Two Animators, Two Months Per Episode: How Ukraine’s ‘Chuparsky University’ Cartoon Series Gets Made.

Behind the Scenes of 'Chuparsky University'

According to Espreso.tv: Created by Ukrainian animators Mykola Semeniuk and Mykhailo Karpan, the animated series 'Chuparsky University' has already aired two seasons. The project stands out for its distinctive animation style and original storytelling, which have drawn in viewers. Producing a single episode takes roughly two months—a remarkable feat for a team of just two people. Each episode costs several thousand dollars to make, highlighting the labor-intensive and costly nature of the process.

Growing Popularity and Funding Model

As of July 2023, the series’ home channel, Animarody, has nearly 62,000 subscribers and over three million views—clear signs of the project’s rising appeal. Mykola Semeniuk explains,

“I work on the animation for up to two months, and then Mykhailo handles the sound for the episode.”

Mykhailo Karpan also points out how their production approach differs from that of large studios:

“Take even a low-budget Netflix series, for example—they allocate about a year per episode, with a team of 20 to 30 people, sometimes even 100. Meanwhile, the two of us do it in two months.”

The project’s primary funding comes directly from its audience. Semeniuk notes, “Our main income is from Patreon and Monobank, and YouTube is starting to pay a bit better for what we do.” This reflects strong viewer support and the ability to grow the series through fan contributions.

As a result, 'Chuparsky University' continues to gain traction among Ukrainian audiences, proving that a small team can produce high-quality content in a competitive landscape.

The success of 'Chuparsky University' mirrors the growing interest in Ukrainian animation and content created by independent teams. Despite limited budgets, the duo demonstrates that creativity and an innovative approach can lead to significant achievements in media. Such projects can serve as an inspiration for other animators and creators looking to bring their ideas to life without major financial backing.