HBO Max Wins Auction For ‘Chinos,’ An Animated Series From Eddie Huang

HBO Max is emerging as a major destination for animation. Its latest acquisition is Chinos, an original animated series idea from celebrity chef and media personality Eddie Huang, which it won in an auction.

The streaming platform has committed to a put pilot for the series, which is described as an “exploration of the subcultures in Los Angeles through the Asian-American experience.” Raf Martinez, Huang’s producing partner under their Color Correct banner, will executive produce, as will comics artist and designer Bernard Chang and tattoo artist Dr. Woo. Chang is also art director on the project.

Huang commented on the show to Deadline, which broke the news of the deal:

Chinos is a show that will shatter the model minority myth and hopefully usher in a generation of Asian-American storytellers that do not feel beholden to the expectations of others. It is a project that seeks to shine a light on our singularity as individuals and the shared problems that bring us together as a community. Even my mom approved of this deal, excited to do this with HBO Max.

Martinez added: “The central principle upon which Color Correct was founded is to identify and nurture the next generation of diverse storytellers, foster their ideas, and lead the charge from the margins to the mainstream. We are thrilled to partner and continue our mission with HBO Max.”

Huang has had a colorful self-mythologizing career, working variously as an attorney, drug dealer, stand-up comic, restaurateur, and chef. His 2013 autobiography Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir covered his rise as a food celebrity in New York City, as well as his identity as an Asian-American.

The book inspired the live-action ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat; Huang executive-produced the show and narrated the first season. He also directed the forthcoming feature Boogie, and will direct Elephant Mountain in Taiwan, based on his original idea.