Mainframe Studios
Mainframe Studios is a Canadian computer animation studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia, renowned for pioneering fully computer-generated television animation with its groundbreaking series ReBoot in 1994.[1] Founded in 1993 by Christopher Brough, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell, Gavin Blair, and John Grace, the studio has produced over 1,000 half-hours of television content and more than 60 feature-length projects, including direct-to-video films and specials.[2][1] Initially established as Mainframe Entertainment Inc., the company quickly gained acclaim for ReBoot, the world's first fully CGI-animated series, which aired on YTV and ABC, and for its work on Beast Wars: Transformers, an early hit in the CGI space.[1] Over the years, it expanded into partnerships with major brands, delivering extensive animated content for franchises like Barbie, including dozens of movies and series such as Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures on Netflix.[3] Other notable productions include Octonauts: Above & Beyond for multiple seasons and specials, YouTube shorts for CoComelon in collaboration with Moonbug Entertainment, Unicorn Academy for Spin Master on Netflix, and Super Kitties for Disney Junior.[3] The studio underwent several ownership changes, operating as Rainmaker Entertainment from 2007 until 2020, when it reverted to the Mainframe name under WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. following a merger with Frederator Networks in 2017.[2] WOW! was acquired by Genius Brands International, announced in 2021 and completed in 2022 (rebranded as Kartoon Studios, Inc. in 2023), making Mainframe a key division focused on CGI animation for global partners.[4][5][6] As of 2025, Mainframe continues to drive significant revenue growth for Kartoon Studios, with a production pipeline extending through 2027 for clients including Spin Master, Sony Kids, and Disney, marking a strong rebound and ongoing profitability in its animation unit.[7][8][9]History
Mainframe Entertainment era (1993–2007)
Mainframe Entertainment was founded in 1993 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, by producers Christopher Brough and John Grace alongside animators Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell, and Gavin Blair, who had previously collaborated on computer animation projects in the United Kingdom. The studio initially concentrated on developing computer-generated imagery (CGI) techniques for television, leveraging Vancouver's favorable tax incentives and proximity to Los Angeles to establish a production hub. Starting with a small team, the company quickly expanded its facilities in the mid-1990s to accommodate growing demand for CGI content, increasing its workforce from around 20 employees in 1994 to over 300 by the late 1990s as it scaled operations for multiple series productions.[1] A pivotal milestone came in 1994 with the launch of ReBoot, the studio's flagship project and the world's first fully computer-animated half-hour television series. Produced in collaboration with Alliance Communications and BLT Productions, the initial 13-episode season cost approximately $10 million to create, utilizing proprietary software to render complex 3D environments and characters within a digital city called Mainframe. Aired on Canada's YTV network starting September 10, 1994, ReBoot revolutionized the animation landscape by proving CGI could sustain engaging, broadcast-quality storytelling for children and adults alike, influencing subsequent industry shifts toward digital production and earning Mainframe international acclaim.[10][11] The studio's success propelled it to public status on June 17, 1997, when it listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "MAE," raising gross proceeds of $29.25 million through an initial public offering that valued the company at around $100 million and funded further technological investments and content development. This financial boost supported ongoing expansions, including enhanced rendering farms and additional studio space in Vancouver to handle high-volume CGI workflows. By the early 2000s, Mainframe had solidified its reputation with key projects like Beast Wars: Transformers (1996–1999), a CGI-animated series co-produced with Hasbro that blended action-adventure with innovative beast-mode transformations, contributing to the studio's first profitable year in fiscal 2000 with $1.4 million in earnings from multiple deliveries.[12][13] In September 2003, IDT Entertainment acquired a controlling 62% stake in Mainframe for an undisclosed amount, integrating it as a subsidiary under Starz Inc. (then part of IDT Corporation) and fostering partnerships for distribution and co-production of CGI content. This period from 2003 to 2007 saw Mainframe leverage these alliances for projects emphasizing its CGI expertise, including extensions of successful franchises, while maintaining operational independence in Vancouver. The arrangement enhanced resource sharing for visual effects and animation pipelines, though it also introduced corporate oversight amid fluctuating market demands for digital media.[14][15] The era concluded with Mainframe's acquisition by Vancouver-based Rainmaker Income Fund on July 20, 2006, when Rainmaker purchased the 62% stake from Starz for $13.8 million, with the full deal valuing the company at approximately $22.3 million after acquiring the remaining shares in August 2006. This transaction, completed by July 31, 2006, merged Mainframe's animation assets with Rainmaker's post-production capabilities, generating combined revenues of $19 million for Mainframe in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. The integration led to a rebranding as Rainmaker Entertainment in 2007, marking the end of Mainframe's independent phase.[16][17][18]Rainmaker period (2007–2020)
In 2007, following the acquisition of Mainframe Entertainment by Rainmaker Income Fund, the studio was restructured and renamed Rainmaker Animation, marking a shift toward expanded computer-generated animation production under the Rainmaker umbrella.[19] This move integrated Mainframe's CGI expertise with Rainmaker's post-production capabilities, enabling the company to focus on feature films and television while leveraging Vancouver's growing animation ecosystem.[16] During the early years of the Rainmaker era, the studio prioritized theatrical and direct-to-video features, exemplified by co-productions like Escape from Planet Earth (2013), a sci-fi comedy developed in partnership with The Weinstein Company to target family audiences with high-budget CGI visuals.[20] Similarly, Ratchet & Clank (2016) represented a major international collaboration, co-produced with Blockade Entertainment and tied to Sony's video game franchise, aiming to blend gaming IP with animated storytelling for global theatrical release.[21] These projects highlighted Rainmaker's business strategy of securing U.S.-based partnerships to distribute content worldwide, though they required significant investment in 3D modeling and rendering pipelines.[22] By 2016, Rainmaker Entertainment underwent a major rebranding to Rainmaker Studios for its long-form production division, coinciding with a transformative merger that addressed operational strains.[23] The company merged with New York-based Frederator Networks—a leading digital animation outfit known for 2D web series—and acquired Ezrin-Hirsh Entertainment, forming WOW! Unlimited Media as the parent entity to streamline kids' and youth content creation across platforms.[24] This corporate restructuring featured a dual-class share system to meet Canadian regulations, with Fred Seibert as chief creative officer and largest shareholder, Michael Hirsh as CEO and chairman, and Bob Ezrin as vice chairman; it also eliminated $11.6 million in convertible debentures, alleviating financial pressures from prior feature investments.[25] The merger facilitated expansion into hybrid 2D/3D workflows by combining Rainmaker's 3D CGI strengths with Frederator's 2D digital expertise, enabling cost-effective series production for streaming and YouTube.[26] International partnerships, such as those with U.S. entities like Sony and Weinstein, continued to drive co-productions, while the WOW! structure opened doors to cross-border distribution deals, though it involved studio consolidations to integrate operations across Vancouver, New York, and Los Angeles.[23] By 2020, these changes positioned Rainmaker Studios as a diversified animation provider within WOW!, setting the stage for further evolution.Revival and modern era (2020–present)
In March 2020, Rainmaker Studios, a division of WOW! Unlimited Media, was consolidated under the revived Mainframe Studios brand, marking a return to the original name established in 1993 and emphasizing the company's focus on television animation production.[27][28] This rebranding unified operations under Mainframe Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, while retaining WOW! Unlimited Media as the parent entity.[29] In 2021, Mainframe Studios expanded its capabilities by developing a dedicated 2D animation pipeline to diversify its content offerings beyond its traditional CG focus.[30] This initiative supported the studio's first 2D production, The Guava Juice Show, a YouTube Originals series that premiered in December 2021 and follows the adventures of teenager Roi Fabito and his friends.[31][32] Later that year, in August 2021, the studio established a virtual production facility in Toronto to extend its Eastern Canadian presence and accommodate remote workflows amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[33][34] This hybrid model enabled flexible staffing and contributed to workforce growth from approximately 400 to over 650 employees since 2020.[35] By 2022, WOW! Unlimited Media was acquired by Genius Brands International, which rebranded as Kartoon Studios, positioning Mainframe as a key production arm for global animation content.[36] In October 2025, PBS KIDS announced Phoebe & Jay, a new literacy-focused animated series for ages 3-5 co-produced by Mainframe Studios and Phoebe & Jay Productions, set to premiere on February 2, 2026.[37][38] As of November 2025, Mainframe has a robust production pipeline with multi-year contracts extending through 2027, including series for partners like Disney, Netflix, and Sony, reflecting adaptations to industry shifts like virtual collaboration and international project partnerships. In Q3 2025, Mainframe's revenue increased 45% year-over-year, contributing to the company's overall growth and profitability in its animation division.[9] The studio continues to operate primarily as a work-from-home environment to support diverse talent recruitment and global outreach.[39]Productions
Television series
Mainframe Studios has produced a wide array of television series since its inception as Mainframe Entertainment in 1993, spanning groundbreaking computer-generated imagery (CGI) in the 1990s to contemporary hybrid animation formats targeted at preschool and tween audiences. These productions often feature co-productions with major networks and toy companies, such as Hasbro for Transformers tie-ins and Mattel for Barbie, enabling international distribution through platforms like YTV in Canada, ABC in the US, and later streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. The studio's TV output emphasizes adventurous storytelling with educational or fantastical elements, appealing primarily to children and families, and has garnered recognition for technical innovation and narrative quality. Key television series produced by Mainframe Studios include the following representative examples:| Series | Premiere Date | Network/Platform | Seasons/Episodes | Target Audience | Notable Elements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReBoot | September 10, 1994 | YTV (Canada), ABC (US) | 4 seasons / 47 episodes | Children and teens | Pioneering fully CGI-animated series set in a digital world, defending against viruses; won three consecutive Gemini Awards for Best Animated Program or Series (1995–1997).[40][41] |
| Beast Wars: Transformers | September 16, 1996 | Syndicated (US), YTV (Canada) | 3 seasons / 52 episodes | Children | CGI reboot of the Transformers franchise with beast-mode robots on prehistoric Earth; co-produced with Hasbro for toy line integration; received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation (1997).[42][43] |
| Beast Machines: Transformers | September 18, 1999 | Fox Kids (US), YTV (Canada) | 2 seasons / 26 episodes | Children | Sequel to Beast Wars featuring organic-mechanical transformations in a dystopian Cybertron; CGI animation tied to Hasbro toys; international syndication in over 50 countries.[44][45] |
| ReBoot: The Guardian Code | March 30, 2018 | YTV (Canada), Netflix (global) | 2 seasons / 30 episodes | Children and teens (ages 8–14) | Hybrid live-action/CGI reboot of the original ReBoot, following teens as cyber guardians; co-produced with Nelvana; emphasizes cybersecurity themes with digital adventures. |
| Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures | May 3, 2018 | Netflix (US), YTV (Canada) | 5 seasons / 52 episodes | Girls (ages 6–11) | Hybrid 2D/3D CGI following Barbie and her family's daily adventures; long-term co-production with Mattel Television, distributed globally on Netflix; emphasizes themes of friendship and creativity linked to Barbie toy franchise.[46] |
| Octonauts: Above & Beyond | September 7, 2021 | Netflix | 4 seasons / 47 episodes (as of 2024) | Preschool (ages 3–6) | CGI-animated extension of the Octonauts franchise exploring land and sea habitats; multiple seasons and specials co-produced with Sony Pictures Television; focuses on environmental education and animal rescue.[3] |
| Super Kitties | January 3, 2023 | Disney Junior | 3 seasons / 66+ episodes (as of 2025) | Preschool (ages 2–7) | CGI series about kitten superheroes solving problems; co-produced for Disney; promotes teamwork and problem-solving with musical elements.[47] |
| Unicorn Academy | November 2, 2023 | Netflix | 2 seasons / 19 episodes (as of 2024) | Girls (ages 6–11) | CGI fantasy series about students bonding with unicorns at a magical academy; co-produced with Spin Master; themes of friendship, magic, and adventure.[48] |
| The Guava Juice Show | June 4, 2022 | YouTube (YouTube Kids app) | 2 seasons / 26 episodes | Children (ages 6–12) | First 2D-animated series from the studio, based on YouTuber Roi Fabito's character; follows teen inventor Roi and friends in multiverse challenges; co-produced with YouTube Originals for digital-first distribution.[49][31] |