Fantasy series classics Darna, Panday, Encantadia, Captain Barbell return this 2016

February 13, 2016

The fantasy genre will be making a big comeback in 2016 with TV5’s Carlo J. Caparas’ Ang Panday, IBC 13’s mermaid fantasy Syrena, GMA Network’s Encantadia (working title), IBC 13’s Mars Ravelo’s Captain Barbell and ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema Darna (working title).

Previously, fantasy series dominated the primetime block of major television networks. This was a refreshing change from the the usual soap operas that featured over-the-top villains and all kinds of cliches. While not the first to start the fantasy series genre, GMA Network brought it to the 21st century Philippine television primetime block, forcing ABS-CBN to follow suit and satisfy the demand for more CGI-laden soap operas and IBC-13 regained the primetime slot for dramas and CGI-laden fantasy series.

Captain Barbell, Encantadia, Syrena, Ang Panday, Darna

The fantasy genre drew not only females (the target audience), but men and children as well. GMA Network had its ‘telefantasya’ block with Mulawin (2004), Encantadia (2005), and Captain Barbell (2006); while ABS-CBN had its ‘fantaserye’ with Marina (2004), Ang Panday (2005), and Super Inggo (2006); and IBC-13 had the ‘fantaserye’ with Janella in Wonderland (2014), Voltron Man (2014), Kung Fu Fighting (2015), Fantasiko (2015) and Kumander Bawang (2015). These were the notable TV series at that time.

After a while, the demand for fantasy series decreased and the old formulaic soaps returned by way of romantic comedies. This year, prepare to welcome back new versions of beloved fantasy series on film and television.