Animism (TV series) facts for kids
Animism is a Canadian animated TV show that you can watch on APTN Kids. It was made by Zeroes 2 Heroes. The show mixes exciting First Nations stories and myths with modern urban fantasy ideas.
The idea for Animism started in 2010. That same year, a special online game called Animism: The Sacred Sites was launched. The first season, called Animism: The Gods' Lake, had six episodes and aired in 2013. A second season, Animism: Titan Falls, is currently being planned.
Contents
About the Show
The show started as an alternate reality game (ARG) in the summer of 2010. This game, first called Animism: The Gods' Lake, was meant to get people excited for the TV series. By autumn 2010, the game's website was active and renamed Animism: The Sacred Sites. The ARG officially launched on January 1, 2013, just a few weeks before the TV show began.
Story Setting
The story kicks off in a place called Grind City. Here, a group of environmental activists from Grind City University are trying to stop a local company, Grind City Futures, from harming the environment.
Main Characters
Supernatural Beings
- The Mother: A powerful earth goddess with dark skin. She is voiced by Jo Bates.
- The Wetiko: Also known as Weiko or Wiko, this character guides Chad. Voiced by Mark Oliver.
- The Trickster: Also called Wisakedjak or Nanabush, this playful spirit is voiced by Jason Bryden.
Human Characters
- Melody "Mel" Ravensfall: A 17-year-old girl who becomes a special messenger for the Trickster. She keeps an online journal. Jewel Staite voices her.
- Duane Nation: A brown-haired guy voiced by Jordan Waunch.
- Erin: A freckled girl with red hair and a white streak. Her online name is EekaChik. She is voiced by Nicole Fairbrother. Erin stays behind to protect the lake and starts an "Occupy the Lake" movement.
- Nico: Mel's ex-boyfriend, who has spiky blonde hair. He is voiced by Andrew Francis.
- Chad Peterson: He works for the Wetiko. After getting hurt, he becomes a cyborg and seeks revenge. Mark Oliver voices him.
- Declan Grey: A man with gray hair who reveals the town of Blighto was destroyed years ago. Mel calls him Mr. Grey. He is voiced by Michael Richard Dobson.
- Kakisa: A girl Mel meets underwater. She seems to be a former messenger like Mel and is seen in an old photo with Declan Grey. Joanna Gaskell voices her.
Other Important Characters
- Wapiti: A tall, muscular humanoid who looks like a moose. He saves the group in the first episode. James R. Baylis voices him.
- Tokala: A female fox, voiced by Joanna Gaskell.
- Mammoth: Voiced by Michael Dobson.
- Giant Groundhog: Voiced by Matthew Toner.
Episodes Guide
Season 0 (Shorts)
Before the TV show, a series of short videos were released in 2010-2011:
- Tease (December 2, 2010, 15 seconds)
- There is a Tide (December 3, 2010, 3:41)
- A Torch is Passed (December 6, 2010, 5:48)
- Wetiko's Gambit (December 14, 2010, 4:22)
- A Sleeper Awakens (December 20, 2010, 7:57)
- Fire Cleanses (December 27, 2010, 4:19)
- Dead Man Walking (January 8, 2011, 4:48)
Season 1
- Pilot uploaded to YouTube on October 23, 2013
| No. in season |
Title | Original air date | APTN airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Welcome To The Other World" "Welcome to the Other" |
7 January 2013 | 17 January 2016 | |
|
Wapiti saves Mel from Chad. Wapiti tells Mel she is the new messenger for the Trickster, just as he is for the Mother.
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| 2 | "The Hero's Journey… With Friends" | 14 January 2013 | 24 January 2016 | |
|
Mel and the boys go to a ghost town. Erin stays with Wapiti to protect the Lake from a big company.
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| 3 | "Under The Lake" "Under the Lake" |
21 January 2013 | 31 January 2016 | |
|
The three friends travel north. Mel finds the previous messenger for the Trickster living under the lake.
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| 4 | "A Wander Moment" | 28 January 2013 | 7 February 2016 | |
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Duane falls into a trance. Erin battles a hacker. Nico gets close to Zone. Chad becomes stronger by defeating the company's old leaders.
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| 5 | "The Gathering Comes" | 4 February 2013 | 14 February 2016 | |
| 6 | "The Battle of Gods' Lake" | 11 February 2013 | 21 February 2016 | |
Season 2
A second season, titled Animism: Titan Falls, is currently being developed.
Where to Watch
The show has been broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network since 2013.
Who Funded It?
The show received funding from several organizations, including the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund (also known as Bell Fund), British Columbia Film + Media, the British Columbia Film Incentive, and the Canada Media Fund. The Shaw Rocket Fund also helped.
Online Game
An official online game for Animism has been available since 2012. Players could ask questions on a forum called Electric Antler and get updates on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Official Stories
The official Animism website has a special section called "The Book of the Emissaries." This guide features several stories by famous authors. These stories were chosen from a writing contest in 2012 and are now part of the show's official lore. Each story has an illustration and can be read in full on its own page. Some of these tales include:
- "Bad Water" by Kevin J. Anderson
- "Dark Destiny, Bright Lady" by David Farland
- "Heart of Ice" by Elizabeth Aileen Dillon (also known as "Beth Aieleen")
- Dillon also wrote "Trickster Faces a Wetiko," which is canon but not in the "Book of Emissaries."
- "The First Farmer of Papua New Guinea" by David Ray
- Ray's other story, "The Last Words of Antonius Pius," is also canon but not in the "Book of Emissaries."
- "The Ladder Trick" by Nick Mamatas
- "Rise of Man" by Sam Chandola
- "The Unicorn's Lament" by Cat Rambo
- "Last Kisses" by Steven Savile
Other authors have also contributed to the Animism world, even if their stories aren't in the "Book of the Emissaries":
- James Alan Gardner for his story "Night Star."
- Nina Kiriki Hoffman
- Stephen Kotowych for his story "Of His Wondrous Guile Sing, O Muse."
The stories are divided into different themes and eras, such as:
- I. First Contact
- II. Early Civilization
- III. Heroes & Heroines
- IV. End of Days
- V. Famous Explorers
- VI. Legendary Warriors
- VII. Natural Disasters
- VIII. Great Thinkers
Awards and Recognition
On October 3, 2013, Animism was a finalist for the Shaw Rocket Fund's RocketPrize in the 13–17 age category. However, it lost to another show called The Phantoms.
See Also
