Jeremy Zag, founder and CEO of award-winning global indie animation studio ZAG (Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir), announced the three-pronged US launch of its latest original boys’ action-adventure comedy series under the ZAG HEROES brand: Zak Storm – Super Pirate (39 x 22 min.; Ages 6-11), created by Man of Action Entertainment (Ben 10, Big Hero 6).
Zak Storm – Super Pirate debuted in the US on Sinclair Broadcast Group’s KidsClick TV and on Discovery Family this fall. Now, the show is available to stream over Netflix, coinciding with the launch of global master toy partner Bandai America’s interconnected play experience inspired by the tech-infused brand, linking up TV viewing, toys and mobile game.
As kids watch the series, it will sync with the free-to-play Zak Storm Super Pirate mobile game to deliver small-screen battles and adventures that mimic the real-time TV show scenes. This in turn provides the player digital game rewards. The experience is further realized when kids collect and play with Zak Storm physical toys from Bandai America, available exclusively in the US through Amazon for the month of November. Each comes with collectible treasure that provides rewards for the Zak Storm mobile game — kids simply scan the unique QR code into the app to receive weapons, powers, worlds, strength, health and much more.
In the Zak Storm Super Pirate app, players take on the role of Zak Storm as he assembles his crew, explores the treacherous seas, and confronts Skullivar’s minions in battle. Ultimately, the player’s journey centers on digital gameplay powered by physical toy scanning—and that journey syncs with the TV show to level-up both digital and physical experiences. The game is available for download on the App Store and Google Play, as well as Amazon for Fire tablets.
“We have had an overwhelming response from kids to Zak Storm – Super Pirate in the countries where the TV series has already premiered, and we are excited to launch this digital trifecta that allows kids to synergistically play across the Zak Storm world via multiple platforms for a truly unique play experience,” explains Zag. “We have created endless possibilities for fun, as kids are rewarded for doing what they already love to do: WATCH, PLAY and LEVEL-UP!”
Bandai’s physical Zak Storm toy line includes Collectible Treasure Pack (SRP $4.99); Action Figures of Zak Storm, Caramba, Clovis, Crogar, Skullivar (SRP $7.99 each); Hover Vehicle (SRP $14.99); “Calabrass” Swords (SRP $14.99); Sino Island Playset (SRP $19.99); Martigua Deluxe Playset (SRP $29.99); and Chaos Vehicle (SRP $49.99).
“Bandai America’s Zak Storm – Super Pirate product line is a tremendous asset in conveying the distinct attributes of this new ‘must have’ global boys brand for digital natives and savvy kids everywhere,” added ZAG’s President of Global Brand Strategy and Consumer Products André Lake Mayer. “Kids will want to experience this bold new adventure series through interactive play, role playing and more, and it opens the door for other licensed consumer products, promotions and sponsorships to extend the opportunities for kids to engage with the brand.”
Synopsis: Zak Storm – Super Pirate follows the adventures of the headstrong Zak Storm, a seemingly typical kid who is swept into the Bermuda Triangle—the cosmic “junk drawer” of the universe—while trying to win a surfing competition. Discovering an enchanted talking sword (Calabrass), Zak is magically transformed into the swashbuckling, renegade super pirate hero, Zak Storm. Bravely committing to serve as the captain of a high-tech, living ship, called The Chaos, Zak encounters the Triangle’s seven mysterious seas while battling villains and creatures with the help of a unique crew of misfits! An equally empowered Atlantean female first mate (Cece), a thick-headed, heavy-fisted Viking (Crogar), a neurotic space traveler, and a poltergeist prankster kid join forces with Zak in an effort to unlock the secrets that will chart their course home.
Broadcasters include Canal J and Gulli (France), POP (UK), Clan TV (Spain), Canal Panda (Portugal), RTs (French-speaking Switzerland), Super! (Italy), RTL Telekids (Netherlands) and Discovery Kids Latin America. Coming soon to Super RTL (Germany), MTV 3 (Finland), SIC (Portugal), Ouf Tivi and VTM/KZoom (Belgium), Zoom (Israel).
