Walt Disney Animation Studios has partnered with the Pan-African entertainment company Kugali to create a new animated Disney+ series called Iwájú. The series features all six episodes and is set to stream on Disney+ this February.
The show is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the two companies, set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. The plot revolves around a young girl named Tola and her friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds.
The series explores deep themes such as class, innocence, and challenging the status quo. Kugali filmmakers, including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim, and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, take viewers on a unique journey into the world of Iwájú. Bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos, the series is produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen with a screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson.
The cast features the voices of Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan, and Weruche Opia. Filmmaker Ziki Adeola has teased the series, revealing that it will blend “the rich cultural tapestry of Lagos with imaginative leaps into the future.”
