Disney Dragon Striker First Look
- Disney EMEA is producing "Dragon Striker," a new series from Chouette Studios that prominently features anime influences.
- Sylvain Dos Santos,co-creator and producer,emphasized that Chouette Studios,with its 200 artists,was established by individuals who admire Japanese animation and comics.
- “Dragon Striker,” announced in 2022, embodies this vision.
“Dragon Striker,” the new anime-influenced series from Disney EMEA and Chouette Studios, is set to revolutionize sports animation. this exciting series, revealed at the Annecy Animation festival, combines soccer with magical abilities in a fast-paced, combat-driven competition, offering a fresh perspective on the genre.teams of five players will use powers like time-altering fields and spectral dragons to score. The production team,inspired by Japanese animation pipelines,has recruited composer Kevin penkin and designed custom stadiums reflecting each team’s identity. News Directory 3 brings you this exclusive first look at the vibrant world, featuring diverse characters and high-stakes action, influenced by titles such as “The Vision of Escaflowne” and “Final Fantasy IX.” Discover what’s next for this compelling series.
Disney’s “Dragon Striker” Series: Anime Meets Combat Soccer
Disney EMEA is producing “Dragon Striker,” a new series from Chouette Studios that prominently features anime influences. The creative team discussed the show’s inspiration at the Annecy Animation Festival’s MIFA Studio Focus session.
Sylvain Dos Santos,co-creator and producer,emphasized that Chouette Studios,with its 200 artists,was established by individuals who admire Japanese animation and comics. Their goal: to create content in a similar style. The studio’s focus on anime is evident in their work.
“Dragon Striker,” announced in 2022, embodies this vision. The 2D animated series, comprising 22 episodes at 20 minutes each, centers on a unique, combat-driven version of soccer. Teams of five use magical abilities—time-altering fields, clones, and spectral dragons—to outscore opponents.
The series unfolds in a world where this sport is a national obsession, played in custom stadiums that reflect each team’s identity. Much of the action takes place at a school dedicated to training young athletes. The main characters are Ssyelle, a skilled goalkeeper, and Key, a striker unaware of his latent abilities connected to his late, star-player mother.
Footage from the first episode showcased the fast-paced action, mirroring visual cues common in action anime. This includes character stylization, timing, rhythm, and on-screen effects. The team also revealed that their production process draws inspiration from the Japanese animation pipeline, adapted for use in France.
Charles Lefebvre, co-creator and co-founder of Chouette, noted that some team members previously worked on anime such as “My Hero Academia” and “One Piece.” He highlighted the animator’s autonomy over their shots.
The series also features Kevin Penkin, known for his work on “made in abyss,” as its composer. Penkin recorded the music for “Dragon Striker” with an 80-person orchestra in Japan.
Dos Santos explained that the show evolved from an Arthurian-themed rugby concept called “Ovalon.” Gerardo Orlando, a producer from Disney EMEA, said they transitioned from rugby to soccer and decided to create their own mythology.
Lefebvre cited “The Vision of Escaflowne,” “Final Fantasy IX,” and “Chrono Trigger” as influences on the fictional setting of Kal Asterock, alongside real-world cities like Rio de Janeiro. Concept artist Claire Sun emphasized the integration of writing and visuals, aiming to “show and don’t tell” through detailed art.
Writer Paul McKeown highlighted the character arcs driven by the sport’s intensity. He noted that while it’s a kid’s show, they’ve pushed boundaries. Dos santos joked that they have enough material for “15 seasons of writing!”
The diverse cast features costumes blending ancient and modern streetwear, along with varied hairstyles, creating a vibrant world. The team’s enthusiasm for these details has already inspired fan art, including embroidery, dolls, and stickers.
What’s next
With a strong foundation and clear vision, “Dragon Striker” aims to deliver a fresh take on sports animation, blending familiar anime tropes with original storytelling. The series promises a dynamic world filled with compelling characters and high-stakes action.