mouse | Arlo-Avocha Vernon | 2014–2019 | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | |
| Twelve Forever | Julia Vickerman | 2016–2019 | Puny Entertainment The Cartel |
Originally a Cartoon Network-rejected pilot. |
| Discovering Evolupia | Michael Wildshill | 2017 | First Gingo Animation original miniseries. | |
| Niz Chicoloco | Geo G. (original characters) | 2018–present | Glass Ball Productions DreamWorks Animation Television |
|
| Antonio and Mr. Wacky Fox | Everett Peck | 2019–present | ||
| 2020s | ||||
| Super Polly | Henri Dosclz | 2020–present | ||
| Upcoming | ||||
| Cubi! | Samuel Merritt | 2020 | First Gingo series to be produced for Peacock. Originally planned to air on Gingo. | |
| The Whackems Return | Lilli Schreiber | MagicolaLilli, Inc. | Premiering on Peacock. | |
| Big Chaos | Arlo-Avocha Vernon | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | ||
| Untitled Gabriel Garza spin-off series | Geo G. | TBA | Glass Ball Productions | Spin-off of Gabriel Garza. |
Universal Kids[]
| Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Years | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard Revamped | Jose Luis Ucha Enriquez and Claudio Biern Lliviria (characters) | 2018–present | BRB Internacional Screen21 RG Animation Studios |
Reboot of Bernard. |
Gingo Junior (preschool shows)[]
| Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Years | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | ||||
| Little Critter | Mercer Mayer (books) | 1997–2005 | Nelvana | |
| 2000s | ||||
| Pochacco's Famous Friends | 2003–2008 | First Gingo series to be spun off from a Sanrio character. | ||
| 2010s | ||||
| David's Friends | 2012–present | |||
Short pilots[]
Successful[]
| Title | Episode | Creator | Year | Co-production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Garza | "The Special Visitor" | Geo G. | 1989 | Hanna-Barbera Double G Productions |
|
| Ray Eilo | "Ray’s Great UPO" | Mala Miles | 1993 | Mala Miles Productions | |
| BJ and Wally | N/A | Geo G. | Hanna-Barbera Double G Productions |
||
| The Whackems | Lilli Schreiber | 1994 | MagicolaLilli, Inc. | ||
| Hatty | "Wise Weasel" | Steve Samono | |||
| Funky Fu | "Meet Tad" | Arlo-Avocha Vernon | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | Re-tooled as Funky Fu! Pop Star Fighter for the series. | |
| Bluis | N/A | Wilton Lawrence | 1996 | Re-tooled as The Home Sweet Home of Bluis & Bubblina for the series. | |
| Jenny Zoom | Samuel Merritt | 1998 | |||
| Puyo Puyo | "One Weird Afternoon" | ||||
| Zina Supermoon | "Maximum Power!" | Geo G. | O Entertainment Glass Ball Productions |
||
| The Critter Mockers | N/A | Michael Wildshill | 1999 | Re-tooled as Critter Mockers for the series. | |
| It's the Pandemoniums! | N/A | Henri Dosclz | 2000 | Re-tooled as The Pandemoniums for the series. | |
| Worldwide Animals | Dave Madson | 2002 | |||
| Limo Dude | "One Big Trip" | Arlo-Avocha Vernon | 2003 | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | |
| FusionMania | N/A | Geo G. | 2004 | Glass Ball Productions | |
| Big Monkey House | Samuel Merritt | 2008 | Re-tooled as Primate House for the series. |
Failed[]
| Title | Creator / Developer | Year | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donny Dino | Michael Wildshill | 1988 | Hanna-Barbera | |
| Melee Girl | Jim Anderson and Gary Hall | 1990 | ||
| Nitroman | Geo G. and Gary Hall | 1994 | Glass Ball Productions | Originally planned spin-off of Gabriel Garza. |
| Pepper Ann | Sue Rose | 1995 | Fido Dido Studio | Failed pilot, but successful for Disney. |
| Violet | Amy McNeill | 1996 | ||
| Chrysocolla: Part-Time Agent | Michael Wildshill | 1997 | Cancelled when Gingo executives found it too violent for children, but later reworked as the more toned-down Chrysocolla & Sam. | |
| Time Squad | Dave Wasson | 1998 | Failed pilot, but successful for Cartoon Network. | |
| Meet Otis | Steve Samono | |||
| The Weekenders | Doug Langdale | Failed pilot, but successful for Disney. | ||
| Monster Freaks | Henri Dosclz | |||
| The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Maxwell Atoms | Failed pilot, but successful for Cartoon Network and became a segment on Grim & Evil before becoming a separate TV series. | ||
| Evil Con Carne | ||||
| Claire Jones | Geo G. | Glass Ball Productions | Originally planned spin-off of Gabriel Garza. A video game was released in March 2000, but the spin-off was never produced for unknown reasons. | |
| Untitled Paper Showdown series | N/A | 1999 | Originally planned TV series based on the video game, a few of it's scenes from the pilot were used as cutscenes for the game. | |
| Kero Kero Keroppi | 2002 | Mike Young Productions | Planned reboot of Keroppi and Friends. | |
| The Life and Times of Juniper Lee | Judd Winick | 2003 | Failed pilot, but successful for Cartoon Network. | |
| Shantae | N/A | 2004 | Nelvana | Planned TV series based on the video game. |
| Amphibia | Matt Braly | 2016 | Failed pilot, but successful for Disney. |
Television films and specials[]
| Title | Release date | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Gabriel Garza Christmas | December 21, 1991 | Glass Ball Productions | |
| Gabriel Goes Hollywood | September 11, 1993 | ||
| Gabriel Gets Spooked | October 21, 1995 | ||
| The Whackems' Christmas | December 14, 1996 | MagicolaLilli, Inc. | |
| Hatty: The Untold Story | September 25, 1998 | ||
| The Home Sweet Home of Bluis & Bubblina: Christmas Time | December 19, 1998 | ||
| The Gabriel Project | April 10, 1999 | Glass Ball Productions | |
| Funky Fu! Pop Star Fighter: A Very Funky Fu Christmas | December 18, 1999 | Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions | |
| Funky Fu! Pop Star Fighter: A Ghost in the Dojo! | October 21, 2000 | ||
| Zina's Spooked Future | October 27, 2001 | Glass Ball Productions O Entertainment |
|
| Hatty's Weasel-tastic Christmas! | November 17, 2001 | ||
| Zina Supermoon: The Christmas Special | December 8, 2001 | Glass Ball Productions O Entertainment |
|
| Cookie and Cream in the Christmas Caper | November 16, 2002 | Nelvana | |
| The Jenny Zoom Christmas Hour | December 21, 2002 | ||
| Planetokio: The Madness Isn't Over | May 17, 2003 | Series finale of Planetokio. | |
| Hatty in the Night of the Living Weasel | October 25, 2003 | ||
| Critter Mockers Save Christmas | December 6, 2003 | ||
| Jenny Zoom: A Conclusion of Confusion | April 3, 2004 | Series finale of Jenny Zoom. | |
| Critter Mockers: Dude, Where's My Critter? | June 15, 2004 | First season finale of Critter Mockers. | |
| Cookie and Cream: Boo, Too Scary for You! | October 23, 2004 | Nelvana | |
| Critter Mockers: A Fuzzy Valentine's Day | February 13, 2005 | Second season finale of Critter Mockers. | |
| The Pandemoniums: Battle Against Time | May 27, 2006 | Third season finale of The Pandemoniums. | |
| Pandemonium Mockers | September 30, 2006 | Featuring characters and elements from both The Pandemoniums and Critter Mockers. | |
| A Critter Mockers Summer Vacation | July 15, 2007 | ||
| Zina in Christmas Madness | December 11, 2008 | Glass Ball Productions O Entertainment |
|
| Zina Supermoon: Home | July 18, 2009 | Series finale of Zina Supermoon. | |
| The Pandemoniums: Thank You | June 21, 2011 | Series finale of The Pandemoniums. |
Direct-to-video films[]
All the films (except Mickey the Wicked Witch of the City) were distributed to home video by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
| Title | Release date | Co-production(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey the Wicked Witch of the City | May 4, 1993 | Warner Bros. Animation Amblin Entertainment |
Only Gingo direct-to-video co-production with Warner Bros. and Amblin. |
| Fighting Royale: Colliding Dimensions – The Premiere Movie | November 25, 2008 | Universal Animation Studios Glass Ball Productions |
Features extended cutscenes from the Colliding Dimensions story mode from the game Fighting Royale 2. |
| Gabriel Garza + Disney Princess: Enchanted Mayhem | June 9, 2020 | Universal 1440 Entertainment Glass Ball Productions Walt Disney Pictures |
First Gingo co-production with Disney since the game DreamMix TV World Fighters. Features the Disney Princesses in their television form from Disney and Glass Ball. |
Theatrical films[]
All the films are theatrically distributed by Universal Pictures.
| Title | Release date | Co-production(s) | Budget | Gross | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatty in the Big City: The Movie | July 2, 1999 | N/A | $48 million | $116.2 million | 60% | 56 |
| Going Francisco | June 29, 2001 | Imagine Entertainment Arlo-Avocha Vernon Productions |
$54 million | $218.9 million | 57% | 51 |
| The Gabriel Garza Movie | July 31, 2002 | Glass Ball Productions | $60 million | $89.8 million | 38% | 44 |
| The Whackems: One Big Movie | April 18, 2003 | MagicolaLilli, Inc. | $39 million | $101.5 million | 49% | 42 |
| Zina and the Vivid Crew | December 17, 2004 | Glass Ball Productions O Entertainment |
$70 million | $293.5 million | 80% | 62 |
| The Pandemoniums Movie | June 26, 2009 | N/A | $68 million | $170.7 million | 78% | 65 |
| FusionMania: The Movie | July 27, 2012 | Glass Ball Productions | $25 million | $93.1 million | 73% | 61 |
| Planetokio | July 2, 2014 | OutSide Directors Company Asmik Ace Entertainment Rainmaker Entertainment |
$82 million | $221.3 million | 54% | 50 |
| Agent Chrysocolla | November 25, 2020 | Illumination | $90 million | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Untitled Gabriel Garza film | TBA | Glass Ball Productions | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
External Links[]
See also[]
- List of programs broadcast by Gingo
- NightHouse Animation
- Multimedia Animation
- Universal Animation Studios
- DreamWorks Animation
- List of animation studios owned by Universal Pictures