By Neil Ramos
Published Jun 25, 2026 06:11 pm
With Filipino creators, global voice casts, and festival acclaim, Pinoy animation is stepping into a powerful new era of worldwide recognition as led by "Sun Chaser," the internationally praised "Zsazsa Zaturnnah," and DreamWorks' "Forgotten Island."
Philippine animation is riding one of its most exciting creative waves in recent memory. What was once a niche corner of the entertainment industry is now steadily emerging into global view, powered by original Filipino stories, international collaborations, and festival recognition that is hard to ignore.
At the center of this surge is the newly released animated series “Sun Chaser,” which premiered June 22 on YouTube, free for global audiences.
The fantasy adventure has quickly become one of the most talked-about Filipino animated projects online, not just for its story, but for the scale of its ambition and the star power behind it.
The premise is simple, straightforward. “Sun Chaser” follows teenager Jordan Santos, whose supposed chill summer in the Philippines turns into a supernatural awakening. As he discovers his role in protecting the fragile balance between the human world and the spirit realm, the series unfolds as both a fantasy epic and a coming-of-age story rooted in identity and heritage.
It should be said though that the voice cast reflects the project’s global reach.
Featuring Liza Soberano, Manny Jacinto, Charo Santos-Concio, Dingdong Dantes, Zia Dantes, AC Bonifacio, KD Estrada, Eugene Cordero and JR De Guzman, it blends a healthy mix of Filipino and Filipino-American talents in a grand collaboration that is fast shaping modern Pinoy storytelling.
Behind the series are veteran Filipino animators Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion, with production handled by Toon City Animation and Playlab Manila.
The creators have positioned the project as something unprecedented: a fully creator-owned Filipino animated series grounded in local mythology and built with the production ambition of a major international studio.
While the series has already premiered, its journey is far from over. A Kickstarter campaign is currently underway to fund additional episodes, underscoring both the passion behind the project and the evolving landscape of independent animation production in the Philippines.
While “Sun Chaser” captures attention online, another Filipino-linked project has been making waves abroad.
