Axis Studios Veterans Launch Zaratan, a New Adult Animation Production Company

The adult animation landscape continues to expand with the launch of Zaratan, a new production company focused on adult-oriented animation. Founded by the experienced duo Andrew Pearce and Paula Bird, both former leaders at the acclaimed Axis Studios, Zaratan aims to tap into the ever-growing appetite for animation geared towards older audiences.

Based in Glasgow, U.K., Zaratan’s genesis stems from Pearce and Bird’s shared passion for animation and genre storytelling. As Pearce stated, “The genesis came from our love of animation and genre storytelling. Older-skewing animation is a constant discovery.” This sentiment highlights the founders’ dedication to exploring the diverse and evolving world of adult animation.

Pearce and Bird bring with them a wealth of experience from their time at Axis Studios, known for its work on projects like Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda, Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots, and the upcoming Animal Farm adaptation directed by Andy Serkis. Zaratan also benefits from the established animation infrastructure built over a decade of operation at Axis Studios.

Adding further strength to this new venture is a first-look service deal with Cinesite, the studio behind films such as Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and Hitpig!. This partnership will provide Zaratan with additional resources and expertise in the animation production pipeline.

Adam Nagle, CEO of Aniventure, the studio behind Animal Farm, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “The future of older-skewing animation is extremely exciting, we want to work with the most talented people in the space. Zaratan was a perfect opportunity for us.” This highlights the industry’s recognition of the potential and talent behind this new production house.

Zaratan enters the market with a dual approach, functioning both as a production partner for existing projects and as a developer of its own original intellectual property (IP). This strategy positions the company to contribute to the adult animation scene in various capacities, promising a fresh wave of content for discerning viewers.

With the increasing popularity and critical acclaim of adult animated series and films, the launch of Zaratan by industry veterans Pearce and Bird marks an exciting development. Their combined experience and vision, coupled with strategic partnerships, suggest that Zaratan is poised to become a significant player in the realm of animation for mature audiences. Animation fans can undoubtedly look forward to the innovative and compelling projects that Zaratan will bring to the screen in the coming years.