Comic-Con attendees will be introduced to a futuristic super hero inspired by retro counterculture with the launch of Pachuko Boy 2055. The concept is created by Oscar-nominated actor Edward James Olmos (Founder & Board Chairman of LatinX in Animation), his son Michael Olmos and Mike Montijo (Founder of Laka Laka Entertainment). To bring the story to life, Carlos Gaxiola, Angel Ibarra A. and Ruben Perez of Guadalajara, Mexico-based Demente Animation Studio developed the look of the animated series.
“Demente Animation Studio has always been attracted to Latin projects, especially being able to make more content for us and our people,” says Gaxiola. “With Pachuko Boy, we loved the direction the creators took with the show. It’s all about storytelling and they did a phenomenal job. For me, Pachuko Boy is made special by his background, which was created and inspired by the Latino culture of the ’40s, where people were proud of their Mexican roots. We believed we captured this. I think people will love Pachuko Boy because they have never seen anything like it.”
Michael Olmos adds, “It’s been a great journey for me and Edward working with Mike Montijo on this project. We’re excited to bring Pachuko Boy 2055 to the world. Mike’s passion and energy is inspiring and we look forward to a beautiful, creative friendship.”
The hero takes his name from the jazz/swing era offshoot among Chicanos and Mexican-Americans, whose zoot-suit rocking devotees, pachucos, rebelled against expectations that they Anglo-Americanize their culture and language.
Margaret Loesch has been involved in the world of Pachuko Boy since the beginning with Montijo. Ever a pioneer in the entertainment industry, Loesch at one time was the President & CEO of Marvel Productions, ran Fox Kids and was responsible for putting the X-Men animated series and Power Rangers on TV, among many others. She has also served as President of the Jim Henson Television Group.
“I’ve always been attracted to Pachuko Boy because I felt the Latino audience was very underserved,” notes Loesch. “I believe it’s very important to understand the Latino perspective and I think Michael does this well. I was also very impressed with Michael’s storytelling and his love and affection for his family, which is brought out through Pachuko Boy. This new angle has never been done before, it’s very relatable, and I think audiences from all different backgrounds will love this show.”
The team will debut Pachuko Boy 2055 at the San Diego Comic-Con, where attendees can visit them at booth #3915 and receive a copy signed by the creator.
Demente Animation Studio has previously provided animation services for projects including the 2D feature film Night of the Animated Dead (Warner Bros.), Hello Kitty and Friends Mini Tales (Mattel) and Animal Mechanicals (WildBrain). The team is currently working on supernatural comedy-adventure series The Go-Go Brothers (created by Montijo and Steve Skrovan), the series adaptation of Mike Bauman’s Venom Wars of the Desert Realm (with Baboon Animation) and Legend of Luchasatsu, starring Último Dragón and featuring designs by Urban Aztec (with Masked Republic).
