A Kind of Magic (TV series)
| Company type | Animated television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Michel Coulon, Arthur de Pins |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | France, International |
Key people | Charles Vaucelle (season 1 director), William Renaud (season 2 director), David Gilson (character designer) |
| Products | Animated television series |
| Parent | Xilam Animation |
A Kind of Magic—titled Magic – La Famille Féerique in France—is a French animated series developed by Michel Coulon and Arthur de Pins. The production was handled by Xilam Animation, with season 1 produced in collaboration with France 3 and Disney Television France, while season 2 involved Gulli and Canal J. Direction responsibilities transitioned from Charles Vaucelle during the first season to William Renaud for the second, with character design led by David Gilson.
The show premiered in 2008 on both Disney Channel France and France 3. It gained significant attention at the 2007 MIPCOM Junior market, where it was the top series, drawing interest from more than 280 buyers. The second season launched in 2018 on Canal J.
All episodes are accessible on YouTube.
Synopsis
The narrative centers on Tom, a 10-year-old boy, and his family’s challenges. His older sister Cindy, aged 14, is enamored with every boy she encounters. The family includes Tom’s pet toad, 'His Highness,' and their malevolent aunt Ferocia, who aims to lead Tom astray. Their mother Willow, a somewhat scatterbrained fairy, and father Gregore, a vegetarian ogre, were banished from Fairyland and now reside on Earth.
Characters
- Tom (voiced by Sauvane Delanoë) is the resourceful and quick-witted 10-year-old hero and Cindy’s younger sibling. His agility and creativity often make up for his family’s tendency to forget they live in a non-magical world.
- Cindy (voiced by Kelly Marot) is Tom’s 14-year-old sister. Headstrong and romantic, she aspires to a life beyond her Fairyland obligations. Although she publicly rejects magic, she employs it when it benefits her.
- Ferocia (voiced by Isabelle Leprince) is the harsh aunt of Tom and Cindy and a former formidable witch antagonist. She takes pleasure in disrupting her family’s lives, particularly by provoking Gregore and taunting His Highness.
- Jojo (voiced by Coco Noël) serves as Tom’s closest friend.
- Willow (voiced by Claire Guyot) is the cheerful fairy mother of Tom and Cindy and Gregore’s spouse. She combines a playful spirit with resilience, embracing her magical roots while adjusting to earthly life.
- Gregor (voiced by François Seiner in season 1 and Jérémy Prévost in season 2) is the gentle but awkward ogre father of Tom and Cindy. Having left behind his goblin origins, he remains protective but occasionally quick-tempered during family disputes.
- Victor (voiced by Derville in season 1 and Emanuel Saez in season 2) acts as Tom’s adversary who plots against him and Jojo.
- Uncle Dji (voiced by Serge Failu) is the elderly uncle within the family.
- Marine (voiced by Raphaëlle Zémour in season 1 and Fanny Bloc in season 2) opposes Tom and Jojo, aligns with Victor, and excels as Mlle Fossette’s top pupil.
- Mlle Fossette (voiced by Sophie Santalï) functions as the schoolteacher for Tom and Jojo.
Production
The series’ theme music is an adaptation of A Kind of Magic originally performed by British rock band Queen. On November 3, 2015, Xilam announced plans to produce a second season slated for 2016, consisting of fifty-two episodes each lasting thirteen minutes.
Episodes
| Series Number | Season Number | Title (English) | Title (French) | Author | Storyboard Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Memory Lapses | Trous de mémoire! | Michel Coulon | Laurent Jennet |
| 2 | 2 | Meeting The Parent | Bonjour la famille! | Bob Mittenthall, Gloria Ketterer | Charles Vaucelle |
| 3 | 3 | Confidence | La confiance règne | Steve Sustarsic | Vincent Dubost |
| 4 | 4 | Framed! | Le vol | Yves Coulon, Jean-Marc Lenglen | Laurent Jennet |
| 5 | 5 | Great Love | Trompeuses apparences | Mark Hodkinson | Fred Mintoff, Sandra Derval |
| 6 | 6 | Uncle Sandman | Le marchand de sable | Steve Sustarsic | Sandra Derval |
| 7 | 7 | The Ventriloquist | Le ventriloque | Richard Conroy | Frederic Mintoff |
| 8 | 8 | Wishing Dust | Lessivés! | Mark Hodkinson | Vincent Dubost |
| 9 | 9 | What Big Teeth You Have! | Que vous avez de grandes dents | Linda O'Sullivan | Laurent Jennet |
| 10 | 10 | Ugly, Lazy & Mean! | Affreux, Fainéants et Méchants! | Yves Coulon | Vincent Dubost |
| Series Number !Season Number !Title (English) !Title (French) !Author !Storyboard Artist |
|---|
| 11 |When An Ogre Loves A Fairy |L'ogre et la fée |Mark Hodkinson |Frederic Mintoff |
| 12 |A Dog's Life |Une vie de chien |Michel Coulon |Jean-Luc Abiven |
| Series Number !Season Number !Title (English) !Title (French) !Author !Storyboard Artist |
|---|
| 1 |Candy Through The Looking Glass |De l'autre côté du miroir |Fiona Leibgorin |Matthieu Pitschon |
References
- Articles with short description
- 2000s French animated television series
- 2006 French television series debuts
- 2018 French television series endings
- 2006 animated television series debuts
- Television series revived after cancellation
- Animated television series about children
- Animated television series about families
- Disney animated television series
- French children's animated fantasy television series
- French children's animated comedy television series
- French flash animated television series
- Xilam
- France Télévisions children's television series
- France 3 original programming
- Disney Channel international original programming