The Manchester Christmas TV advert is back – and it’s another tearjerker

The premiere of Manchester’s Christmas TV animation is becoming almost as eagerly anticipated as the John Lewis and Marks and Spencer’s festive adverts.

And council bosses have created another tear-jerker with their new cartoon which was premiered on social media on Monday night.

Past films have tugged and strained at the city’s heart strings, giving the big name retailer adverts a run for their money.

This year is an equally tear-jerking affair, following the heartfelt journey of a young girl whose only Christmas wish is to find new friends, who will welcome her with open arms.

Released just after the Christmas Markets launched in Manchester at the weekend, the animation introduces us to Maya who is new to the city, penning a letter to Santa asking for help.

The letter magically shoots up the chimney and begins a journey through the city – seen in animated form with landmarks like the Beetham Tower, Manchester Central and the town hall.

Maya is seen in frantic pursuit bumping in to a host people – taking in the Christmas Markets, the Ice Rink and Ice Cavern in Cathedral Gardens, before landing in Santa’s hands back at the markets.

Santa inspects the letter, sees Maya’s tearjerking message for friends – and gestures to a crowd forming behind Maya.

To her surprise she sees all of the people she bumped into on her journey and now they are asking her to join them.

Santa’s work is done and he throws the letter up to the sky, before a message plays across the screen saying simply: “Come Together for Christmas, Love Manchester”.

While the film carries a message of the true meaning of Christmas – of love and friendship over the festive season – viewers may note that the style of this year’s animation appears to be reflected in the design of the 2019 Christmas Market mugs.

The animation, created by Manchester Council’s communications team, M-Four Design Studio and Flow Creative, premiered on the Council’s social media accounts on Monday night.

It was teased by council bosses with the message: “Get ready to feel all the feels”.

The Christmas advert comes amid plenty more festive launches this week for the council – with the big Christmas Lights switch-on event scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 14th at a new location on Deansgate this year.

And at some point this week we should get our first look at the brand new massive Santa – who is replacing the old Zippy Santa sculpture – and will be unveiled at his new home on Piccadilly Gardens.