Y Gelli

S4C | 16 x 11minutes

Y Gelli is a Japanese educational series developed in Japan under the title ‘Shakeen’. The series has been described as a ‘phenomenon’ in its home country.

In the series we join the two main animated characters, brother and sister Gwion and Ffion ap Cŵl, who entice young viewers to join them as they attempt to solve a variety of interactive puzzles in a fantasy forest known as ‘Y Gelli’.

Gwion and Ffion guides the children through the different puzzles which test their numeracy, memory and listening skills along with spot the difference puzzles in animated pictures. In addition to the puzzles we see a cartoon called Ysgol Obetomo (Obetomo School) created by the designer, Obetomo.

Also on show is the work of Porthmadog artist Osian Efnisien in the design of the characters Gwion and Ffion especially for the Welsh version.

“I thought creating brand new animated characters would add to the series as most of the puzzles are simple animations,” said Nici Beech, the producer of the Welsh language version. “I’m sure the series will be a very popular one – the children who have seen it so far just love it, and can certainly solve some of the puzzles better than adults!”