‘Sun Chaser’ Gets Its First Trailer Ahead Of Next Week’s YouTube Pilot Drop

Twelve months after taking home the Animation du Monde Prize at last year’s Annecy, Sun Chaser is preparing to release its first episode on YouTube during this year’s event.

Creators Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion have released the first trailer for their independently produced animated fantasy series, offering audiences a new look at the project that has steadily gained momentum since its recognition at Annecy last summer.

Set in a world inspired by Philippine mythology and culture, Sun Chaser follows a young hero on a journey through a landscape shaped by ancient legends, spirits, and supernatural forces. The series has been in development for several years and has become one of the most closely watched independent animation projects to emerge from the Filipino and Filipino-American creative community.

The production features an impressive voice cast for an indie series, including Manny Jacinto, Liza Soberano, Charo Santos-Concio, Dingdong Dantes, and other Filipino and Filipino-American performers.

The trailer arrives ahead of the public debut of the series’ first episode, which will premiere free on YouTube on June 22. The creators will also launch a Kickstarter campaign alongside the episode release, seeking support to finance future installments and continue expanding the world of Sun Chaser.

Pontillas and Badion first announced the project in 2024, positioning it as an ambitious creator-driven endeavor outside the traditional studio system, in which they both have extensive experience. Pontillas’ credits include work at Disney, Blue Sky Studios, and Riot Games, while Badion has worked across film, television, and game animation.