AI Meets Animation: Chronicle Studios and The Hive Studio Partner to Scale YouTube Originals

Posted on by

In a move that signals a major shift in how digital-first animation is distributed and monetized, Chronicle Studios and the Oscar-nominated The Hive Studio (Letter to a Pig) have announced a strategic YouTube partnership.

The deal focuses on two high-profile animated series: the goth musical comedy “The Vampair” and the irreverent teen comedy “The Normal MFer.” By combining world-class creative storytelling with cutting-edge AI audience intelligence, the partnership aims to break through the noise of a crowded digital landscape.

The Power of Agentic AI in Media

At the heart of this partnership is Chronicle Studios’ AI-driven social content intelligence platform. Unlike traditional marketing, this system uses multimodal AI agents to autonomously manage the entire content lifecycle.

Key capabilities of the platform include:

  • Audience Discovery: Identifying and matching niche content with high-value global viewers.

  • Content Optimization: Real-time adjustments to titles, thumbnails, and metadata to maximize reach.

  • Monetization: Automating revenue streams across social platforms without heavy ad spend.

“Chronicle’s technology is exactly the innovative solution we need to grow our audience and expand the reach of our series globally,” said Amit Russell Gicelter, Founder and CEO of The Hive Studio.

The Lineup: Goths, Vampires, and “Terminally Online” Teens

The partnership kicks off with two distinct IPs that have already built significant momentum in the indie animation scene.

The Vampair

  • Creator: Daria Cohen (Hazbin Hotel)

  • The Premise: A cult-favorite musical series following the vampire Duke (voiced by Aurelio Voltaire) and his teenage friend Missi (Lauren Jennings).

  • The Stats: Its first video, “The Night,” has amassed over 60 million views. A recent Kickstarter campaign raised over $270,000 to fund a full pilot, which is set to premiere in late August 2026.

  • The Vibe: Dark, charming, and musically driven, featuring new tracks by Voltaire and Paul Shapera.

The Normal MFer

  • Creators: Alex Orrelle (Space Jam: A New Legacy) and Joe McNaney (CC0 Studios)

  • The Premise: A satirical look at a “terminally online” man struggling to leave home. He faces modern hurdles like web influencers, social anxiety, and pets that are secretly harvesting his data for an AI startup.

  • The Vibe: An irreverent, sharp-witted commentary on young adult life and the digital age.

A Proven Track Record

This isn’t Chronicle Studios’ first foray into rapid growth. Last year, the company partnered with animator Gabe Hordos (How to Train Your Dragon) for his series The Old Knight.

The results were staggering: | Metric | Before AI Intervention | One Month After | | :— | :— | :— | | Monthly Impressions | 500,000 | 6,000,000+ | | New Views | — | 2,000,000 | | Watch Hours | — | 41,000+ | | Brand Revenue | Baseline | 100x Increase |

The Vision: Creator Freedom

For creators like Daria Cohen, the partnership represents more than just numbers; it’s about protection. “In a world where creators get their stories constantly tampered with… I’m happy I was able to find a studio that supports my work and allows me the freedom to tell my story the way I intended,” Cohen stated.

By automating the “business” of YouTube, Chronicle Studios allows artists to focus entirely on the craft while the AI handles the heavy lifting of finding the fans.