Nelvana Limited (often called Nelvana Studios, Nelvana Enterprises or simply Nelvana, currently stylized as nelvana) was founded in July 1971 in Canada by Michael Hirsh (now in the directory of Frederator Studios), Patrick Loubert, and Clive A. Smith to produce and distribute children's animated shows and movies originally. The original specials the company produced (from 1977 to 1980) were distributed by Viacom Enterprises. Until 1985, the company did not have an animated logo separate from the credits at the end of their shows, instead using an in-credit version of its logo. It is a subsidiary of the Canadian media company Corus Entertainment. Nelvana has all licensed properties on all characters based on original products and books and is the longest-living animation studio based in Toronto, Ontario. The company also has an international division to distribute programs and movies internationally known as Nelvana International. The company's name originally came from a Canadian comic book superheroine from the 1940s named Nelvana of the Northern Lights, but the three decided to use a polar bear instead for a logo in order to avoid confusion. Nelvana's best-known productions include Rock & Rule, the Care Bears movies, the original Babar animated series, the Beetlejuice animated series, The Magic School Bus, Franklin, The Backyardigans, Max & Ruby, Cyberchase, Beyblade and Donkey Kong Country, among many others; Nelvana is highly regarded in the Canadian animation industry. On September 2, 2025, after various rumors about the fate of the company from former employees, Nelvana went dormant as Corus announced that they would cease the company's new productions for the time being. The brand now handles distribution and merchandising of its existing properties.