Glitch Productions
Australian independent animation studio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glitch Productions Pty. Ltd. (credited as Glitch and stylised in all caps; formerly known as Glitchy Boy) is an Australian independent animation studio based in Sydney, New South Wales. The studio was founded in 2017 by brothers Kevin and Luke Lerdwichagul, previously known for creating the sketch comedy machinima web series SMG4.
 Logo used since 2023 | |
| Glitch Productions | |
| Formerly | Glitchy Boy (2017–2018) |
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Animation |
| Founded | 24 May 2017 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | Sydney, New South Wales , Australia |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | |
| Products | Computer animation Traditional animation |
Number of employees | 100+ (2026) |
| Subsidiaries | FinalFinal_Project |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Genre | Animation |
| Subscribers | 23.2 million |
| Views | 3.8 billion |
| Last updated: 28 July 2026 | |
| Website | www |
Glitch is known for independently producing animated web series on YouTube such as SMG4, Meta Runner, Sunset Paradise, Murder Drones, The Amazing Digital Circus, The Gaslight District, Knights of Guinevere, and Gameoverse.
Glitch's founders were featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for Media, Marketing, and Advertising in 2023.[1]
History
Background (2009–2017)
Co-founder Luke Lerdwichagul started making YouTube videos in 2009.[2][3] Around 2011, Luke created a web series, SMG4, a Super Mario 64-based machinima YouTube channel.[2][3][a] Produced using footage from an emulated version of Super Mario 64, the series originally focused on Mario characters going on adventures that often involve parodies of Internet memes and popular culture.[2][3]
Around 2016, Luke's brother, Kevin Lerdwichagul, had observed the channel and its wide audience. He saw the potential to form a business around the channel, later joining SMG4 as a full-time writer and producer. Luke took on a directing role, as well as voicing his titular author surrogate character.[3]
Creation and early years (2017–2020)
On 24 May 2017, Luke uploaded a fan mail video to the SMG4 channel, where he briefly mentioned that he founded a company, dubbed Glitchy Boy, to represent SMG4, and the then-active Hobo Bros., and TheAwesomeMario channels.[‡ 1]
On 5 September 2018, in a formal announcement video, Kevin and Luke fully explained the concept of their company, now rebranded as Glitch Productions.[‡ 2][non-primary source needed] On 5 December, following multiple teasers on the SMG4 channel, Glitch released the trailer for Meta Runner, and the first episode premiered on 25 July 2019.[4] The series was funded by Screen Australia, and became the top-performing online investment from the company, racking up 10 million viewers across its first season. Meta Runner was later reuploaded to the Glitch Productions YouTube channel.[5] The first season was also financed with support from Crunchyroll and AMD,[6] and was produced in association with Epic Games.[6][7] On 20 April 2020, Screen Australia announced that they would be funding a second season of Meta Runner.[8]
Separation from SMG4 and growth (2020–present)
On 27 August 2020, Glitch officially separated the SMG4 channel from Glitch to focus on its non-SMG4 projects. Its first videos released that day were an announcement video and the first season of Meta Runner remade into a feature-length format.[‡ 3][original research?] Shortly after, the studio released the pilot to Ultra Jump Mania (a spin-off of Meta Runner that was later cancelled) and season 2 of Meta Runner in 2020. Meta Runner ended following a third season in 2022 after a total of 28 episodes and three animated shorts.[9]
On 12 March 2021, Glitch unveiled an SMG4 spin-off centred on the character Meggy Spletzer titled Sunset Paradise. The pilot was released on 26 March, and on 12 May 2021, the show received online production funding from Screen Australia. The show concluded in July 2021 after 10 episodes.[10] On 9 October 2021, Glitch announced a pilot titled Murder Drones, created, written, and directed by Liam Vickers, which premiered on 29 October. While earlier Glitch projects were produced at a monetary loss, Murder Drones performed exceptionally well, earning millions of views per episode. The show concluded in August 2024 after eight episodes.[11][12]
On 1 September 2023, Glitch announced a livestreaming event titled "GlitchX" for 9 November 2023, featuring discussions on independent animation with various creators.[13] On 13 October 2023, the pilot for The Amazing Digital Circus, created in collaboration with Gooseworx, was released.[14][15] The success of the pilot prompted Glitch to significantly expand its team, growing from around 20–25 staff members to over 100 artists.[16]
On 4 October 2024, Glitch announced that The Amazing Digital Circus would debut on Netflix, making it the studio's first production on the platform. Glitch retained full creative control, with episodes continuing to premier on YouTube first.[17] On 17 January 2025, Glitch announced its first 2D animated series, Knights of Guinevere, created with Dana Terrace, John Bailey Owen, and Zach Marcus. Its pilot premiered on 19 September 2025.[18][19]
On 16 May 2025, Glitch announced that Murder Drones had been added to Amazon Prime Video under a multi-title licensing deal for current and future series.[20]
During the studio's first "Glitch Direct" presentation on 10 October 2025, Glitch announced a co-production of the Lackadaisy animated series. The studio also unveiled two new banners: "Glitch Presents" for co-productions and "Glitch Originals" for self-funded projects, alongside hiring Olan Rogers as Head of Development.[21][22]
On 23 January 2026, Gameoverse, created with Ross O'Donovan, was revealed; its pilot premiered on 15 May 2026.[23]
Controversies
In March 2024, Glitch faced criticism following the abrupt recasting of Celeste Notley-Smith, the voice actress for Tari in Meta Runner and SMG4. Notley-Smith stated on X that she was recasting without prior notice. General manager Jasmine Yang later cited a communication failure for the oversight. The controversy led voice actress Robyn Barry-Cotter to depart the studio in solidarity.[24]
The studio was additionally accused of maintaining long work hours, employee blacklisting, and workplace pressure. On 4 March 2024, Kevin Lerdwichagul issued an apology on behalf of the studio, attributing earlier workplace issues to rapid growth and staffing shortages while maintaining that conditions had significantly improved by 2023.[25]
Filmography
Web series
| Title | Creator(s) | First released | Last released | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMG4 | Luke Lerdwichagul | 7 May 2011 | 27 December 2025 | [‡ 1] |
| TheAwesomeMario | 14 July 2013 | 31 December 2017 | [‡ 1] | |
| Hobo Bros. |
|
3 December 2016 | 1 January 2021 | [‡ 1] |
| Hitbox | 21 September 2018 | 20 December 2019 | [‡ 2] | |
| Meta Runner | 25 July 2019 | 10 September 2022 | [4] | |
| Sunset Paradise | 26 March 2021 | 31 July 2021 | [10] | |
| Murder Drones | Liam Vickers | 29 October 2021 | 23 August 2024 | [12] |
| The Amazing Digital Circus | Gooseworx | 13 October 2023 | 19 June 2026[b] | [14] |
| The Gaslight District | Nick Szopko | 18 April 2025 | TBA | [26] |
| Knights of Guinevere |
|
19 September 2025 | TBA | [18] |
Upcoming
| Title | Creator(s) | Releasing | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lackadaisy[c] | Tracy Butler | TBA | [21] |
Pilots
| Title | Creator(s) | First released | Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Jump Mania |
|
4 September 2020 | Cancelled | [‡ 4] |
| Gameoverse | Ross O'Donovan | 15 May 2026 | Awaiting greenlight | [23] |
Comics
Video games
- Glitch Karts (2025; developed by LWMedia)[28]
See also
- SpindleHorse – American independent animation studio
- Jellybox – American independent animation studio
Notes
- An acronym of "SuperMarioGlitchy4".
- The finale was originally released in theaters on 4 June 2026 as a cinematic event titled The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act.
- Co-production with Iron Circus Animation[22]
