31 December 2012 (2012-12-31)[1] – 23 December 2013 (2013-12-23)
Awesome Magical Tales (also known as Teenage Fairytale Dropouts in the first season) is an animated series created by Adolfo Martinez Vara and José C. Garcia de Letona.[2][3] Inspired by the characters from the 2003 Mexican animated film, Magos y Gigantes,[4] the series was created and produced by Ánima Estudios and co-produced with SLR Productions, Home Plate Entertainment, Telegael Teoranta and Agogo Media. It made its first introduction on Seven Network in Australia on 31 December 2012. In Mexico, the show premiered on digital and streaming platforms, dubbed as Generación Fairytale.[5][6]
The show later premiered in the U.S. on the Hub Network on 31 May 2014.[7][8][9]
Ánima Estudios has launched an official YouTube channel for the Spanish-language version of the show on 7 May 2015,[10] with an English-language version being launched a week later on 14 May 2015.[11]
The show has been recently acquired by Bejuba! Entertainment for new distribution rights and was renamed Awesome Magical Tales. The show has also been renewed for a second season by Australia's ABC Me after successful ratings during its domestic broadcast.[12]
Synopsis
Set in a fairy tale-like setting, three friends, Jeremiah, the son of the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk, Trafalgar, the nephew of Merlin the Wizard, a wingless fairy named Fury, the daughter of Tooth Fairy, live through a tough life as teenagers and are determined to be themselves, despite their parents' whim and their fairy tale origins.
On 28 September 2011, Ánima Estudios has announced an international partnership with SLR Productions, Home Plate Entertainment, Telegael Teoranta and Agogo Media and have green-lighted the show.[3][14] "We’re thrilled to have such extraordinary partners on board for this series. I think what has really brought us together is a love for our quirky main characters," said Jose Carlos Garcia de Letona, Ánima Estudios’ executive VP.[3] "Aussie kids will connect with the series – it is fun and quirky. It is a fresh spin on timeless classic characters.", said Suzanne Ryan, CEO of SLR Productions.[15] According to Fernando de Fuentes, the series' producer, he stated that while the series originated in Mexico, it is designed for an English-language audience.[16]
This show is based on the character profiles from Ánima Estudios' first film, Wizards and Giants, according to series' creator José C. García de Letona.[17] "History comes, somehow, [from] our first movie, Wizards and Giants, but already very distantly," he said. "It follows some of the references and character profiles, but some things change radically."[17] He also said that 70% of the show's production is taken place in Mexico, while the rest is taken place in other countries.[17]
On 7 April 2013, Canadian entertainment company CCI Entertainment has acquired distribution rights to the series[18] and has landed new sales on 9 December 2013.[19]
On 16 October 2017, Bejuba! Entertainment has acquired new distribution rights to the series, being renamed as Awesome Magical Tales. The show has also been renewed by ABC Me for a new season. However the second season is currently in Development hell[12]
U.S. broadcasting
On 28 April 2014, the Hub Network acquired the U.S. rights to the show and was broadcast on 31 May 2014.[7][8][9] This marked a milestone for the Mexican animation industry, as the first time a major U.S. cable network transmitted a Latin American-produced animated television production for its line-up, as the series was primarily produced in Mexico.[8] According to the Ánima Estudios executives, it nearly took nearly two years for the show to enter the U.S. market.[16] This also marked history for the studio, as this was the first time they entered a major U.S. market.[16] After Hub's relaunching as Discovery Family, the show has been pulled from its air lineup.
Reception
The show has received favorable reviews.[20][21] Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the show 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Teenage Fairytale Dropouts delivers some really admirable messages through three teen characters who are floundering their way through growing up. Sure, it has fun with the fact that Fury's still waiting to "develop" her wings and Jeremiah's small stature is almost comical given his genetic giantism, but the ultimately none of these issues puts a dent in the teens' solid self-esteem. What's more, while each story puts the characters in a rebellious situation of some kind (borrowing the family's golden goose without permission or misusing magic, for instance), there's always an obvious consequence and some positive lesson to be learned from the experience."[21]
