AI animation studio Toonstar will turn books into digital shows for HarperCollins
HarperCollins is tapping into AI to bring some of its book franchises to life. Specifically, the publisher is teaming up with Toonstar , an AI animation studio, to turn them into digital shows. The first project will be an adaptation of Lisa Greenwaldās āFriendship Listā series, which will also be joined by a graphic novel. Youād be forgiven for being unaware of Toonstar, a studio that received some buzzy early on for simplifying typically complex animation pipelines with AI, but has mostly remained under the radar. Its biggest claim to fame is producing StEvEn and Parker YouTube series, which has amassed 3.38 million subscribers and sometimes has episodes reaching around a million views. Itās not something Iāve heard animation fans speaking about, though. And honestly, it was tough to sit through a few minutes of its sub- South Park animation. āBy leaning into the [AI] technology, we can make full episodes 80 percent faster and 90 percent cheaper than industry norms,ā Toonstar co-founder John Attanasio, told The New York Times last year . In that same interview, the company revealed that it uses AI across its production, including having it dub dialog for international audiences, as well as working on storylines. Toonstar initially pitched itself as an animation studio leaning into Web3 and NFTs, but those technologies seem virtually absent from the companyās presence today. Space Junk , one of its early series , was āput on hold for a variety of reasons,ā a representative told Engadget. āItās possible weāll
HarperCollins, a leading global publisher, is venturing into the world of digital entertainment by partnering with Toonstar, an AI-driven animation studio. The collaboration aims to transform some of the publisher's popular book franchises into animated digital shows, starting with Lisa Greenwald's "Friendship List" series. This adaptation will also include a graphic novel, expanding the story's reach across multiple media formats.
Toonstar, which has remained relatively under the radar despite its early buzz, specializes in simplifying complex animation production pipelines using AI technology. The studio's most notable work to date is the StEvEn and Parker YouTube series, which boasts 3.38 million subscribers and episodes that occasionally reach a million views. However, this series has not garnered significant attention from animation enthusiasts, and some find its style reminiscent of a subpar South Park parody.
Despite these initial reservations, Toonstar's AI capabilities are undeniable. Co-founder John Attanasio explained to The New York Times last year that the studio can produce full episodes 80% faster and 90% cheaper than traditional industry norms. Toonstar employs AI not only for animation but also for dubbing dialogues for international audiences and even in the storyline development process.
Initially, Toonstar positioned itself as an animation studio heavily invested in Web3 and NFTs. However, these technologies are virtually absent from the company's current operations. One of its early projects, Space Junk, was put on hold for various reasons, as a representative told Engadget. The possibility of reviving the concept in the future was not ruled out. Interestingly, Toonstar's original domain now redirects to a crypto gambling site, a stark contrast to its initial ambitions.
The partnership with HarperCollins marks a significant shift in focus for Toonstar. Attanasio expressed excitement about bringing "Friendship List" to life as an animated series. He emphasized the studio's artist-centered approach, ensuring that the beloved characters and stories remain true to the author's vision. Toonstar's Ink & Pixel production technology enables rapid, high-quality production at scale, allowing the studio to meet the demands of a global audience more efficiently.
This collaboration between HarperCollins and Toonstar represents an innovative approach to storytelling, leveraging AI technology to bring beloved book series to life in a new digital format. While Toonstar's early projects have faced criticism, the potential of AI-driven animation studios to revolutionize the industry cannot be ignored. As the first project with "Friendship List" takes shape, it will be interesting to see how the studio's technology and creative vision come together to create a successful digital show.
