MUMBAI: The anime (Japanese animation for the uninitiated) channel from Sony Pictures Entertainment - Animax Asia has launched a series of eight original animated vignettes. The channel was recently launched in India under the One Alliance bouquet with cricketer Irfan Pathan as its brand ambassador.

The 30-40 second spots would feature the characters Quu and Tee who are the sole survivors of two warring clans from another dimension. The channel is also planning to launch four more original characters later this year.

Animax Asias VP programming and production Betty Tsui was quoted in a media report as saying that Quu and Tee were a part of Animax Asia's continuous efforts to engage viewers and keep them entertained.

With regard to the four new characters that they would be launching later this year, Tsui said that their introduction process will be carefully planned so that the viewers not only become familiar with them but would also look forward to seeing more of them both on and off-air.

The launch of the original vignettes coincides with the start of the Animax Hong Kong Comics Festival - Summer Funtasy 2004 event in Hong Kong which was held from 30 July to 3 August.