WBD’s Max dives into underwater animation ‘Mermicorno: Starfall’ with Atomic Cartoons & Tokidoki

Mermicorno: Starfall

Max, the Warner Bros. Discovery streamer that relaunched in the US earlier this week, has greenlit animated series Mermicorno: Starfall.

Created and produced by Thunderbird’s Atomic Cartoons, in partnership with lifestyle brand Tokidoki, the series will debut exclusively on the streamer in 2025.

Mermicorno: Starfall draws its inspiration from Tokidoki’s character family Mermicorno (half-unicorn/half-fish creatures). Sirena, the first Mermicorno, debuted in 2015 and the Mermicorno character family launched with collectibles, apparel, and accessories in 2016.

The series is an adventure-comedy that takes place in a fantastical and magical undersea world, where a team of Mermicorno join together to save the ocean from the threat of the evil Ika Inkblot. During their epic mission, the heroes unlock the magic of creative self-expression, discover new depths of friendship, and find the best bowl of ramen in the sea.

Atomic is overseeing the production and final delivery of Mermicorno: Starfall. Thunderbird CEO and chair, Jennifer Twiner McCarron, president and CCO, Matthew Berkowitz, and Aaron Behl, VP of Atomic Originals, will also executive produce along with Tokidoki co-founder and CCO Simone Legno and co-founder and CEO Pooneh Mohajer, and Shea Fontana.

Thunderbird Distribution represents global media sales for Mermicorno: Starfall, and is currently licensing the series globally to broadcasters and platforms outside of the US.

“We’ve long been dedicated fans and collectors of Tokidoki and its Mermicorno brand. There’s magic in these Mermicorno, and we felt there was a tremendous opportunity to fill a white space for an intelligent adventure-comedy to appeal to both girls and boys — and their families,” said Berkowitz.

Atomic Cartoons hired former Disney exec Kitty Walsh to head up development last year, while parent company Thunderbird Entertainment Group this month brought in ACF Investment Bank to explore “all options for growth” following its recent peace deal with shareholder Voss Capital, including the possibility of a sale.