Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Toronto, Vancouver. 13 April 2015. The producers, Moody Street Kids, Vision Animation and Executive Producer Gwen Stefani are creating the fun, colorful, musical world of Kuu-Kuu Harajuku (working title), a new television series commissioned by Network Ten with investment funding from Film Victoria (Melbourne, Australia) and Malaysia. DHX Media, a key player internationally in the creation of content for families and children, will handle the worldwide distribution of the animated series (26 x 22’), which is inspired by Gwen Stefani and the Harajuku Girls.

In a separate deal, Moody Street and Vision Animation have signed up Mattel as global master toy licensee.

Grammy winning musician Gwen Stefani has written a number of songs about her life-long admiration for the street fashion and youth culture found in the renowned Harajuku neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan. It was while writing her first solo album that Stefani created the original Harajuku Girl characters as a celebration of the creativity and individualism she saw and loved in the Harajuku district.

In Kuu-Kuu Harajuku, the protagonists echo the unique style and magic of the original Harajuku Girls with animated Love, Angel, Music and Baby forming HJ5, a band driven by their inspirational leader, G. The girls are super talented but every gig is interrupted by a fantasy driven wild-card before the first note is ever played. Angry aliens, NoFun politicians, invading creatures and cute monster pets have foiled concert attempts – but G and her friends never give up. As a result, the series is a collision of cultures, a kaleidoscope of music, fashion and style.

Says Stefani: “Working on Kuu-Kuu Harajuku has been a dream come true!  It’s been incredible to see the characters and the world they live in come to life. The artwork is so beautiful and the whole series turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait for everyone to see it! After all this time, seeing the Harajuku Girls come to life in an animated series has been an amazing experience.”

Gillian Carr, MSK, Managing Director, says: “Developing Kuu-Kuu Harajuku with such a talented group of people from around the world has been an absolute joy; the team are loving every minute of it. Gwen’s love of all things Harajuku is contagious!”

Huoi Seong Low, CEO of Vision Animation, states: “Everything about the project has been magical, from the pitch to Gwen Stefani through the development of the characters, the environments, the stories and of course, the animation itself.  Everyone on the project is super inspired and that energy is translating well into what you will see on screen!  We have never been happier with a show!”

Cherrie Bottger, Head of Children's Programming for Network Ten, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have this entertaining, colorful series, Kuu-Kuu Harajuku join our kids’ block on our digital channel ELEVEN”.

Josh Scherba, SVP Distribution at DHX Media, adds: “Kuu-Kuu Harajuku is fun, energetic and unique, and the inspiration for the series draws from a range of cultures as well as Gwen’s own distinct visual imagination. Our team is excited to be distributing this completely original series around the world.”

Doug Wadleigh, SVP and GM at Mattel, says: “The unique Kawaii world of characters paired with the engaging musical narrative of Kuu-Kuu Harajuku has inspired us to create a truly distinguished line of upcoming dolls and toys.  We’re very excited to be a part of the global creative team that brings this new franchise to life.”

For more information, please contact:

Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About DHX Media

DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment, is recognized globally for such brands as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, and the multi-award winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media Ltd. is the owner of Family Channel, the most-viewed children's television channel in Canada, as well as the channels Disney Junior (English & French) and Disney XD in Canada. The Company markets and distributes its library of more than 11,000 half-hours of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media Ltd.'s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media Ltd. has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols DHX.A and DHX.B.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX Media including the completion of production, the timing of a television debut and the ability of the Company to place the series in other markets. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risks factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's short form prospectuses dated November 14, 2013 and December 31, 2013, Annual Information Form, and annual Management Discussion and Analysis. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.