Press
Lí Ban: First Celtic-Inspired Irish Language Anime premieres on Cúla4
Broadcasts Tuesday 15th October
08.10.24
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Three Hundred Years of Adventure in the Celtic Seas
Paper Owl Films’ fast-paced Celtic-inspired adventure anime series Lí Ban is launching on Cúla4 in Ireland and S4C in the Welsh language on 15th October 2024. For the first time, these old and nearly forgotten Celtic stories have been brought to life in an anime style produced in the Irish language.
The 13 x 11-minute episodes for children aged 7-9, but appealing to the whole family, will air on the dedicated children’s channel Cúla4 on October 15th at 4.20pm. All episodes will be available on the Cúla4 Player from Tuesday 15th. The series features a cast including Sadbh Breathnach as the voice of Lí Ban and Jude Petticrew as the voice of Con. Lí Ban was co-created by Gráinne McGuinness and Máire Zepf, who also wrote the series.
Fantastical heroes, legendary villains and a reality that bends around Celtic magic are at the heart of the adventures of sassy 12-year-old Lí Ban. The tales are some of the wildest ever passed down the Celtic generations. With origins as old as the lands and shores that shaped it, each incredible episode brings some answers, but even more questions, as Lí Ban’s quest unfolds.
Transformed into a Mermaid and a Sea Otter, Lí Ban and her faithful dog Con spend centuries scouring the watery kingdoms of Celtic legend meeting gods, monsters, giants and wily humans as they search for answers.
Who destroyed her homeplace? Why was she transformed? And who is she really? Theirs is an immortal quest through the heart of an ancient Celtic universe into the stories of a time and place (almost) forgotten.
Lí Ban seeks answers. Her quest leads her to Manannán the sea god but as answers materialise more questions arise. Hers is a journey from childish rebel to courageous adolescent through the growth that shows her what the real meaning of family is and what it means to be Lí Ban.
Gráinne McGuinness, Creative Director at Paper Owl Films comments: “Tapping into the international popularity of anime and fantasy storytelling, this is a true coming of age tale, perfect for the 7-9 year old audience facing the end of childhood and beginnings of adolescence. Lí Ban’s ancient Celtic story will resonate with children worldwide – her struggle to find out who she is in the world is as real for today’s audience as it was for her centuries ago.”
Siobhán Ní Bhrádaigh, Commissioning Editor for Young People at Cúla4 & TG4 wished to congratulate Paper Owl and to all involved with Lí Ban. “We are delighted to introduce this beautiful Celtic-inspired series to our Cúla4 audience this coming Autumn. There’s no doubt that our viewers will be captivated by Lí Ban and Con as they dive into timeless tales and navigate the mysteries of the Celtic seas.”
Robin Gladman, Head of Acquisitions at Aardman says: “We’re delighted to be distributing Lí Ban for Paper Owl, and look forward to introducing the world to this timeless Celtic story that has been so brilliantly developed for global audiences today.”
Lí Ban was commissioned by TG4 and S4C has been made with funding support from Coimisiún na Meán and Northern Ireland Screen’s Screen Fund and Irish Language Broadcast Fund. The series is distributed internationally by Aardman.
Lí Ban can be viewed live on the Cúla4 channel and on the Cúla4 player – cula4.com.
More details on Cúla4 social media channels.