RAI adds Smurfs to lineup

Rai Ragazzi has announced its latest agreement with IMPS, the official licensors of The Smurfs: the famous little blue characters will land for the first time on the Italian public broadcaster in a brand new 3D version.

The popular characters created by Peyo will air on first Italian preschool channel Rai Yoyo in early 2022 in a new animated series of 52 x 11’ episodes produced by Peyo Productions and Dupuis Audiovisuel.

After 40 years from the first TV appearance, this new series will deliver Papa Smurf, Smurfette and all the other inhabitants of the mushroom-shaped houses in the collective imagination even of the newest Italian generations, after being childhood companions of entire generations of children but also adults, who made it one of the greatest hits of the 80s, success which still continues today with numerous replicas.

The new TV series aimed at girls and boys 5 to 10 years old, will keep intact the DNA of the comics where the Smurfs were born in 1958, combining it with the fast rhythms suitable for today’s viewers and an explosive charge of adventure and humor. The upcoming show will be directed by William Renaud, already behind the success of the new animated series by Rai Yoyo “Calimero”, and written by Peter Saisselin and Amy Serafin (Alvinnn !!! and the Chipmunks, the series).