Tencent and Coolabi Greenlight 'Warrior Cats' Animated Series

The best-selling fantasy book series 'Warrior Cats' is officially heading to the screen. Coolabi Group and Tencent Video have greenlit an animated television adaptation of Erin Hunter’s novels, which have sold over 90 million copies globally. The production, which marks the first authorized animated take on the franchise, will be based on the inaugural story arc, 'The Prophecies Begin.'

To ensure the adaptation meets high creative standards, the project has enlisted industry veterans A.C. Bradley, known for her work on 'What If?' and 'Ms. Marvel,' as showrunner, and Emmy-winning director Rodrigo Blaas of 'Trollhunters' fame. Production is currently underway at Blaas’ Madrid-based El Guiri Studios, with a targeted release date of 2028. The series will debut on Tencent Video’s platforms, focusing on markets across China and Southeast Asia.

This development represents a significant pivot for the franchise, following the cancellation of a previous attempt to develop a live-action/CGI hybrid feature film. The move highlights the immense digital footprint of the 'Warrior Cats' brand, which currently commands billions of monthly views on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, alongside a highly active player base on Roblox. By moving into long-form animation, Coolabi is clearly looking to capitalize on this massive, pre-existing fan base, bridging the gap between the literary source material and the brand's thriving digital ecosystem.