Ankamas Welsh & Shedar Arrives Worldwide on the Krosmoz YouTube Channel this November

The landscape of cross-media entertainment is set to expand significantly this autumn as independent French entertainment powerhouse Ankama officially announces the international rollout of its latest animated venture. Set within the rich, expansive lore of the Krosmoz universe, Welsh & Shedar is a 12-episode animated adventure series produced in close collaboration with Japanese animation house Studio Massket. The series is scheduled to make its global debut this November, bringing a fresh aesthetic and narrative perspective to millions of fans worldwide.

Rather than utilizing traditional television syndication or subscription-based streaming services exclusively, Ankama has chosen to distribute the series globally—with the exception of Japan—via the newly established Krosmoz YouTube channel. This strategic digital-first release aims to harness the accessibility of online video platforms, ensuring that both long-time adherents of the franchise and curious newcomers can engage with the content seamlessly.

The launch schedule kicks off with a high-profile premiere event. Episode 1 will debut on November 5, 2026, followed immediately by Episode 2 on November 6. Following this initial two-day rollout, subsequent episodes will premiere on a weekly basis every Thursday, establishing a consistent rhythm for viewers to follow the narrative arc. To accommodate its diverse international fanbase, the series will be broadcast with Japanese, English, and French audio tracks, accompanied by comprehensive subtitle options in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

A Culinary Journey Intersecting with Fate

At the heart of Welsh & Shedar is a narrative that blends lighthearted daily life with high-stakes fantasy conflict. Set within the established chronology of the DOFUS universe, the story centers on Welsh, a kind-hearted and unassuming young cook residing peacefully in the village of Brassica. Welsh’s quiet routine is abruptly shattered by the unexpected arrival of the dragon Asalar and the legendary hero Joris.

This inciting incident pulls the young chef out of his pastoral existence and drags him directly into a complex political and magical conflict. Welsh finds himself entangled in the machinations of the powerful Queen Zabelle and her son, Shedar. As the narrative unfolds, Welsh is forced onto a path of self-discovery that holds implications far beyond his own ambitions, directly intersecting with the fate of the broader world.

The production represents a notable cross-cultural synergy. While the Krosmoz universe is a distinctly French creation—born from Ankama’s creative vision over two decades ago—Welsh & Shedar leans heavily into the stylistic and technical traditions of Japanese animation through its partnership with Studio Massket. This fusion of Western world-building and Eastern animation execution creates a distinct visual identity for the project.

A Chronological Timeline of the Release

The rollout of Welsh & Shedar represents months of careful planning by Ankama Animations, culminating in a structured timeline designed to maximize viewer engagement.

• October 19, 2026: Ankama officially announces the global release schedule, voice cast, and interactive in-game tie-ins for Welsh & Shedar.
• November 5, 2026: Episode 1 premieres worldwide on the Krosmoz YouTube channel, introducing viewers to Welsh, Joris, and the village of Brassica, alongside the first hidden in-game reward code.
• November 6, 2026: Episode 2 launches, marking the end of the initial back-to-back premiere phase.
• November 12, 2026, and Onward: Following the two-episode premiere week, remaining episodes roll out weekly every Thursday, building toward the series finale across the 12-episode run.

Production Voices and Musical Collaborations

The international ambition of Welsh & Shedar is reflected in its extensive voice-acting roster, featuring notable talent across Japanese, English, and French dubs. The titular protagonist, Welsh, is voiced by Rikuya Yasuda in Japanese, Daniel J. McLean in English, and Sacha Tomassian in French. Meanwhile, the complex character of Shedar is brought to life by Yuki Kaji (Japanese), Kevin Garcia (English), and Tom Trouffier (French). Additional key characters, including Queen Zabelle, Joris, Kahn Karkas, Bechamel, Mama Caroni, and Asalar, are portrayed by an ensemble cast designed to deliver authentic performances across all supported language tracks.

Music also plays a foundational role in establishing the mood of the series. The Japanese opening theme, Bokura no Miraie, is performed by the celebrated duo Hironobu Kageyama and Masami Okui. Furthermore, Kageyama contributes the whimsical ending theme, Omuretsu, anchoring the series in traditional anime opening and ending formats that appeal directly to international animation enthusiasts.

Interactive Integration Across the Krosmoz Ecosystem

In true Ankama fashion, Welsh & Shedar transcends the traditional boundaries of passive viewing by establishing a direct, interactive bridge between animation and video games. For over twenty years, Ankama has championed a transmedia philosophy, ensuring that its animated series, massively multiplayer online role-playing games, board games, and publications exist within a unified ecosystem.

With Welsh & Shedar, this philosophy manifests as an interactive treasure hunt embedded directly within the episodes. Viewers who pay close attention will discover hidden codes throughout the 12-episode run. These codes can be redeemed within Ankama’s flagship gaming titles—specifically DOFUS and DOFUS Retro on PC, as well as DOFUS Touch on mobile platforms.

Redeeming these codes grants players access to exclusive in-game quests, riddles, and themed rewards. For instance, viewers who unlock the secret code hidden within Episode 1 will receive Minikitt, an exclusive, adorable in-game pet companion that players can bring along on their digital adventures. By gamifying the viewing experience, Ankama incentivizes active audience participation, turning passive YouTube viewers into active participants in the Krosmoz lore.

The Foundation of the Krosmoz YouTube Channel

The launch of Welsh & Shedar serves as a major milestone for the newly minted Krosmoz YouTube channel, which is designed to act as a centralized hub for Ankama’s vast animated catalog. To prepare audiences for the new series, the channel has also made foundational pieces of the universe available for free, including DOFUS – Book I: Julith.

Released as the studio’s first feature film set in the DOFUS universe, Julith takes place chronologically thirty years prior to the events of Welsh & Shedar. By providing open access to the film, Ankama offers a narrative ramp-up for viewers seeking deeper contextual background on the lore, magical systems, and historical conflicts of the Krosmoz before diving into the new weekly series. Additionally, the channel hosts behind-the-scenes content and lore explainers, cementing its status as an educational and entertainment portal for fans of the franchise.

Industry Implications and Strategic Analysis

Ankama’s decision to release Welsh & Shedar on YouTube rather than locking it behind a proprietary streaming subscription reflects a broader shift in digital distribution strategies within the animation industry. By leveraging YouTube’s massive, global infrastructure, Ankama removes friction for potential viewers, allowing the series to organically capture a wider demographic that extends beyond the core MMORPG player base.

The integration of in-game rewards tied to hidden YouTube video codes also represents an innovative approach to customer retention and cross-promotion. In an era where digital entertainment properties constantly fight for consumer attention, creating a symbiotic loop where watching a video directly enhances a video game experience encourages sustained, long-term engagement. Fans are not merely watching a story unfold; they are collecting pieces of it to utilize in their daily gaming habits across DOFUS and DOFUS Touch.

Furthermore, the collaboration with Studio Massket highlights the viability of co-production models that bridge Western intellectual property with Eastern production mastery. As global audiences become increasingly accustomed to genre-blending art styles, projects like Welsh & Shedar demonstrate how independent European studios can scale their creative output by partnering with international animation powerhouses.

About Ankama and Ankama Animations

Founded in 2004 following the breakout success of its flagship massively multiplayer online role-playing game DOFUS—which has since amassed over 100 million registered accounts worldwide—Ankama has evolved into a premier independent transmedia enterprise. Controlling every tier of the production chain from initial concept to final distribution, the company produces video games, board games, manga, animated series, and feature films.

Its shared fictional universe, the Krosmoz, connects disparate stories, characters, and eras across enduring titles such as DOFUS, WAKFU, WAVEN, and now Welsh & Shedar. Meanwhile, its dedicated production arm, Ankama Animations, continues to spearhead cinematic and episodic projects that push the studio’s transmedia vision forward.

As the premiere date of November 5 approaches, anticipation continues to build within the global gaming and animation communities. With its unique blend of culinary charm, high fantasy stakes, international voice talent, and rewarding interactive elements, Welsh & Shedar stands poised to write an exciting new chapter in the ongoing legacy of the Krosmoz.