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We are thrilled to share that our game-changing animated series Karma’s World, has won the Award of Honor in the Primary Division of the at the 2023 Japan Prize. This is an awesome recognition for the series produced by 9 Story Media Group and Karma's World Entertainment, and animated by our Brown Bag Films crew, out of our Dublin and Bali studios. Receiving an Award of Honor for the 2023 Japan Prize marks a fantastic accomplishment for our captivating series and serves as a testament to the exceptional efforts of our team in crafting the show's authentic narratives, immersive universe, compelling characters, and catchy soundtrack.

The Japan Prize is an internationally renowned competition that recognizes outstanding educational content across various media platforms, including television, radio, and online. Since its inception in 1965, the Japan Prize has been a symbol of excellence in educational broadcasting, celebrating content that fosters learning, innovation, and cultural understanding among audiences of all ages.

The Japan Prize announced the winning programs on Tuesday, September 5. Karma’s World was honoured with the Award of Honor in the Primary Division category for ‘Winston’s Worries’, episode five from season two of the series. In ‘Winston’s Worries,’ Winston’s determined to make his abuelita’s birthday special but gets overwhelmed while trying to film a tribute video. The Primary Division of the Japan Prize is specifically focused on content designed for younger learners, within the age range of 6 to 12. It serves as a platform for recognizing educational programs that engage, inspire, and educate young minds in meaningful ways. Taking home the Award of Honor in this division is an incredible testament to the quality and impact of our series on the minds of young viewers.

Coming in first place in the Primary Division category was the series Pebble Hill (Wasia). Five other exceptional shows were also nominated as finalists in the category earlier this year, including Jasmin’s Two Homes (napafilms Oy), Architect A (AniSEED, VCRWORKS Inc.), Guillermina & Candelario My first moon (Fosfenos Media, Senal Colombia –RTVC), All-Round Champion Climbing (marblemedia), and Timmyland The Law And The Prime Minister (VPRO).

Karma’s World, which premiered on Netflix in 2021, is an animated series produced in partnership with 9 Story’s Emmy Award-winning Creative Affairs Group as well as Karma’s World Entertainment, Chris Bridges’ production company and animated by our award-winning studio Brown Bag Films. The series follows Karma Grant, an aspiring musical artist and rapper with big talent and an even bigger heart. Smart, resilient, and deeply empathetic, Karma pours her soul into songwriting, channeling her feelings into whip-smart rhymes with passion, courage and her signature brand of humor. In this series, Karma is only beginning to grasp the incredible emotional power that words and music can have. She doesn’t just want to share her music with the world…she wants to change the world with it! 

One of the goals of Karma’s World was to create a series for kids that celebrates diversity, breaks down stereotypes and promotes inclusion and acceptance. It is a tremendous honour to see the show receive an Award of Honor and be included amongst the many talented 2023 Japan Prize winners and finalists, a list of series that display an unwavering commitment to telling both inspiring and educational stories that are certain to leave a lasting impact on young minds.

“We’re excited to announce that Karma's World has won an Award of Honor in the Primary Division at this year's Japan Prize. Congratulations and thanks to the entire team involved, including Netflix, Karma's World Entertainment, our 9 Story Media Group family, and of course to our amazing Karma crew. From script to screen, crafting this show was a truly joyful journey, that has encompassed all the companies studios in Dublin, New York, Bali and Toronto, and has been a testament to cooperation between those studios.  This honor highlights the unwavering commitment and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this series to life. I am so proud of our exceptional team, you all rock!

—Bronagh O'Hanlon, Series Director on Karma's World

We want to extend a big congratulations to Chris Bridges, our 9 Story Family, our entire Karma’s World team and to our partners at Netflix on this monumentous achievement! We are so proud of all the amazing things our team has achieved bringing this series to life. And a giant shout out to all the 2023 Japan Prize winners and honourees.

This year the Japan Prize received 391 entries for Audiovisual Works and Proposal Pitches from 55 countries and regions in the world. Winners will be invited to Tokyo to present their works at the Japan Prize festival, which runs from November 20-23. The Grand Prix Japan Prize and the winners of the Proposal Pitch will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on November 23, 2023.

Learn more about this year’s Japan Prize winners and honourees click here.

You can stream all 4 seasons of Karma’s World now on Netflix!