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 global publishing powerhouse, is diving into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) to bring some of its popular book franchises to life. The publisher has partnered with Toonstar, an AI animation studio, to transform these literary works into digital shows. This innovative collaboration marks a significant step in the evolving landscape of storytelling, where the lines between books, animation, and digital media are increasingly blurred.
The first project under this partnership will be an adaptation of Lisa Greenwaldās "Friendship List" series, a beloved children's book franchise. Alongside the animated series, a graphic novel will also be released, further expanding the reach of the characters and stories. This move by HarperCollins and Toonstar highlights a growing trend in the entertainment industry, where AI-driven animation is being leveraged to create content that resonates with audiences across multiple platforms.
Toonstar, the AI animation studio behind this project, has been relatively under the radar despite its early buzz for simplifying complex animation pipelines using AI. The studio's most notable achievement so far is producing the "StEvEn and Parker" YouTube series, which boasts 3.38 million subscribers and episodes that occasionally reach around a million views. However, this series has not garnered much attention from animation enthusiasts, and some find its style reminiscent of a subpar "South Park" clone.
Despite these initial reservations, Toonstar's co-founder, John Attanasio, has spoken positively about the studio's capabilities. In an interview with The New York Times last year, Attanasio explained that by leveraging AI technology, Toonstar can produce full episodes 80% faster and 90% cheaper than traditional industry norms. The studio employs AI not only for animation but also for dubbing dialogues for international audiences and even in the storyline development process.
Toonstar initially positioned itself as an animation studio focused on Web3 and NFTs, reflecting the broader fascination with blockchain technologies at the time. However, these elements seem virtually absent from the company's current presence. One of its early projects, "Space Junk," was put on hold for various reasons, according to a representative. The possibility of resurrecting 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.
Despite the challenges and pivots, Toonstar remains committed to its mission of revolutionizing the animation industry through AI. The collaboration with HarperCollins serves as a testament to the studio's potential, showcasing its ability to bring beloved characters to life in a digital format while maintaining fidelity to the original vision of the author.
"We're honored to bring Friendship List to life as an animated series," Attanasio stated in a press release. "Our artist-centered approach ensures these beloved characters and stories stay true to the author's vision, while our Ink & Pixel production technology enables fast, high-quality production at scale, which unlocks the ability to meet audiences where they are."
This partnership between HarperCollins and Toonstar represents a bold move into the future of storytelling, where AI-driven animation bridges the gap between literature and digital media. As the "Friendship List" series takes center stage, fans of the books can look forward to a new way to experience their favorite stories, while animation enthusiasts may find themselves reevaluating Toonstar's capabilities. Only time will tell if this collaboration will pave the way for a new era of AI-driven content or if it will remain a niche experiment in the world of entertainment.
