Watch Next Media has officially released the first public trailer for Dungeons & Kittens, a forthcoming children’s animated television series originating from France. Based on the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) of the same name created by Clément de Ruyter and published by Edge Studio, the project adapts the whimsical, high-stakes universe for a younger audience. Scheduled for an international release in early 2027, the series is already generating significant interest within the global animation community for its distinctive indie aesthetic, rich world-building, and high-profile broadcasting partnerships across Europe.
Main Facts and Narrative Premise
The animated series centers on an ensemble of four exiled feline adventurers: Precious, Fib, Ruffles, and Suds. In the lore of the universe, the Kingdom of Cats serves as an impenetrable, cozy sanctuary perched high above a perilous forest. Governed by the indolent and strict King Walter, the kingdom is exceptionally difficult to enter but remarkably easy to leave. Any disturbance to the monarch’s peace and quiet results in immediate banishment.
Following a major misunderstanding, the four young kittens are wrongfully expelled from their home. To earn their reinstatement, they embark on a high-stakes quest to locate a legendary fallen meteorite treasure deemed "splendiferous" enough to appease King Walter. Along their journey, the protagonists must traverse post-apocalyptic ruins that serve as the remnants of forgotten human civilizations. The narrative introduces numerous obstacles, including treacherous hidden traps, hostile stray dogs, and the fundamental challenge of learning how to work together despite their differing personalities.
Production Team and Creative Leadership
Dungeons & Kittens, alternatively titled Donjons & Chatons in French, brings together a seasoned European creative team. The series was created by Clément de Ruyter and Mélanie Duval, blending De Ruyter’s original conceptualization of the tabletop role-playing game with Duval’s narrative expertise.
Episodic direction is led by Jeremy Guiter, whose previous credits include the widely recognized animated series Nate Is Late. The ambitious production is a collaborative multi-studio effort led by Watch Next Media in association with Melusine Studio, Lunanime, and Studio Zmei. This cross-border partnership pools resources from France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and beyond to achieve a high visual standard typically reserved for premium theatrical animation, translated here into a serialized television format.
Chronology and Release Timeline
The journey of Dungeons & Kittens from a niche tabletop role-playing game to a major international television series highlights the growing appetite for adaptations of tabletop properties.
- 2023–2024: Following the successful reception of Edge Studio’s tabletop role-playing game, conceptual development for a screen adaptation began. Production companies Watch Next Media and their co-producers recognized the commercial and creative potential of translating the game’s post-apocalyptic feline lore into an episodic format.
- Mid-2025: Broadcasters formally commissioned the series, securing financial backing and distribution guarantees. France Télévisions and the BBC stepped forward as primary commissioners, integrating the series into their respective children’s programming slates, notably France TV’s digital and linear platforms.
- November 2026: Watch Next Media unveiled the official worldwide trailer, offering audiences the first comprehensive look at the animation style, character dynamics, and post-apocalyptic setting.
- Early 2027 (Projected): The official global premiere is scheduled to air across multiple networks and platforms, including France TV, the BBC, and the Okoo streaming platform, with additional international broadcasters expected to announce local air dates.
Broadcasting and Distribution Strategy
The distribution framework for Dungeons & Kittens relies on a robust coalition of public service broadcasters and dedicated children’s media platforms. Commissioned primarily by France Télévisions, the series has also secured placement on the BBC’s networks in the United Kingdom and the Okoo digital platform.
This multi-channel distribution strategy ensures that the series will reach wide demographic segments across Europe upon its debut in early 2027. Negotiations for additional international territories are currently underway, reflecting a broader industry trend where European-produced animation successfully secures global syndication by emphasizing high production values, universal themes of friendship and resilience, and non-verbal or easily translatable comedic elements.
Adaptation from Tabletop to Television
The transition of Dungeons & Kittens from a tabletop role-playing game to a narrative television series required significant structural adaptation. While the original TTRPG invites players to create their own feline characters and navigate sandbox-style dungeon crawls, the animated series establishes a fixed narrative continuity.
By focusing on four specific protagonists—Precious, Fib, Ruffles, and Suds—the creators establish a clear emotional core that resonates with younger viewers. The source material’s tabletop mechanics, such as tactical problem-solving and resource management in a ruined world, are translated into visual storytelling devices. The kittens must rely on ingenuity, teamwork, and physical agility to overcome environmental hazards that mirror the dice rolls and character stats of the original game.
Industry Implications and Market Analysis
The production and impending release of Dungeons & Kittens reflect several key shifts in the contemporary animation landscape. First, it underscores the rising value of intellectual properties originating outside of traditional comic books and video games. Tabletop role-playing games, long viewed as niche hobbies, are increasingly recognized by media executives as fertile ground for expansive narrative universes.
Second, the collaboration between multiple European studios—Watch Next Media, Melusine Studio, Lunanime, and Studio Zmei—demonstrates the viability and necessity of co-production models in modern European animation. By pooling financial incentives, tax credits, and specialized artistic labor across national borders, mid-sized European studios can produce content that competes visually and narratively with output from major American conglomerates.
Finally, the early embrace of the series by public service giants such as the BBC and France Télévisions validates the commercial viability of original, creator-driven preschool and children’s content. As streaming platforms and traditional broadcasters alike search for distinctive properties that can anchor family-friendly viewing blocks, high-concept indie animation projects like Dungeons & Kittens are well-positioned to capture audience share.
As the industry counts down to the early 2027 premiere, the initial response to the trailer indicates strong foundational interest from both fans of the original tabletop game and a broader audience drawn to its unique blend of post-apocalyptic adventure and charming feline protagonists.
