Most Popular Colombian Animation Series Worldwide

Colombian animation productions are drawing in audiences on screens worldwide. As Colombia’s animation industry expands, several Colombian studios have begun working on international productions and earning recognition for their work.

Studios such as Dinamita have been at the forefront of this trend, and have contributed to notable projects such as the remake of Hulu’s Animaniacs, Netflix’s acclaimed Love, Death & Robots, and the popular Rick and Morty series.

Similarly, Insert Coin, directed by Camilo Escarraga, has contributed to globally recognized brands such as Polly Pocket and Barbie, as well as the Matchbox web series and other intellectual property developed by the U.S. toy company Mattel.

Animation companies generated 30 trillion pesos (approximately US$7 billion) in 2021 in Colombia. The growth of the industry has also been driven by government initiatives that finance pilots which are later sold abroad. Here are five Colombian animated series renowned for their exceptional visual and content quality.

The best Colombian animation series

Juaco vs Paco

Juaco vs Paco is an animated series developed by the Colombian studio ZincoTools. The 2D production is targeted at children aged 6 to 10 and was created by John Hernandez Delgado and Monica Rocha. The series follows the adventures of twin brothers passionate about soccer, who seek to visit “El Campeche,” a famous stadium.

Despite their enthusiasm, they face challenges due to their clumsiness on the field and the resistance of a stadium guard and his watchdog. Juaco vs Paco premiered on Cartoon Network in 2021 and was the first Colombian digital production to receive investment from the renowned television channel.

Dos Pajaritos

Dos Pajaritos is a series based on Diego Dipacho’s book, which uses illustration to portray simple and everyday conflicts via the characters of two birds. Although identical in shape and behavior, the birds differ in color, symbolizing elements of human diversity and themes such as race, gender, culture, and religion.

The series, a co-production between Señal Colombia, Palermo Studios of Uruguay, and Can Can Club of Argentina, was directed by Uruguayan illustrator Alfredo Soderguit. It stands out for its visual quality, its traditional 2D animation, and its frame-by-frame and stop motion effects.

Suitable for children over six and for adults, Dos Pajaritos aims to stimulate its audiences mentally and emotionally and make them reflect on human conflicts. The series received the 2022 public vote award for “Short Content” at the Prix Jeunesse Festival in Germany.

Betty Toons

Betty Toons was a Colombian animated series created in 2002, based on the telenovela Yo soy Betty, la Fea, created by Fernando Gaitan. Following the telenovela’s success, the same director reimagined the characters as children attending primary school. RCN Television produced the animated series, which aired for one year on that channel and expanded internationally to many others, which broadcast the series to this day.

Betty Toons made history and gained international recognition as the first Colombian animated series sold to Cartoon Network. In July 2024, a statue of the protagonist was unveiled at Nuestro Bogota Mall, celebrating her legacy and impact on popular culture.

Locos Lab

Locos Lab is a Colombian animated series produced by Dinogorila Creative Lab in co-production with RTVC Señal Colombia. The series follows the adventures of Nina, a rebellious and feisty girl; her uncle Dr. C, an eccentric punk scientist; Niko, a caveman; and Mauf, a grumpy cat.

Together, they try to fulfill their roles within their wild family, under the orders of their maternal and talkative cloned cow. The series combines humor with themes of science and futurism, offering an educational and entertaining experience for children.

Additionally, there is a video game version available on the Play Store, which allows players to immerse themselves in the world of Locos Lab and live out their own adventures.

Chica Carton

Chica Carton (Cardboard Girl) is a 2D animated series co-produced by Señal Colombia and Piragna, the studio behind the famous character Frailejon Ernesto Perez. The series is primarily aimed at young people and addresses themes such as gender, depression, loneliness, and the situations women face during adolescence.

The protagonist, Mi, is an optimistic, 17-year-old girl living in a city filled with pessimism. Consisting of nine episodes, each of which are 24 minutes long, the series follows Mi as she faces the challenges of transitioning into adulthood, discovering the unpredictable nature of life, and balancing head and heart.