The locally cultivated anime franchise, SOLEMN VOW, has forged several partnerships at the Sugbo Entertainment Expo (SEE Cebu). Conceived as an anime series with a strategic plan for spinoffs into manga, games, music, merchandise, and more, this creative venture has established collaborations with prominent international and local entities.
SEE Cebu, an annual conference uniting various stakeholders in the entertainment industry, brought together government agencies, private enterprises, international partners, and local professionals over a 2-day event, fostering discussions and ideas for creative collaborations. SOLEMN VOW’s announcement not only showcased the potential of Cebu but also highlighted its capability to create world-class creative intellectual properties.
At the core of SOLEMN VOW is a 13-episode anime series set in a fictional universe of magic and mystical creatures, offering an action-packed adventure centered around a legendary hero family. Lawrence Panganiban, the creator of this multimedia franchise, expresses, “SOLEMN VOW is a story inspired by the myths and legends of the Philippines. It will be narrated through the popular Japanese art form – anime, designed for global audiences. Our dream is to bring the best of Philippine creativity to the world, and we are eager to collaborate with the best partners to fulfill this vision.”
The production team of SOLEMN VOW includes Cebu-based studio Enigma Kai, Manila-based media company Fire and Ice, and Singapore-based companies Anito Studios and Silver Media. Animation giant Toei Animation Philippines will manage production, and veteran music producer Alexander Lim will consult on the opening theme for the series.
Liza Dino, CEO of Fire and Ice, a veteran advocate for the Philippine media industry and international co-productions, explains her involvement as a producer, stating, “I’m excited to join the esteemed team behind SOLEMN VOW. This franchise is poised to take the animation world by storm. With a rich history of animation talent in the service industry, it’s time we showcase our homegrown content on a global scale.”
Despite being unable to attend the event, Mr. Nestor Palabrica, Vice President of Toei Animation Philippines, delivered a video address, expressing their involvement in handling the in-betweens and digital ink and paint for SOLEMN VOW.
With decades of music production experience, Mr. Alexander Lim, also the head of A&R for Warner Music Philippines, shares his enthusiasm as a key consultant for the opening song of SOLEMN VOW, anticipating an exciting collaboration.
SOLEMN VOW is currently in advanced development, with a brand new teaser set to be unveiled at Content Tokyo 2024.
