CBBC secures deal with Serious Kids for "Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter"

CBBC has acquired the broadcast rights to "Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter" from UK distributor Serious Kids, joining BBC Alba who are transmitting a Gaelic version of the serial. ‘We are delighted to conclude this deal with CBBC. This is the third epic serialized title that CBBC has acquired from Serious Kids, which to us signifies the increased importance of this format in children’s lives as well as adult’s and we hope to acquire more content in this genre," Genevieve Dexter Founder & CEO of Serious Kids, said.

The series was produced by NHK, NHK Enterprises and Dwango in collaboration with Studio Ghibli and The Astrid Lindgren Company, with animation created by renowned animation studio Polygon Pictures. Serious Kids holds worldwide distribution rights outside of Japan and the Nordics.

"Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter" is the 26-part story of a 10-year-old girl born on a stormy night in a mountain fort, surrounded by her parents and a loving band of robbers. She grows to be a strong and active girl, and discovers that the forest around her is both beautiful and a frightening place inhabited by strange creatures. She befriends the son of her father’s rival and so begins the drama of her friendship and family loyalties. We watch as she explores and understands these key factors in her life, and discovers that seemingly irresolvable choices can finally be made with the help of love and understanding.

The property is based on the well-loved 1981 novel, "Ronja, The Robber’s Daughter," by acclaimed writer Astrid Lindgren. The original version of the animated series aired in Japan on NHK to great public and critical acclaim. Serious Kids, Studio Ghibli and The Astrid Lindgren Company then oversaw the creation of the English version which won the International Emmy Kids Awards for best animated series in 2017. "Ronja is a household name in Germany and the Nordics, and we hope that the title will now be enjoyed by a wider public in the UK, through the CBBC platforms for kids content in the UK," said Hans Jaerholm from the Astrid Lindgren Company.

"I am delighted to see Ronja on CBBC. With Ronja, The Robber’s Daughter, the great old dame Astrid seems to be telling children to believe in their own power to grow… all the while telling both children and adults alike to respect each other and to attain freedom in the true sense of the word. Nothing will bring me more pleasure than having those same messages played to the CBBC audience," said Goro Miyazaki, Director.