WarnerMedia & Ciwen Team for Tuzki Series

The Chinese rabbit Tuzki character will be the star of a brand-new comedy-drama series, mixing live-action and CGI styles, that will mark Tuzki’s debut in long-form content.

WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, which owns the Tuzki IP, and Ciwen Media will partner on the series, which is expected to be 24 episodes. Production is slated to kick off in early 2020.

For years, Tuzki has been the most popular emoji on social messaging app WeChat. The rabbit has appeared in animated shorts, events, as well as themed cafes and restaurants.

Tuzki will also feature in the 2020 drama Second Time is a Charm, directed by Chen Ming-zhang, while a theatrical Tuzki movie is currently in preproduction.

“We’ve been ramping up our investment in local productions over recent months and are firmly committed to nurturing our homegrown Chinese IP. Together with Ciwen Media, this project demonstrates this perfectly,” said Clement Schwebig, managing director of WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks for Southeast Asia, the Pacific and China. “Interest in Tuzki has never been higher and that’s in part because he has a unique voice that resonates with young adults in China. He’s become more than just an emoji, he’s truly an icon for all screens.”

The founder of Ciwen Media, Ma Zhongjun, added: “The most impressive creative projects are usually derived from real life. And with his witty charm, Tuzki is an accurate expression and reflection of modern lifestyle. In this series, we hope that this original Chinese IP will share joy and inspire the world as a symbol for the internet generation.”