Barangay 143 Explained

Genre:Sports, Drama
Creator:Katski Flores
Director:Jyotirmoy Saha
Composer:Ricky Ho
Opentheme:"Dito Sa Barangay 143" by "Gloc-9" and "Maya"
Language:English
Filipino
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:26
List Episodes:
  1. Episode list
Runtime:21 minutes
First Aired:[1]

is an anime television series produced by ASI Animation Studio, Sunrise Studio and Shin-Ei Animation. Announced in 2016, the first season premiered on October 21, 2018, in the Philippines on GMA Network and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV.

The series features voice roles from a Filipino ensemble cast: including Migo Adecer, Julie Anne San Jose, Ruru Madrid, Kelley Day, John Arcilla, Edu Manzano, and Cherie Gil. Barangay 143 follows the coming of age story of a young man of Filipino and Korean descent who went to Manila to search for his long-lost father, all while he entered a local basketball league at a barangay in Tondo.

Barangay 143 was released in Netflix on October 1, 2020, where it later entered the top ten "most watched titles" on Netflix Asia.[2] The series was also released on the Filipino streaming service POPTV on November 18, 2020.[3] A second season was announced on November 28, and was subsequently released on December 12, 2020, on POPTV.[4] [5]

Plot

Two years before the start of the series, Roberto "Coach B" Sebastián, Sr.'s son, Roberto "Basti" Sebastián Jr., was killed by a gunman from a large syndicate which brought down the Barangay 143's Powerhouse team and led to today's events.

Bren Park, a player for a Korean basketball team, had recently lost his family in a tragic accident during a snowstorm in South Korea that led him to quit basketball. However, following a revelation that he was his mother's child to a Filipino man, Bren went to Manila to search for him. Along the way, he joined a local basketball team, the Puzakals of Barangay 143.

Characters

Main cast

Bren T. Park
  • A former Korea U-19 National Basketball Team member, who emigrated to Philippines in order to fulfill his parents' will and to find his true biological Father who is a Filipino.
    Victoria "Vicky" Sebastián
  • Joaquín "Wax" Rivera
  • Jinri Choi
  • Roberto "Coach B/Bobby" Sebastián Sr.
  • He is the head coach of Team Puzakals, and a father to Vicky and the team. He is currently seeking justice for his son, Basti, who was killed two years ago.
    Commissioner Jack "Jumping" Rivera
  • Sophia Rivera
  • Wax's mother and a wife to Jack who will do anything in order to remove the obstacles in her plans.

    Supporting cast

    Koboy Guerrero
  • The Puzakals' resident Batangueño fast talker who brings unexpected happenings and objects to his team.
    Buchoy
  • A punky street-smart kid who is a son of a vagrant and an OFW, and loves Basketball who accidentally befriends Bren immediately. He serves as the Team's Waterboy.
    Dara T. Park
  • Tita "Baby" Dela Cruz
  • [6]
  • A former head nanny to the Park family who made her fortune back in Manila as a successful carinderia entrepreneur and as a Ward Chief Executive. She is known to be maternal in nature in her ward.
    Ipe Aguilar
  • Melody
  • Wax's ex-girlfriend who hates Vicky and she is spoiled-brat girl.
    Yumi's Mom
  • Young Sophia
  • Danny "Dandoy" Chan
  • A Chinese Filipino who barely speaks Philippine Hokkien well and is involved with the shady practices in PIBA and with the syndicate, Black Dragons
    Shugo Sikat
  • Batang Commissioner (Young "Jumping" Jack Rivera)
  • Coach Caloy/Grandmaster
  • He is Coach B's mentor who aides making decisions for the team and their improvement. He also serves as adviser to him in matters that deal with Basti's death. He is also the leader of Mafia syndicate called Black Dragons.
    Junior Hernando
  • A short and muscular, yet surprisingly gentle member of the Puzakals.
    Chikoy Poh
  • The Puzakals' Chinese Filipino player who is a Self-proclaimed playboy.
    Abdul Salik
  • The Puzakals' tallest member and Center. Despite his height, he is very quiet in demeanor.
    Norman Nazareno
  • The Puzukals' member who has long hair tied in a man bun. He has a kind personality with a hidden and slightly aggressive/agitated streak.

    Media

    Anime

    Production

    Quezon City-based ASI Studios, a joint venture between Filipino firm Synergy88 and Singaporean company August Media Holdings is the production company behind Barangay 143.[7]

    TV Asahi is responsible for Barangay 143s direction as well as coming up with character designs for the series. ASI Studios wrote the script and lead the production of the series.[8] [9]

    A Comeback GMA Network Sylvia Sanchez to voice Kapitana Baby Dela Cruz but replaced by actress Lorna Tolentino.

    It is described by the producers as a "360-degree concept" and a story of love, hubris, drama, crime and basketball.[10] [11]

    The anime series is initially produced in Tagalog[10] by a "celebrity cast"[12]

    In July 2018, the voice cast were announced, along with a new release date and a television network to air to.[13]

    Broadcast and distribution

    Barangay 143 is primarily targeted towards the youth/young-adult market of the Philippines and is planned to be released in other Southeast Asian countries as well. Aside from Tagalog, Barangay 143 will also have and English-language release.[14] It was first reported to air in the Philippines in Spring 2017. In July 2018, the series is announced to air on GMA Network in October 2018.

    It is yet to be announced if the series is to be broadcast in Japan.[15]

    TV Asahi and August Rights, August Media Holdings' distribution arm will be responsible for the international distribution of the anime.[12]

    The series went on hiatus in December 2018, and while it was expected to return in February, it was announced it will return early April 2019.

    The series also premiered on Netflix on October 1, 2020,[16] [17] where it became one of the "most watched titles" in Netflix Asia. The series was released on the Filipino streaming service POPTV on November 18.

    A second season was announced on November 28. It was released on December 12 on POPTV.

    Episode list

    Season 2 (2020–21)

    Other media

    Prior to the release of the anime, a mobile game entitled, Barangay Basketball was released to iTunes and the Google Play Store. The game revolves around Wax, a son of a former star player, who is eager to prove that he is a player on his own right and undergoes training under the four basketball masters of Barangay 143.[18] [19] The mobile game serves as a prequel to Barangay 143. The game was also nominated for the People's Choice Award category of the International Mobile Gaming Awards for Southeast Asia.[20]

    In October 2016, August Media Holdings announced that a subscription game with a telecommunications company will be launched soon.[10]

    Soundtrack

    Most of the songs used in the anime series were released on the music-streaming service, Spotify, and has its own official music videos on YouTube, which is present at their YouTube channel.[21]

    Original Composition

    1. Dito sa Barangay 143 - performed by Gloc-9 feat. Maya[22]
    2. Alanganin - performed by Kris Lawrence and Krizza Neri; composed by Thyro and Yumi
    3. Para sa isa't isa - performed by Nina and JinHo Bae; composed by Vehnee Saturno
    4. Salamin - performed by Top Suzara and Harlem Ty; written and composed by Top Suzara
    5. Liga Ng Buhay - performed by Top Suzara and Harlem Ty; composed by Thyro, Yumi and Shehyee
    6. Basketboleros - performed by Kevin Yadao; composed by Randy Santiago
    7. Frozen in Time - performed by Alyssa Quijano; composed by Thyro and Yum

    Reception

    According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in Television Homes, the pilot episode of Barangay 143 earned a 4.4% rating.[23]

    Awards

    YearTelevision Award / CriticsAward / CategoryResult
    2019Asian Academy Creative Awards (Regional Awards)Best Animated Programme or Series (2D or 3D)
    Best Drama Series
    Best Theme Song or Title Theme
    (for the song "Liga ng Buhay"
    performed by Top Suzara and Harlem Ty
    )
    202024th Asian Television AwardsBest 2D Animated Programme
    Best Theme Song(for the song Alanganin
    performed by Kris Lawrence & Krizza Neri
    )

    Notes and References

    1. News: IN PHOTOS Kapuso stars lend voices to first Pinoy anime 'Barangay 143'. 4 October 2018. GMA Network. 6 October 2018. en-PH.
    2. Web site: TDT. 2020-11-12. Top Netflix title 'Barangay 143' available on POPTV. 2020-12-06. Daily Tribune. en-US.
    3. Web site: 2020-11-08. 'Barangay 143' conquers Netflix, streams on PopTV this Nov. 18. 2020-12-06. Manila Bulletin. en-US.
    4. Web site: boredproductive. 2020-12-05. Barangay 143 Season 2, ipapalabas na!. 2020-12-06. Bored Productive. en-US.
    5. News: Beltrano. Jei. 12 December 2020. 'Barangay 143: Season 2' Filipino anime series is now available for streaming exclusively on POPTV. Aniradioplus. 14 December 2020.
    6. News: Ramos . Gerry . PH Basketball Gets Own Animé Series With the Premiere of "Barangay 143". 28 October 2018 . SPIN.ph . 15 October 2018 . Philippines.
    7. News: Singapore's August Media Opens Animation Studio in Philippines. Frater. Patrick. 2015-04-13. Variety. 2018-07-18. en-US.
    8. News: TV Asahi Produces Barangay 143 Basketball Anime Aimed at the Philippines. 26 September 2016. Anime News Network. 26 September 2016.
    9. News: Ito. Manabu. Asian partners help anime cast broader spell outside Japan. 26 September 2016. Nikkei Asian Review. Nikkei Inc.. 25 September 2016.
    10. News: Asian Partners Launch Co-Production of 'Barangay 143'. Wolfe. Jennifer. 17 October 2016. AWN.com. 19 October 2016. AWN, Inc..
    11. News: Hawkes. Rebecca. MIPCOM 2016: Asian co-production announced for Barangay 143. 19 October 2016. Rapid TV News. 18 October 2016.
    12. News: Wolfe. Jennifer. Barangay 143 Basketball Anime Premieres Spring 2017 With Tagalog Dub. 19 October 2016. Anime News Network. 18 October 2016.
    13. News: First Pinoy anime 'Barangay 143' will show country's love for basketball. Rappler. 2018-09-09. en.
    14. News: Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority Brings Fresh Content to MIPCOM from Asia for the Global Market. 17 October 2016. PR Newswire. 19 October 2016.
    15. News: Commercial broadcasters venturing overseas. 15 November 2016. The Japan News. The Yomiuri Shimbun. 15 November 2016.
    16. Web site: Beltrano. Jason. Award-winning Filipino TV anime series "Barangay 143" is coming to Netflix PH on October 1. 2020-12-06. Aniradioplus. September 17, 2020.
    17. Web site: Filipino anime show 'Barangay 143' is coming to Netflix. 2020-12-06. GMA News Online. en.
    18. Web site: Barangay Basketball. Google Play. 19 October 2016.
    19. Web site: Barangay Basketball. iTunes. 19 October 2016.
    20. News: Synergy88 Digital Launches Barangay Basketball, A Mobile Game With Many Pinoy Firsts. 15 November 2016. Manila Republic. 9 November 2016. November 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161124092353/http://www.manilarepublic.com/synergy88-digital-launches-barangay-basketball-mobile-game-many-pinoy-firsts/3818/. dead.
    21. Web site: Barangay 143 YouTube channel . .
    22. Web site: Dito sa Barangay 143 (Barangay 143 Official Soundtrack) on Spotify . . August 9, 2019 . 25 December 2019.
    23. Web site: Panalo sa maraming Pilipino ang anime na gawang Pinoy, para sa Pinoy!. October 23, 2018. Barangay 143 Official Facebook Page.