Mae EscartinThe fact that Barangay 143 is the very first Filipino-themed anime series to air in the country sums up why everyone must watch this show. But it’s really not just that. Why? Here are the other reasons why you should spare your time and watch this anime show:
It’s a story of human drama.
Filipinos love drama. It’s very evident on the top-rated shows in television or even in theaters. Everyone loves watching shows that they can relate to. In Barangay 143, you can somehow identify with the story of one of the characters. You may see yourself overcoming the same situation with Bren T. Park (Migo Adecer), or having the same issues with Tita Baby (Sylvia Sanchez). You’ll love how the story is crafted to highlight Filipinos’ slice of life.
It features certified Pinoy favorite sport — Basketball.
According to Synergy88, “Barangay 143 is a feel-good coming of age story of a young Korean boy whose search for his father brings him to the Philippines. Lost and desperate for answers, is here in this foreign land that he finds an unlikely family in a team of misfits whose only ambition is to bring glory to their hometown. It’s a story about love and family set against the action-packed world of street basketball, where the stakes are always high and life the biggest game you can win.”
So, basketball fanatics, this story is really for you! It’s more than just the drama, it’s more about the sport we all love and adore.
Barangay 143 highlights an all-star cast!
One of the things we noticed during its press launch last July 17 was this anime is definitely star-studded. They’ll have top Filipino celebrities to give life to the characters. They have Migo Adecer (Bren T. Park), Kelley Day (Jinri), Paolo Contis (Koboy), Raver Eda (Buchoy), Ruru Madrid (Wax), Julie Ann San Jose (Vicky), Sylvia Sanchez (Tita Baby), John Arcilla (Coach B) and Cherie Gil (Sophia). They will also be joined by Klea Pineda (Angelina), Gabbi Garcia (Melody), and Edu Manzano (Commissioner of PIBA).
Though this project has the best of the best actors in the industry, some questions pops-up like have those celebrities done voice acting and how is it different to on-screen acting. Gil gave her thoughts about voice acting. “Voice acting is really hard because you’re alone in the room. It’s really different when you have a co-actor to throw lines to”.
On the other hand, Sanchez said that voice actors also need to use their heart and mind to deliver the right emotions. It was then agreed by Arcilla. “You cannot supply the right voice if you do not have the right emotion,” he said.
It has that “Japanese anime factor”.
According to Merriam-Webster, “anime is a style of animation originating in Japan characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes.” So how does Barangay 143 became an anime if it does not come from Japan?
The upcoming series is a actually a collaboration of Filipino animators through Philippine-based game developer Synergy88 with Singapore-based media producer August Media Holdings. Not just that! To have the Japanese anime factor, they also have TV Asahi for the character design and direction of the series. TV Asahi is the Japanese company behind several anime that local television giants aired like Doraemon, Yugi-Oh, Slam Dunk, Pretty Cure, and others.
Interesting, right?
It’s not just a television series, Barangay 143 also has a mobile game, comic strip, and its own merchandise.
Last 2016, Synergy88 released Barangay 143 Street League mobile game. This game is still available on Google Play Store for Android and iOS App Store. According to its press release “the narrative story within the mobile game leads to the suspense and drama that drives the story for the upcoming TV series.”
“Within the series, the comic strip and even the game we have tried to capture the real-life experiences of the Philippines through the art and the sounds,” said Jackeline Chua, Managing Dircetor and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Digital. “With Barangay 143 Street League we also created a unique experience that helps players compete with friends in cyberspace but get their wins rewarded in the real world.”
Amazing!
So Otakus, get ready for the very first Filipino anime series Barangay 143 to air in GMA 7 on October 13!
