SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG
SERU Animation is a German animation production company founded in 2011 that produces 2D and CGI animated feature films and TV series for European family entertainment, serving public broadcasters, theatrical distributors, and world sales agents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersLudwigsburg, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG does
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG is a German animation production company founded in 2011 and headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, with a second creative studio in Hannover. The company produces 2D and CGI animated feature films and TV series for the European family entertainment market, with a portfolio built on established children's book franchises including Raven The Little Rascal (three feature films plus a 52-episode series), Rabbit Academy (two CGI feature films plus a series in production for 2025-2026 delivery), The Elfkins/Heinzels (two CGI feature films, the second released December 24, 2024), Petronella Apfelmus (2D series), and My Fairy Troublemaker (CGI feature). The studio also produced two public-health short films for the Baden-Württemberg state government and the HD re-version of the classic Simsala Grimm series.
The company's core technology is a full animation production pipeline covering 2D pre-production, design, and animation, plus CGI rendering and compositing, complemented by re-versioning and HD-updating services for legacy series. Operationally, SERU runs a small permanent team of approximately 21 employees (plus freelancers) and is an IHK-certified training company, with managing director and founder Sebastian Runschke also serving on the advisory board of the Animation Media Cluster Region Stuttgart (AMCRS).
SERU's revenue model is B2B and project-based. The company operates as producer and co-producer on animated features and series, generating revenue through equity stakes in productions, co-production fees, and service fees for European and internationally financed animation projects. A secondary revenue stream comes from licensing animated IPs to broadcasters (TV rights), theatrical distributors (cinema), home entertainment publishers, and world sales agents for international distribution. The company works with a deep bench of European public broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, NDR, SWR, HR, ORF, KiKA), German theatrical distributors (LEONINE, Tobis), and world sales agents (Global Screen, Sola Media, Beta Film, Gebeka Films for France), supplementing production financing with recurring project funding from regional German and European film funds (MFG, Filmstiftung NRW, HessenFilm, Nordmedia, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MOIN, FFA, DFFF, MEDIA Creative Europe). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; all projects are custom co-productions with individually negotiated financing structures.
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG
- Legal name
- SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://seru-animation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SERU Animation is a German animation production company founded in 2011 that produces 2D and CGI animated feature films and TV series for European family entertainment, serving public broadcasters, theatrical distributors, and world sales agents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)
Keywords
Where SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ludwigsburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Co-production and Production Services: SERU serves as producer and co-producer on animated feature films and TV series, generating revenue through equity stakes in productions, co-production fees, and service fees for European and internationally financed animation projects.
- Licensing and IP Exploitation: Revenue from licensing animated IPs to broadcasters (TV rights), theatrical distributors (cinema), home entertainment publishers, and world sales agents for international distribution.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SERU Animation is an animation production studio that develops, finances, and produces 2D and CGI animated feature films and TV series for the European family entertainment market. The company acquires and develops animation projects from script through theatrical release or broadcast, securing co-production partnerships with European broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, NDR, SWR, KiKA, ORF), theatrical distributors (LEONINE, Tobis), and world sales agents (Global Screen, Sola Media, Beta Film), and also re-versions classic series (e.g., Simsala Grimm) into HD.
Product overview
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG is an animation production company specializing in high-quality animated cartoons, CGI feature films, and 2D TV series. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in Ludwigsburg with a creative studio in Hannover. The portfolio includes multiple film franchises: the Rabbit Academy/CGI series (including Guardians of the Golden Egg, Mission Eggpossible, and an upcoming series), The Elfkins/Heinzels CGI films (including Baking a Difference and the 2024 sequel The Super Elfkins), Raven The Little Rascal/2D series (three feature films from 2012-2019 plus a TV series), Petronella Applewitch 2D series, My Fairy Troublemaker CGI film, Simsala Grimm 2D series, and educational short films including Äffle & Pferdle coronavirus-related shorts. The company provides end-to-end production and co-production services from script development to theatrical release or broadcast.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Raven The Little Rascal 2D-animated feature film released 2012. First installment in the Raven The Little Rascal franchise. Story about teamwork and acceptance based on books by Nele Moost and Annet Rudolph. World premiere at ITFS 2012.
- Raven The Little Rascal 2 – The Big Race 2D-animated feature film (78 min) released 2015. Second installment in the Raven The Little Rascal series. Family entertainment for preschool/family audiences.
- Raven The Little Rascal 3 – Hunt for the Lost Treasure 2D-animated feature film (73 min) released 2019. Third installment in the Raven The Little Rascal franchise.
- Raven The Little Rascal – The Series 2D TV series (52x12 min) released 2016-2017. Based on the children's book franchise. Premiered on KiKA December 1, 2016.
- Rabbit Academy – Guardians of the Golden Egg CG animated feature film (76 min, 2K/HD) released 2017. Family entertainment for children aged 6-11. Based on classic book by Fritz Koch-Gotha and Albert Sixtus. World premiere at Berlin International Film Festival.
- Rabbit Academy – Mission Eggpossible CGI feature film released March 17, 2022. Family entertainment for children aged 5-10. Sequel to 'Rabbit Academy – Guardians of the Golden Egg'. German title: 'Die Häschenschule 2 – Der Große Eierklau'.
- Rabbit Academy – The Series 2D-animated TV series (52x11 minutes) currently in production with delivery scheduled for 2025-2026. Family entertainment for children aged 6-10. Three city rabbits end up at a magical rabbit boarding school deep in the forest. Co-produced with French studio 2Minutes.
- The Elfkins – Baking a Difference CG-animated feature film (approx. 78 min, 2K/HD). Based on the famous German legend of the Heinzelmännchen of Cologne. Family entertainment.
- The Super Elfkins (Die Heinzels 2) CGI feature film (76 min) scheduled for release December 24, 2024. Sequel to 'The Elfkins – Baking a Difference'. Family entertainment for children aged 5-11.
- My Fairy Troublemaker CGI feature film (75 min) released October 9, 2022. Family entertainment for children aged 5-11. Story of 12-year-old Maxie and fairy Violetta. Co-produced with Ella Filmproduktion GmbH and Fabrique d'Images (Luxembourg).
- Petronella Applewitch – Series 2D animated series (39x11 min) released 2020-2021. Family entertainment for children aged 4-8. Based on bestselling book series by Sabine Städing and Sabine Büchner.
- Simsala Grimm (Re-version) 2D TV series (52x25 min) revised HD version released 2020. Family entertainment for children aged 6-10. Characters Yoyo and Doc Croc plunge into Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
- Äffle & Pferdle und die Jagd nach dem Coronavirus 2D short film (4 min) released 2021. Educational public health short film by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education supporting schools on self-testing and mask-wearing.
- Äffle & Pferdle – Das Impfperium schlägt zurück 2D animated short film (3:50 min) released 2022. Public health short film by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Social Affairs promoting the vaccination campaign.
Quantifiable outcome
- Rabbit Academy – Guardians of the Golden Egg: World premiere at Berlin International Film Festival; multiple festival screenings and 4 audience awards.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 2MinutescoreFrench animation studio 2Minutes is a co-producer on SERU Animation's Petronella Apfelmus series (2020–2021, 39×11 min) and Rabbit Academy – The Series (in production, delivery 2025–2026, 52×11 min). Jean-Michel Spiner of 2Minutes is listed as co-producer alongside Sebastian Runschke.
- arx animacoreAnimation studio arx anima (represented by Dunja Bernatzky & Kris Staber) is a co-producer on Rabbit Academy – Mission Eggpossible (2022, CGI feature, ~76 min) and Rabbit Academy – Guardians of the Golden Egg (2017).
- LEONINE DistributioncoreLEONINE Distribution serves as German theatrical distributor and co-producer for the Rabbit Academy franchise (Guardian of the Golden Egg, Mission Eggpossible) and is co-producer on Rabbit Academy – The Series. Also distributes Raven The Little Rascal films with Gebeka Films for France.
- Tobis FilmcoreTobis Film is the German theatrical distributor for The Elfkins – Baking a Difference and The Super Elfkins (in production, premiere 24.12.2024).
- Global ScreencoreGlobal Screen is the world sales agent for Petronella Apfelmus series (2020–2021) and Rabbit Academy – The Series (in production). They sub-license SERU's co-produced content to international broadcasters and streaming platforms.
- Sola MediacoreSola Media is the world sales agent for Rabbit Academy – Mission Eggpossible (2022) and Raven The Little Rascal 3 – Hunt for the Lost Treasure (2019).
- Beta FilmcoreBeta Film is the world distributor for Raven The Little Rascal – The Series (52×12 min, 2016–2017), handling international licensing to broadcasters and streaming platforms.
- Animation Media Cluster Region Stuttgart (AMCRS)coreSERU Animation is a member and active participant in the Animation Media Cluster (AMCRS), a regional animation industry cluster. Sebastian Runschke serves on the AMCRS advisory board, contributing to the sustainable design and further development of the local animation industry in the Stuttgart/Baden-Württemberg region.
- IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) StuttgartminorSERU Animation is an IHK-certified training company (IHK-Ausbildungsbetrieb), providing vocational training to young talent in the animation and media production field at its Ludwigsburg location.
- LANG-Film MedienproduktionminorLANG-Film Medienproduktion is the producer for the public health short films 'Äffle & Pferdle – Das Impfperium schlägt zurück' (2022) and 'Äffle & Pferdle und die Jagd nach dem Coronavirus' (2021). Sebastian Runschke serves as Executive Producer on behalf of SERU Animation.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Triggerfish Animation Studios: South African animation studio producing CGI features and series with European and international co-producers (Kizazi Moto, Seal Team). Comparable independent animation studio pursuing global co-financing and world sales.
- Little Dream Entertainment: German animation producer of family features (Luis and the Aliens, My Father's Dragon co-production involvement). Comparable emerging European animation producer targeting theatrical family audiences.
- Trick Kompany / Trickompany: German animation studio producing children's series and features with public broadcaster partners. Comparable emerging player in the German-language family animation production market.
Broad incumbents
- Tobis Film: Established German film distributor handling The Elfkins theatrical releases. Comparable as a long-standing German distributor-producer with co-financing and theatrical release capabilities.
- Studio 100 Media: Larger German/Belgian family entertainment group owning and operating animation IP (Maya the Bee, Blinky Bill) across production, distribution, and licensing. Comparable in market positioning but with materially greater scale and vertically integrated distribution.
- LEONINE Distribution: Major German theatrical and home entertainment distributor that partners with SERU on Rabbit Academy. Comparable as a counterpart in the value chain, also develops and acquires animated content for German theatrical release.
Direct peers
- Cartoon Saloon: Irish animation studio producing hand-drawn feature films (Wolfwalkers, The Secret of Kells) with international co-production partners. Comparable in size, focus on auteur family animation, and festival-driven distribution strategy.
- Studio 100 Animation: German/Belgian animation studio producing 2D and CGI feature films and series based on children's IP (Maya the Bee, Heidi). Most direct comparable: similar European family animation focus, public broadcaster co-productions, and franchise-driven model.
- Lupus Films: UK-based independent animation studio producing CGI feature films and specials (The Snowman and the Snowdog, Ethel & Ernest) in partnership with Channel 4 and BBC. Directly comparable as a small-team European producer of premium animated family specials and features.
- Caligari Film- und Fernsehproduktions: German film and TV production company with animation projects for public broadcasters. Comparable as a German-based B2B production house working with ARD/ZDF on family and children's content.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG social profiles
Digital presenceSERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG
What does SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG do?
SERU Animation is an animation production studio that develops, finances, and produces 2D and CGI animated feature films and TV series for the European family entertainment market. The company acquires and develops animation projects from script through theatrical release or broadcast, securing co-production partnerships with European broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, NDR, SWR, KiKA, ORF), theatrical distributors (LEONINE, Tobis), and world sales agents (Global Screen, Sola Media, Beta Film), and also re-versions classic series (e.g., Simsala Grimm) into HD.
Is SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG a public or private company?
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG founded?
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG based?
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG is headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Co-production and Production Services are the primary driver. The others are licensing and IP Exploitation.
Who are SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Triggerfish Animation Studios, Little Dream Entertainment and Trick Kompany / Trickompany. Broad incumbents are Tobis Film, Studio 100 Media and LEONINE Distribution. Direct peers are Cartoon Saloon, Studio 100 Animation, Lupus Films and Caligari Film- und Fernsehproduktions.
Does SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG have an API?
No public API is recorded for SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG.
What industry is SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG in?
SERU Animation GmbH & Co. KG's product category is Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAH, Animated Feature Film Production, with a secondary code of MPADACAG, Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.