Back in 2006 when Nimrod Avraham May had joined Disney as a marketing executive, he had pitched a unique idea to the company’s executives – to create a show featuring a coalition of interfaith heroes, united in their mission to protect the world. Despite unanimous acclaim within the room, the project failed to come to fruition. Fast forward to 2021, after founding his own studio in Israel, May brings God’s Gang – an animated series born from the very idea that once impressed executives within the halls of Disney.
God’s Gang is a 2D animated multicultural and multinational series from the studio of the same name, which brings together four extraordinary heroes from different faiths: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Through martial arts and various adventures, these characters exemplify the virtues of peace, kindness and unity, captivating audiences aged nine to 19 with its universal message.
Through its colourful visuals and spirited storytelling, the series has swiftly gained online traction, with the 13-minute pilot amassing over three million views. However, during discussions with industry professionals, May encountered skepticism regarding the title’s potential marketability. Concerns arose about potential misinterpretations, as the name “God’s Gang” may imply religious content. He rejected this assumption, asserting, “The series is about action, adventure and good vibes. We don’t talk about religion and faith. We tell the story of friendship, fellowship, coexistence, love, kindness and compassion.”
Nonetheless, creating content which has any reference to religion and faith poses challenges; a major one being the need to avoid offending individuals’ sentiments. But May holds a different perspective. “It’s not just about how to not hurt people who believe in a faith or a religion. It’s also about making sure that the show’s content, dialogues, interactions and design leave a positive impact on the kids who watch it,” he said.
Putting together a team and a counsel
In 2021, as May embarked on crafting the universe and characters of God’s Gang, he swiftly recognised the magnitude of the endeavour and the necessity of assembling a capable team. He on-boarded Ehud Landsberg (Transformers: Cyberverse, Vampirina) as the director, Ronen Shani (Zack and Quack) as executive producer and Rob Kutner (Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show, Angry Birds, Ben 10) as head writer. Acknowledging the delicate balance required when exploring themes of faith, he brought in interfaith consultants, counsellors and pedagogues. Together, they worked on each character’s psychological profile and the interpersonal relationships they share. “Each character is well-thought because we wanted to build a deep and smart world,” May explained.
To ensure authentic representation, May established an Interfaith Council within the studio early on to make sure that no community is misrepresented. This council has one expert from each of the four faiths shown in series, along with one spiritual advisor. All the drafts of God’s Gang go through the Interfaith Council’s scrutiny, and every aspect of the show – right from dialogues to costume – is validated by the council.
Reflecting on the importance of avoiding stereotypes and fostering empathy, May disclosed, “It is easy to stereotype religions and communities, which is why on our counsellors’ advice, we created characters that people could relate to and empathise with.”
Securing funds
The studio’s team is spread across 15 countries and May’s vision has been brought to life with the animation by Singapore’s Infinite Frameworks. The show is self-funded – with Israeli and Arab investors pooling resources to support the production of the pilot episode. At present, May is actively engaging with a crowdfunding campaign aimed at financing the production of the first season, rallying support from a global community eager to see the series come to fruition.
Social media hails the show
When asked about the major challenge in crafting his labour of love, May replied, “To introduce an IP to the market that is unconventional, all while being aware that it will evoke a myriad of emotions.” Despite this unconventional nature, the project has received an overwhelmingly positive response on social platforms. The YouTube comments section of the premiere is filled with people hailing the content for its hilarity and diversity. “There are people who don’t like to see a Muslim and a Jew working together, but most of the audience loves it,” exclaimed May. A standout was a reaction video created by British YouTuber Emma Thorne talking about how funny and visually appealing the show looks.
“God’s Gang is our team’s way to bring people together and create a world where everyone can co-exist in peace, without compromising entertainment,” May said. “And everyone in the team believes that the world needs this show NOW, more than ever.”