NEKO PRODUCTIONS  

Makes Waves Worldwide with Ofir Lobel’s Debut Graphic Novel and Companion Animated Series 

101 REASONS WHY 

Los Angeles-based Neko Productions’ first foray into graphic novel publishing and original animation is available in fall 2023. 

Amidst the perfect storm of fan-con, confab and festival season, Los Angeles-based Neko Productionsperforms extra swimmingly. Riding high is the studio’s debut, original kid-lit graphic novel series entitled 101 REASONS WHY. The broadly humorous tome, created by writer/director/comedian Ofir Lobel (Keshet/Netflix’s BLACKSPACE; A WONDERFUL COUNTRY), edited by Peyton McDavitt, and with comics art direction from Bobbo Andonova (BOBBO DRAWS), is a high-concept comic that’s destined for animated adaptation. Additionally, Neko founder and executive producer Lirit Rosenzweig Topaz has relocated Neko’s former Burbank headquarters into a souped-up facility in Sherman Oaks, California. With this move comes the engagement of graphic novel development guru John Shableski (Myra and the Drawing Drama; Manga Classics; We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story).

Multi-hyphenate Ofir Lobel enjoys an extraordinary swell of pre-MIPCOM and New York Toy Fair positivity. Besides authoring 101 REASONS, Lobel has a new Netflix spy drama series on the horizon. TRUST NO ONE (9 x 60?) is set for international streaming – including USA, UK, and Israel – in late 2023 and early 2024. Lobel is both co-creator and episodic director.  

Established in 2010, Neko is known as the animation studio behind video game giant Sega’s infectious fan favorite web series SONIC MANIA ADVENTURES and its equally appealing companion TEAM SONIC RACING OVERDRIVE. Both shows star the Blue Blur himself: Sonic the Hedgehog. 

Tyson Hesse, director of the aforementioned Sonic content, exclaims, “Throughout several different projects, Neko Productions proved themselves to be a hard-working and dedicated team that delivered exceptional animation quality in a short timeframe. They are a team that is willing to go the extra mile to deliver a great product.” 

Frame By Frame Animation school reflects Neko’s high standards 

Along with its hub in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, Neko maintains artists, administration, and tech experts on four continents. Plus, Frame By Frame Animation, Neko’s professional art training curriculum, offers a comprehensive online animation instruction program. Video courses are available in multiple languages, such as Hebrew and Spanish, for creatives worldwide. FBF Animation supplies an abundance of educational opportunities for those outside Southern California. Opened in 2012, the school tenders access to top-tier teachers who are simultaneously employed at Hollywood powerhouse studios, such as Disney and DreamWorks. 

“Besides my husband (director/animation department chair at DreamWorks feature films Liron Topaz) and my three children, Neko remains my proudest achievement!” beams Lirit Topaz. “From our animated incarnation of Dr. Ruth Westheimer – in the Hulu documentary ASK DR. RUTH – to our ongoing education of next gen animators, Neko is the result of my dreams as a girl growing up in Israel. The next era of Neko will bring even more surprises – both live-action and animated – to viewers everywhere. This is just the tip of the iceberg!” 

Experience the Neko tsunami here: www.nekoproductions.com 

Neko ripple effects are here: https://linktr.ee/nekoprods 

101 REASONS WHY is here: https://www.101reasonswhy.com