Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw
An upcoming Philippine adult animated urban fantasy horror film.
Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw (original title: Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko) is an upcoming Philippine adult animated urban fantasy supernatural horror film. It is directed by Mervin Malonzo in his directorial debut, co-written with Villanueva, and produced by Manny Angeles and Avid Liongoren under Rocketsheep Studio. The film is one of the first animated features co-produced and distributed by GMA Pictures, alongside the docudrama 58th, and is slated for theatrical release on an unspecified date in 2026.
- Title
- Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw
- Director
- Mervin Malonzo
- Writer
- Mervin Malonzo, Julius Villanueva
- Producers
- Manny Angeles, Avid Liongoren
- Studio
- Rocketsheep Studio
- Distributor
- GMA Pictures
- Release year
- 2026 (unspecified date)
Lore & Background
The premise of the short film served as the basis for the feature, expanded from the first volume of the komik. The animated feature was unveiled as part of the QCinema Project Market Selections in 2023.
Reader's Guide
Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw represents a notable step in Philippine adult animation, blending urban fantasy with supernatural horror and social commentary. The film's premise—a 12-year-old girl from the slums of Manila who inherits her grandmother's role as a mambabarang—directly engages with themes of community protection and moral ambiguity, as Ella questions who the real monsters are amid the government's drug war. As one of the first animated features co-produced and distributed by GMA Pictures, it signals a growing investment in original Filipino animated content for mature audiences. The film's development from a short film to a feature, supported by a grant from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, highlights the institutional backing for independent komik adaptations. Its inclusion in the QCinema Project Market Selections in 2023 further underscores its significance within the Philippine film industry's push for diverse storytelling.
Did You Know?
- It is director Mervin Malonzo's directorial debut.
- The premise was expanded from the first volume of the komik, using the short film Ella Arcangel: Oyayi Sa Dilim as its basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw?
It is a Philippine adult animated feature that sits at the intersection of urban fantasy and supernatural horror. The project is developed by Rocketsheep Studio and represents one of GMA Pictures' earliest animated films headed to Philippine cinemas.
Who directed Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw?
Mervin Malonzo is behind the camera for what marks his directorial debut. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Julius Villanueva.
What is the original Filipino title of Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw?
The film's native-language title is "Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko," which corresponds directly to the English-language working title used in international marketing.
When is Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw releasing in theaters?
The film is currently slated for a 2026 theatrical window in the Philippines, though a specific release date has not yet been announced.
Who is producing and distributing Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and Claw?
Manny Angeles and Avid Liongoren produce the film under the Rocketsheep Studio banner, with GMA Pictures serving as the distributor. This places it among the first animated features the network has co-produced and sent to Philippine screens.
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