‘Sun Chaser’ premieres June 22 after international animation win

From Annecy winner to global debut: “Sun Chaser” premieres June 22 with a star-studded Filipino cast.

After earning one of animation’s most prestigious international honors, Filipino animated series “Sun Chaser” is finally set to make its public debut on June 22.

The fantasy adventure-comedy series, created by Oscar-nominated animator Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion, recently unveiled its all-star voice cast ahead of the online premiere. Leading the lineup is Manny Jacinto as Jordan Santos, a teenager whose summer vacation takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he is the heir to an ancient legacy and must become the next Spirit Guardian.

Joining Jacinto are Liza Soberano as Angie and Queen Marisol, Charo Santos-Concio as Lola, Eugene Cordero as Archie, Dingdong Dantes as Necrofrost, JR De Guzman as JR, AC Bonifacio as Zoe, KD Estrada as La Bamba, and Zia Dantes as Sessa.

The upcoming series blends modern coming-of-age storytelling with Philippine mythology. Jordan’s journey takes him across the fantastical Sea of a Million Islands alongside supernatural companions, including a shape-shifting manananggal and a duwende, as they battle forces threatening the balance between the human and spirit worlds.

Interest in the project surged after “Sun Chaser” won the Animation du Monde Prize at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA), one of the animation industry’s most respected platforms. The recognition placed the independently produced Filipino series on the global animation radar even before its official launch.

Produced by Toon City Animation and Playlab Animation Studio, the project has been praised for showcasing Filipino folklore and cultural identity through world-class animation and storytelling.

Before its online debut, the pilot episode will screen at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival from June 21 to 27. The first episode will then be released worldwide for free on YouTube on June 22, allowing audiences everywhere to experience the series that has already earned international acclaim.

A Kickstarter campaign will also launch alongside the premiere to help fund the remainder of the first season, as the creators hope to turn their award-winning pilot into a full-fledged animated adventure.

For Philippine animation, the release marks more than just another series premiere—it is a chance for a homegrown story rooted in Filipino myths and monsters to reach a global audience after already proving its potential on one of the world’s biggest animation stages.

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