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Glitch Productions

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(Redirected from Smg4)

Glitch Productions Pty. Ltd.
Glitch Productions
FormerlyGlitchy Boy (2017–2018)
TypePrivate
IndustryAnimation
Founded24 May 2017; 9 years ago (2017-05-24)
Founders
  • Kevin Lerdwichagul
  • Luke Lerdwichagul
Headquarters
Sydney, New South Wales
,
Australia
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Kevin Lerdwichagul (CEO)
  • Luke Lerdwichagul (CCO)
  • Jasmine Yang (COO)
ProductsComputer animation
Traditional animation
Number of employees
100+ (2026)
SubsidiariesFinalFinal_Project
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2017–present
GenreAnimation
Subscribers23.2 million
Views3.8 billion
Last updated: 28 July 2026
Websitewww.glitchprod.com Edit this at Wikidata

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.

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)

The profile picture for the SMG4 YouTube channel (2023–present)

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.
  • Kevin Lerdwichagul
  • Luke Lerdwichagul
 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
  • Luke Lerdwichagul
  • Kevin Lerdwichagul
 4 September 2020 Cancelled [‡ 4]
Gameoverse Ross O'Donovan 15 May 2026 Awaiting greenlight [23]

Comics

  • Meta Runner: Source (2022)[‡ 5]
  • Murder Drones (2026; produced by Oni Press under license from Glitch)[27]

Video games

  • Glitch Karts (2025; developed by LWMedia)[28]

See also

  • SpindleHorse – American independent animation studio
  • Jellybox – American independent animation studio

Notes

  1. ↑ An acronym of "SuperMarioGlitchy4".
  2. ↑ The finale was originally released in theaters on 4 June 2026 as a cinematic event titled The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act.
  3. ↑ Co-production with Iron Circus Animation[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2023: Media, Marketing, and Advertising". Forbes. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Asarch, Steven (26 January 2022). "The trippiest gamer on YouTube reveals the one line he'll never cross". Inverse. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Walker, Alex (26 July 2019). "Inside The Mario House That SMG4 Built". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Youtubers Kevin, Luke Lerdwichagul release Meta Runner online animated series". The Daily Telegraph. 16 July 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Hennessy, James (21 February 2020). "The world of film and TV is changing rapidly. Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason explains how the funding body keeps up". Business Insider Australia. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020.
  6. 1 2 Wright, Steve (25 June 2019). "Meta Runner is an anime funded by Screen Australia, Epic, AMD". Stevivor. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  7. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (18 March 2019). "Epic Games awards $500,000 in final Unreal Dev Grants". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Leah Williams (20 April 2020). "Screen Australia Funds Second Series For Aussie Esports Drama Meta Runner". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "Season Review: Meta Runner Season Three". Bubbleblabber. 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  10. 1 2 Sean Slatter (12 May 2021). "Screen Australia announces $1.3 million in online production funding across five projects". IF Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  11. ↑ Rouse, Lauren (26 October 2021). "This Aussie Animation Studio Has Made a New Horror Comedy About Murder Drones". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  12. 1 2 John Schwarz (9 October 2021). "Glitch Productions Reveals Murder Drones Complete With New Teaser". BubbleBlabber. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  13. ↑ Jamie Lang (7 November 2023). "Glitch Expo Will Live Stream Conversations With Indie Animation's Hottest Creators This Thursday". Cartoon Brew. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  14. 1 2 Schwarz, John (27 January 2023). "GLITCH PRODUCTIONS DATES MURDER DRONES EPISODE THREE; ANNOUNCES NEW SERIES". BubbleBlabber. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  15. ↑ Valens, Ana (25 October 2023). "Where and How To Watch 'The Amazing Digital Circus'". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  16. ↑ Chapman, Wilson (11 May 2026). "Popular YouTube Series 'The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act' Is Coming to Theaters — and Already Breaking Records for Fathom". IndieWire. Retrieved 22 July 2026. Kevin Lerdwichagul: The Amazing Digital Circus premiered on YouTube in 2023 and quickly became a word-of-mouth hit, it quickly helped the studio to expand along with it. At the time of the show's release, it employed around 20 to 25 artists; the show's success has allowed the company to hire over 100 artists to work on its various other projects. We had no idea what we were in for just before we dropped it. It was just something that we really wanted to make and we had a lot of fun doing it, and we discovered so much, but ever since it dropped, it exploded in popularity. it gave us the means to make even more shows, and grow the studio, and hire more artists.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ↑ Mullinax, Hope (23 September 2024). "Indie Animation Gets a Huge Win as 'The Amazing Digital Circus' Finds New Streaming Home". Collider. Archived from the original on 17 November 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  18. 1 2 Milligan, Mercedes (17 January 2025). "Glitch Prod. Teases 'Knights of Guinevere' from 'Owl House' Creator & Writers". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  19. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (29 August 2025). "'Knights of Guinevere' Full Trailer Arrives Ahead of Animated Thriller's Pilot Debut". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  20. ↑ Sarto, Dan (16 May 2025). "Prime Video Licenses Glitch Productions' 'Murder Drones' Web Series". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  21. 1 2 Milligan, Mercedes (10 October 2025). "'Lackadaisy' Getting Full Animated Series Treatment with Glitch Productions". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  22. 1 2 Chin, Sema (12 October 2025). "Indie Darling Lackadaisy Partners with Glitch Productions". New Leaf News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  23. 1 2 Milligan, Mercedes (23 January 2026). "Trailer: Glitch Prod. Announces 'Gameoverse' Animated Series Project". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  24. ↑ Ulatowski, Rachel (12 March 2024). "Breaking Down the Toxic Work Environment Allegations Against Glitch Productions". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  25. ↑ Schwarz, John (6 March 2024). "Glitch Productions CEO Releases Statement Following Allegations". Bubbleblabber. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  26. ↑ Schwarz, John (21 March 2025). "Glitch Productions Launches Trailer For "The Gaslight District"". Bubbleblabber. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "Glitch and Oni Press Launch 'Murder Drones: The Official Graphic Novel' Kickstarter". Animation World Network. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  28. ↑ "Glitch Karts". Kotaku. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2026.

Primary sources

In the text, these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. 1 2 3 4 SMG4 (24 May 2017). Big Things Are Happening (AND TONS OF AWESOME FAN ART!) - SMG4 Mail Time #10 (Video). Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 @SMG4 (5 September 2018). SMG4 Direct (HUGE CHANNEL UPDATE) (Video). Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ GLITCH (27 August 2020). WELCOME TO GLITCH!. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ GLITCH (4 September 2020). Ultra Jump Mania! (PILOT) (Video). Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ GLITCH (11 September 2022). Meta Runner: Source (THE BEGINNING OF IT ALL). Retrieved 21 May 2026 – via YouTube.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glitch_Productions&oldid=1366597515#Background"