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'Tom and Jerry' Singapore 'Tom and Jerry' Singapore

Warner Bros. Discovery has revealed an upcoming Southeast Asia-localized version of Tom and Jerry, along with a brief teaser showing what the updated characters will look like in the new series.

The seven, three-minute shorts will feature the cartoon cat and mouse playing their endless game among the most recognizable landmarks of Singapore. The series is the first localized version of the IP, but it’s worth noting that just last year WBD released a series of cutesy T&J shorts in Japan. The difference is that while the Japanese shorts were done in a distinctive kawaii/anime style, they were still set in a traditional Tom and Jerry universe. For the new Singapore episodes, the studio went to great lengths to create distinctly Singaporean scenarios. That has never been done before outside of the U.S.

Here’s what we know about the new Singapore-set series.

  • The initial order for the show is a modest seven episodes of three minutes each. They are being produced locally in Asia, although WBD hasn’t clarified by whom, and a pilot episode is set to debut in August. The show will air on Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific and stream on HBO Go in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong later this year, before later rolling out internationally.
  • According to a WBD release, the studio will also launch Tom and Jerry-branded consumer products later this year.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids for Southeast Asia Christopher Ho said: “This series brings back the iconic music and classic animation style from the Hanna-Barbera 1950s era – but with a modern Singaporean twist. With distinctive landmarks, backdrops, and atmosphere, the Asian city-state is the ideal location to create a humorous addition to the Tom and Jerry canon. Working with homegrown creative talent in Singapore and across Asia, this project grows the much-loved franchise in the region and beyond.”
  • Vishnu Athreya, senior VP of series, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, added: “Tom and Jerry are two of our most universally loved characters, proving that laughs can translate to any audience. The fans in Asia have long embraced these characters and it’s great to finally give them a version to call their own.”