Guru Studio launches True & the Rainbow Kingdom shortform spin-off on YouTube

True: Mini Rescues is available in both widescreen and vertical formats

Canada’s Guru Studio is launching a shortform spin-off series to its True & the Rainbow Kingdom preschool brand exclusively on YouTube this month.

True: Mini Rescues is the brand’s first spin-off to be created exclusively for YouTube. It was originally announced last year under the title True & You and had been scheduled for release early this year.

The new series will premiere on the True & the Rainbow Kingdom YouTube channel in collaboration with Canadian pubcaster CBC Kids. It has been produced in both widescreen and vertical formats.

The collection of one-minute episodes puts viewers at the centre of exciting rescue missions, inviting them to help True use quick thinking, teamwork and her magical wishes to save the day.

“YouTube has become one of the most important places for kids to discover and build lasting relationships with the characters they love,” said Frank Falcone, president and executive creative director of Guru Studio.

“With True: Mini Rescues, we’re embracing new storytelling formats that go beyond the traditional episodic story arc, creating bite-sized adventures designed for the way kids watch today. It’s an exciting opportunity to introduce a whole new generation to the world of True & the Rainbow Kingdom, while giving our longtime fans fresh stories and new ways to deepen their love of True.”

The launch builds on Guru Studio’s broader digital strategy to expand the franchise to a new generation of preschoolers. In addition to Mini Rescues, the new True content roll-out includes a mix of mindfulness and breathing exercises which launched in May, and two character-led comedy miniseries called Bartleby Bites and Yeti Yuks, which are launching later this fall. Support for the new series was provided by Ontario Creates.