"Made with Maga"
your partner in Europe for animated projects
On October 17th, we had the pleasure of presenting our talk at VIEW Conference in Turin, titled “NORA: the first Italian V-Idol and digital pop star”. It was a chance to share Maga’s creative and technical journey behind a project that’s been close to our hearts and represents a bold step into the future of digital storytelling.
NORA ノラ isn’t just a character, she’s a virtual artist, born from the fusion of animation, music and technology. As Italy’s first V-Idol, she embodies a new kind of pop star: one that lives in the digital space, connects with audiences through emotion and performance, and opens up new possibilities for how stories are told and experienced.
On stage were Serena Tripepi, director of NORA’s first music video, and Max Carrier Ragazzi, executive producer and showrunner. Together, they walked the audience through the process of creating NORA, from concept to execution, and reflected on the cultural and emotional layers that make her more than just a digital persona.
VIEW Conference was the perfect setting for this kind of exchange, bringing together artists, technologists and creatives from around the world. We’re grateful for the warm response and the curiosity around NORA and we’re excited to keep building her story.
On October 9th Serena Tripepi, director of NORA's debut music video and technical director at our studio, joined a lively and forward-looking panel at MIA Market in Rome, titled “The new production pipeline: how game engines are reshaping animation's business”. The conversation explored how real-time tools and interactive storytelling are changing the way animation is created and produced, opening up new possibilities for cross-media projects and multiplatform IPs.
Serena was joined by Zoltán Bathó, producer and educator in R&D, real-time and virtual production, and Davide Tromba, CEO of Animoka. The panel was moderated by Cristian Jezdic, producer at beQ Entertainment, who guided the discussion through the intersections of animation and gaming, and the evolving skill sets needed in this new creative landscape.
It was a great opportunity to share Maga’s vision and connect with professionals who are pushing the boundaries of what animation can be.We’re happy to have been part of it, Rome gave us the perfect backdrop for inspiration.
On September 18th, 2025, Maga Animation Studio officially presented NORA, the first-ever made in Italy virtual idol, to a live audience at Milano Licensing Day. The event marked the public unveiling of the IP, introduced by Serena Tripepi, project director, during a day dedicated to licensed properties, creative innovation, and industry networking.
NORA was revealed as a new kind of icon, designed to resonate with Gen Z and a wide spectrum of global audiences. Her presence at MLD 2025 drew attention for its originality and strong cross-media potential, blending music, animation and digital identity.
This memorable debut followed the release of NORA’s first single on September 12th, Beat of a Romance/Cha Cha Cha, now available on all major music streaming platforms. Thanks to collaborations with leading music distributors in Japan, Korea, China, France and beyond, NORA is already gaining international traction.
And this is just the beginning.
Meet NORA ノラ, the first Italian digital popstar with a real voice, created by Maga Animation Studio after two years of artistic and technical research.
Her debut video, “Beat of a Romance / Cha Cha Cha”, is more than a music release: it’s a handcrafted CG animation project. Every movement was animated with traditional key-frame techniques, working closely with dancers and choreographers: no generative AI, just pure creativity.
To build her world, we used Unreal Engine as a cinematic tool, creating immersive environments and dynamic lighting inspired by vaporwave aesthetics.
NORA is not just a character, but a creative statement about identity and the future of digital expression. This is only the beginning of a project designed to grow across platforms and formats.
We were back at Gamescom this year! We joined the Italian Pavilion organized by the Italian Trade Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with IIDEA, the trade association representing the video game industry in Italy.
From August 20 to 22 in Cologne (Germany), our CEO and creative director Max Carrier Ragazzi represented Maga in the business area of the event, one of the most prominent global gatherings for the video game industry. In this context, we attended as Maga Animation for Games, the division of our studio specialized in supporting creators, publishers and developers in the video game industry.
During the fair we had a valuable opportunity to showcase our latest work, connect with international professionals and engage with fellow Italian companies driving innovation in gaming.
We warmly thank IIDEA and ITA for their continued support and for promoting Italian creativity on such a prestigious international stage.
The wait is over! Nitro Gen Omega, the highly anticipated sandbox tactical RPG from DESTINYbit, officially launches in early access today, June 17th, on Steam.
Maga Animation Studio is happy to have handled the 3D modeling for the mechs and also contributed secondary animations to the game's distinctive style, helping bring its dynamic combat and dramatic moments to life, with every movement and battle sequence feeling like a scene straight out of a shonen anime.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by machines, Nitro Gen Omega puts players in command of a mercenary crew piloting customizable mechs in cinematic, anime-inspired battles. With its innovative timeline-based combat system and deep character dynamics, the game offers a unique blend of tactical gameplay and storytelling.
Play now on Steam! Be among the first to explore, contribute your feedback, and help forge the future of Nitro Gen Omega.
Wer have just returned from the vibrant and inspiring atmosphere of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, held from June 8 to 14 with the MIFA (Marché International du Film d’Animation) taking place from June 10 to 13 in Annecy.
The Annecy festival is the world’s leading event dedicated to animation, bringing together creators, studios, producers, and enthusiasts from across the globe. MIFA, its professional counterpart, is the largest international market for animated content, offering a unique platform for networking, project pitching, and industry insights.
During this year’s edition, the Maga team had the pleasure of participating in numerous meetings, panels, and networking events under the sunny skies of Annecy. Representing the studio were CEO Massimo Carrier Ragazzi, head of animated series production Lorenzo Marini, and art director Alessia Garofalo.
A special thank you to RAI Kids, Studio ACORN, TeamTO, Something Big, Animazing and all other partners for the valuable conversations and shared vision. We are proud to have been part of such a dynamic and creative environment, and we return with renewed energy, fresh ideas, and exciting connections that will help shape our upcoming projects.
On June 6th, Mr. Men Little Miss Mini Adventures, the new animated series by Sanrio, produced by Maga Animation Studio, made its international debut on the official Mr. Men Little Miss YouTube channel.
This 12-episode web series brings the beloved characters from Roger and Adam Hargreaves' classic books back to life with a fresh, vibrant 2D animation style. Each 2.5-minute episode explores themes of emotional awareness and the joy of embracing differences, values that have made the franchise a timeless favorite for over 50 years. The ongoing collaboration with Sanrio has played a pivotal role in enabling our studio to preserve the essence of the original characters and stories, while seamlessly integrating innovative elements that resonate with today’s audiences.
Whether you're a longtime fan or meeting Mr. Tickle and Little Miss Sunshine for the first time, get ready for a burst of color, fun and feel-good lessons. Hit play and let the mini adventures begin!
We’re back from Cartoons On The Bay 2025 in Pescara, and we’re buzzing with inspiration, new connections, and exciting projects on the horizon!
On May 29th, our CEO Massimo Carrier Ragazzi took part in the round table “Made in Italy and global properties”, alongside Gian Paolo Tagliavia (Rainbow), Pedro Citaristi (Red Monk Studio), and Francesco Manfio (Gruppo Alcuni), moderated by Federica Pazzano. It was a great opportunity to showcase our latest reel, featuring some of our most recent works, and to share insights from our experience working on international IPs.
We were especially proud to talk about our collaboration with Sanrio on the upcoming Mr. Men Little Miss Mini Adventures, launching in just a couple of days!
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by, joined the conversation, or simply shared a smile. Events like Cartoons on the Bay are a reminder of how powerful creative exchange can be. We’re already looking forward to what’s next.
On Your Tail, the adventure video game developed by Memorable Games and published by Humble Games, has been recognized as a finalist for the Pulcinella Awards 2025 at Cartoons On The Bay festival, in the Interactive Animation category.
As the animation partner for this project, we shaped the lively atmosphere of Borgo Marina, a picturesque coastal town in Italy where players step into the shoes of Diana Caproni, a writer drawn into intriguing local mysteries.
Through meticulously crafted animations, carefully designed characters and immersive storytelling, On Your Tail offers an engaging blend of narrative mystery and life simulation. Since its Windows release in December 2024, followed by its Nintendo Switch debut in March 2025, the game has been widely praised for its gorgeous setting and compelling story.
We're honored to see our animation and CG work celebrated at such a prestigious festival. A huge thank you to Memorable Games and everyone involved in this project!
