Zak Storm
| Company type | Animated television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Animation |
| Founded | December 2, 2016 |
| Founder | Zagtoon, Method Animation, De Agostini Editore, SAMG Animation, MNC Animation, Man of Action |
Area served | International |
| Products | Animated television series |
Zak Storm—also recognized as Zak Storm: Super Pirate'—is an animated television series created through a collaboration between Zagtoon, Method Animation, De Agostini Editore, SAMG Animation, MNC Animation, and Man of Action. Its initial broadcast occurred on Canal J in France on 2 December 2016. In the United States, the show was available on KidsClick from 30 September 2017 until 7 January 2018, followed by a run on Discovery Family starting 14 October 2017. Although a second season was announced in 2019, no subsequent information has been released.
Premise
While surfing, teenager Zak Storm takes possession of his father’s necklace and is unexpectedly drawn into the mysterious Bermuda Triangle. There, he is saved by Chaos, a sentient pirate ship, and learns that the necklace contains the Eye of Beru, which bestows upon him unique abilities. To find his way back home, Zak must assume command of Chaos as its captain and bring together the Seven Seas. His crew is an eclectic mix including a ghost boy, an Atlantean princess, a Viking warrior, and an extraterrestrial being.
Main
- Conrad Zacharie Storm (known as Zak Storm) is a 13-year-old who becomes trapped within the Bermuda Triangle. The English voice is provided by Michael Johnston, while Hervé Grull performs the French version.
- Chrysta Coraline Lejune (referred to as Cece Lejune) serves as an Atlantean princess and Zak’s trusted first mate, offering steadfast support and counsel. She is equipped with a pink ray gun and possesses the ability to breathe underwater. Cece’s voice actors are Christine Marie Cabanos in English and Marie Nonnenmacher in French.
- Crogar is a 15-year-old Viking pirate who acts as the crew’s primary enforcer, known for his signature battle cry "Ragnarok!" His English voice actor is Chris Smith, with Marc Duquenoy providing the French voice.
- Caramba is a diminutive green alien operating within a yellow robotic exoskeleton who functions as the team’s engineer. He is voiced by Max Mittelman in English and Olivier Podesta in French.
- Clovis is a seven-year-old ectoplasmic ghost bound to the ship Chaos. Though he has lost his physical form, he remains an active member of the crew. Reba Buhr voices Clovis in English, while Elodie Menant voices him in French.
- Calabrass is Zak’s enchanted talking sword that enables him to harness elemental powers through the Seven Eyes of the Seven Seas. Each power activation drains energy that requires time to replenish. Calabrass also serves as Zak’s mentor. The sword’s voice actors are Kyle Hebert in English and Jérôme Wiggins in French.
- The Chaos is a living, technologically advanced pirate vessel with its own distinct personality. Fiercely devoted to its crew, it plays an essential role in their survival—such as rescuing Zak from a kraken early in the series.
Recurring
- Skullivar commands an army of skeletons and acts as Zak’s primary adversary, seeking to obtain all Seven Eyes of the Seven Seas and capture Zak himself. David Roach provides his English voice.
- Golden Bones, Skullivar’s second-in-command and captain of the Demoniac—a ship manned by skeletons—harbors intense animosity toward Zak due to repeated defeats. Matthew Mercer voices this character.
- Zephyra, daughter of Sassafras, possesses mixed heritage as half human and half Zitean and carries a magical moon-shaped necklace. She appears in "Between Stars" and aids the 7Cs; both Caramba and Crogar have romantic interests in her.
- Sassafras, a witch who supports Zak and his crew (the 7Cs), is voiced by Jessica Gee-George.
- Alan Gamble is portrayed as a pirate considered heroic by some, though his methods are occasionally dubious.
- Anubis, guardian of Dezer's Waypoint, wields control over sand, giant scorpions, and mummy minions. Viewing entrapment within the Triangle as akin to death, he features golden mechanical scorpion-like appendages. David Roach provides his voice.
- Lemurians are aquatic warriors engaged in conflict with Atlanteans; they wear living obsidian armor.
- Admiral T'Halis, a cruel Lemurian general hostile toward both Atlanteans and humans, aims to dominate Atlantis and Earth's oceans. Voiced by Richard Epcar.
- Lemurian Commander distinguished by red armor similar to that worn by Lemurian Guards.
- Lemurian Guard sporting armor reminiscent of Spartan design.
Broadcast
Zak Storm was originally planned to premiere on Gulli in France. The show also aired on RCTI and GTV in Indonesia, Super RTL in Germany, DeA Kids and Super! across Italy, Clan and Canal Panda in Spain, OUFtivi in Wallonia, Kadet in Flanders, Radio Télévision Suisse in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, Telekids in the Netherlands, SIC in Portugal, as well as Pop and Pop Max within the United Kingdom. In the United States, it was available on Discovery Family, KidsClick, and Netflix. Latin American audiences watched it via Discovery Kids, while Canadian viewers could find it on WNYO, Family Channel, and CHRGD. French Canada had access through Yoopa, Ukraine through PLUSPLUS, New Zealand via TVNZ Kidzone, Singapore on Okto, the Middle East on Spacetoon, South Africa's eToonz, and Pakistan's Kids Zone.
Episode list
The series comprises 39 episodes following the French production sequence as listed by Télé Star. The U.S. broadcast dates correspond to airings on Discovery Family (DFC) and releases on Netflix. International broadcast schedules differ.
Home media
In 2018, Shout! Factory Kids acquired the North American DVD distribution rights for Zak Storm through an agreement with ZAG Heroez. Other distributors handling home media include Koch Media for Italy, Eden Germany GmbH for Germany, and Dazzler Media for the United Kingdom.
Region 1
For audiences in the United States and Canada, four DVDs covering season one were issued featuring both English and French language tracks.
The initial DVD, titled Volume 1, was launched on 13 March 2018. Following that, Volume 2 was released on 6 June 2018.
Between the release of Volumes 2 and 3, Zagtoon concentrated its efforts on producing additional episodes of Miraculous Ladybug and the rebooted series Denver & Cliff. The third installment, Volume 3, became available on 17 May 2019.
After another interval focused on other projects, the fourth DVD, Volume 4, was published on 30 January 2020.
Subsequent to Volume 4, Zagtoon discontinued Region 1 DVD releases for Zak Storm, redirecting their attention primarily towards Region 2 markets.
Main series
| Season | DVD Title | Number of Episodes | Aspect Ratio | Total Duration | Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Zak Storm Super Pirate Volume 1" | N/A | N/A | 208 Minutes | 13 March 2018 | |
| "Zak Storm Super Pirate Volume 2" | N/A | N/A | 208 Minutes | 6 June 2018 | ||
| "Zak Storm Super Pirate Volume 3" | N/A | N/A | 208 Minutes | 17 May 2019 | ||
| "Zak Storm Super Pirate Volume 4" | N/A | N/A | 182 Minutes | 30 January 2020 | ||
Region 2
In the United Kingdom, the initial DVD release for season one, titled Zak Storm Volume 1: Origins & Other Stories, became available on 1 July 2019. This was followed by Zak Storm Volume 2: A Jellyfish of Legend and Other Stories on 7 October 2019, and then Zak Storm Volume 3: The Labyrinth of the Minotaur and Other Stories on 2 March 2020.
The first three DVDs were distributed by Spirit Entertainment, which later withdrew from the project after the third volume. Afterward, Dazzler Media assumed distribution duties, issuing Zak Storm Volume 4: Island of the Lost Storm & Other Stories on 3 August 2020 and Zak Storm Volume 5: Viking Connexion & Other Stories on 5 October 2020.
Main Series
| Season | DVD Title | Number of Episodes | Aspect Ratio | Total Duration | Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zak Storm Volume 1: Origins & Other Stories | 8 | 16:9 | 3 hours 28 minutes | 1 July 2019 | |
| Zak Storm Volume 2: A Jellyfish of Legend and Other Stories | 8 | 16:9 | 3 hours 28 minutes | 7 October 2019 | ||
| Zak Storm Volume 3: The Labyrinth of the Minotaur and Other Stories | 8 | 16:9 | 3 hours 28 minutes | 2 March 2020 | ||
| Zak Storm Volume 4: Island of the Lost Storm & Other Stories | 8 | 16:9 | 3 hours 28 minutes | 3 August 2020 | ||
| Zak Storm Volume 5: Viking Connexion & Other Stories | 8 | 16:9 | 3 hours 28 minutes | 5 October 2020 | ||
| 2 | Unknown | |||||
| Unknown | ||||||
| Unknown | ||||||