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MoonScoop

From Alfawiki
MoonScoop S.A.
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelevision and animation production
PredecessorFrance Animation, Antefilms Production
Founded2003
FounderChristophe Di Sabatino, Benoît Di Sabatino (Antefilms Production founders)
Defunct2014
FateBankruptcy; content library acquired by Dargaud; French branch taken over by Ellipsanime; American branch renamed Splash Entertainment
SuccessorEllipsanime (French branch), Splash Entertainment (American branch)
Headquarters
Paris
,
France
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Christophe Di Sabatino (Co-executive chairman), Benoît Di Sabatino (Co-executive chairman), Nicolas Atlan (Co-CEO), Axel Dauchez (Co-CEO)
ProductsAnimated television series including Code Lyoko, Code Lyoko: Evolution, Hero: 108, Growing Up Creepie, I Got a Rocket

MoonScoop S.A. (also known as MoonScoop Group) was a French company specializing in television and animation production, recognized for developing and distributing animated series like Code Lyoko and its follow-up, Code Lyoko: Evolution. Established in 2003, the company was headquartered in Paris and maintained additional offices in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

History

The roots of MoonScoop trace back to France Animation, a Paris-based studio founded in 1984, noted for producing Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea. In September 2003, Antefilms Production—created in 1990 by Christophe and Benoît Di Sabatino—acquired France Animation. Subsequently, in March 2004, the distribution branches of these two entities merged, giving rise to MoonScoop.

On January 24, 2014, following MoonScoop's bankruptcy filing, the Commercial Court of Paris authorized Dargaud to purchase MoonScoop's content library. This acquisition transferred full ownership of the catalogue to Dargaud. Meanwhile, the French segment of MoonScoop was taken over by Ellipsanime, and its American branch was renamed Splash Entertainment.

Notable people

Christophe and Benoît Di Sabatino, brothers by relation, held the positions of co-executive chairmen at MoonScoop Group. The roles of co-CEOs were fulfilled by Nicolas Atlan and Axel Dauchez.

Subsidiaries

MoonScoop encompassed numerous subsidiaries:

  • Antefilms Production: A French animation studio established in 1990 by Christophe and Benoît Di Sabatino, focused on television series production.
  • France Animation: A French animation company founded in 1984.
  • XANA Post-Production: The unit responsible for post-production work on Code Lyoko.
  • MoonScoop Entertainment (previously Mike Young Productions): An American studio that created programs such as ToddWorld and Growing Up Creepie. Founded in 1990 by Mike Young, Liz Young, and Bill Schultz, it has since been rebranded as Splash Entertainment.
    • Taffy Entertainment handled global distribution, marketing, and licensing for both Mike Young Productions and MoonScoop properties before being integrated into MoonScoop LLC in 2009.
  • MoonScoop Digital Entertainment (formerly Queen Bee Interactive): A French company developing interactive applications and broadcast services; later merged into Splash Entertainment.
  • LuxAnimation: A Luxembourg-based studio recognized for productions like Babar and the Adventures of Badou and the movie Dragon Hunters.
  • Kabillion: A U.S.-based children's video-on-demand platform launched in 2007, currently owned by Splash Entertainment.

Code Lyoko

Code Lyoko is a French animated series that blends traditional animation with CGI techniques. Initially produced by Antefilms and later under MoonScoop's banner, it was created in collaboration with France 3 and Canal J. The storyline centers on four students from Kadic Junior High—Jeremie, Odd, Ulrich, and Yumi—who assist a virtual girl named Aelita in escaping from Lyoko, a digital realm contained within a supercomputer beneath an abandoned factory.

The main adversary is X.A.N.A., a malicious artificial intelligence that controls the virtual domain and poses threats to the real world. The group’s mission involves activating towers scattered across various regions of Lyoko to counter X.A.N.A.'s assaults and reverse time to undo any damage caused—all while protecting their classmates and navigating personal challenges.

Code Lyoko: Evolution

Taking place a year after the original series, this reboot integrates live-action sequences for the real world alongside 3D animation representing the virtual Lyoko environment, excluding the Ice/Polar and Forest Sectors.

X.A.N.A. resurfaces with increased power, compelling Jeremie, Ulrich, Odd, Yumi, and Aelita to reactivate their concealed quantum supercomputer to confront the renewed menace. They are accompanied by William Dunbar and a new addition to the group, the prodigious Laura Gauthier.

The team ventures into a fresh virtual domain named the Cortex using their submersible Skidbladnir and an auxiliary vehicle called the Megapod. There, they encounter Professor Lowell Tyron, a new adversary unaware that X.A.N.A. has infiltrated his supercomputer. To defeat X.A.N.A. and halt Tyron’s digital ninja forces, the Lyoko warriors must engineer a potent computer virus.

Complications arise when Aelita’s mother, Anthea Hopper, is revealed to be allied with Tyron. While trying to decipher her intentions, Jeremie develops an anti-virus designed to eradicate both X.A.N.A. and Tyron’s data. Tyron eventually tracks the team down at Kadic Academy due to his legal relationship as Aelita’s stepfather. To safeguard his project, he commands the shutdown of his supercomputer, causing the Cortex to collapse. The team barely escapes permanent virtualization. With Tyron’s system disabled, Jeremie deactivates their own supercomputer, leaving X.A.N.A. inert but not destroyed, thus maintaining an open-ended narrative.

Hero: 108

Initially portraying a world where humans and animals coexist peacefully until disrupted by the mischievous High Roller who manipulates two animals to spark conflict, this series follows warriors Lin Chung, Jumpy Ghostface, Mystique Sonia, Commander ApeTrully, Mr. No Hands, and Mighty Ray as they unite to restore harmony.

I Got a Rocket

On his birthday, Vinnie Q receives an animated rocket filled with gadgets and witty remarks, leading him through numerous adventurous and often chaotic escapades.

Growing Up Creepie

Raised by an insect family within the Dweezwold Mansion, Creepie manages her life at Middlington Middle School while keeping her extraordinary home life hidden to shield her family from entomophobic humans.

Productions

Formed from the merger of Antefilms and France Animation, MoonScoop's programming features titles from both original catalogs.

Television series

Title Years Network Notes
Code Lyoko 2003–2007 France 3 & Canal J Continued from Antefilms Production
Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes 2006–2010 M6
Cartoon Network Europe
Cartoon Network/Nicktoons (US)		 Co-produced with Marvel Studios
Bunny Maloney 2009 Canal+ Co-produced with Telegael
Casper's Scare School 2009–2012 TF1
Cartoon Network (US)		 Co-produced with Classic Media and DQ Entertainment
Distributed by Mediatoon Distribution and NBCUniversal Global Distribution
My Phone Genie 2012 CITV (UK)
KIKA (Germany)		 Co-produced with ZDF Enterprises, Talent Television, and Telegael
Owned by Mediatoon Distribution
Code Lyoko: Evolution 2013 France 4 & Canal J Co-produced with Back-Up Media

Films

  • Harry
  • Tootuff: The Movie
  • Quest for Zhu

External links

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