Barangay 143: Nani? A Filipino anime?

This is the best time to unleash the inner otakus in you (if it is not out in the open yet) anime viewers, for the country is going to present its very own anime series – “Barangay 143.” (Photo: Barangay 143/Facebook)

It cannot be denied that one of the things that ruled the Philippine television screens in the 90s are the Japanese animations or anime – which gave the ears of its viewers an auditory brush of what it was like to hear their favorite characters speaking Filipino – well before subtitles and the internet were cool anyway!

But apart from the nostalgia for the older generations and for the build-up of the childhood of today’s youngsters, what more excitement and anticipation can one feel from watching the electronic black box once there is a Filipino anime?

This is the best time to unleash the inner otakus in you (if it is not out in the open yet) anime viewers, for the country is going to present its very own anime series – “Barangay 143.”

Before you mutter and question “Nani? Hontou ni? (What? Really?) “ yes, this is not a drill! The Philippines is going to have its very own anime series, all set in the very land itself.

Enter “Barangay 143” – presenting a Korean guy named Bren T. Park – who wishes to find his father and ends up in the Philippines. What makes the story touch Filipinos is not only its setting in Tondo, Manila but also the fact that it will center on Bren’s journey with basketball – a certified Pinoy-favorite. Also to mention the theme of family, friends, and of course what it is like to be in a barangay with your kapit-bahay.

While this is not the first time for Filipinos to venture into the world of animation – as films in the likes of “Urduja” and “Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia” aired in theaters years ago, “Barangay 143” brands itself as the very first Filipino anime on television. But why?

One of the things that otakus often argue about is the difference of anime from any other form of animation or cartoons.

Merriam-Webster defines anime as “a style of animation originating in Japan.” With this, any other animations that are not associated with Japan just simply cannot be called an anime especially those of Western styles. So what makes “Barangay 143” an anime if it is technically ‘Filipino?’

Well, the upcoming anime series is actually a collaboration of Filipino animators through Philippine-based game developer Synergy88 with Singapore-based media producer August Media Holdings – both of which already known for various partnerships in contents for kids and the youth.

August Media Holdings is behind “George of the Jungle,” while Synergy88 developed games like “Hero Hoopshots” and “Unblock Jeepney.”

Synergy88 also developed “Barangay 143: Street League” – a game that serves as the prequel of the upcoming anime series to be aired by GMA Network this October.

But wait, again, with the collaboration between the Philippines and Singapore, where is the Japanese anime factor?

To answer that lingering question,  according to a report by Japan’s financial newspaper, Nikkei earlier, “Barangay 143” is being produced under the direction and character design by TV Asahi – the Japanese company behind several anime that local Philippine television giants aired including Crayon Shin Chan, Cyborg Kurochan, Doraemon, Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch, Pretty Cure, and Yugi-Oh.

Interestingly, one of the basketball classics in the anime world – Slam Dunk – was also under TV Asahi.

Synergy88 will be the one handling the scripts.

The trailer of “Barangay 143” was released on July 18 evening and as of writing – not even reaching 24 hours – the video has garnered about 542,000 views, 9,300 reactions, 1, 300 comments, and 17,000 shares on Facebook.

It also gave a glimpse of celebrities who will give life to the characters with their voices, namely, Migo Adecer, Julie Anne San Jose, Ruru Madrid, Kelley Day, John Arcilla, Edu Manzano, and Cherie Gil.