Kugali and Disney: Iwájú Bringing African Stories to the World

Walt Disney Animation Studios debuted Iwájú, the first Nigerian animated TV series on Disney+, in tandem with Kugali Media. With this joint venture, Disney marks their first long-form series and their first working with an outside creative business, therefore providing Africans a voice on a worldwide scene.

The Chronicles of Iwájú

Science fiction coming-of-age story Iwájú is set in futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. The show centers on Tola, the daughter of an eminent tech inventor, and her buddy Kole, a self-taught tech wizard from the impoverished mainland. When crime boss Bode targets Tola, the story gets more complex. Otin, a protective little orange robot lizard, also lives with them. Co-screenwriter and director Olufikayo “Ziki” Adeola claims the show looks at issues of inequity, innocence, and the ties that either bind or separate us.

The Trip Through Kugali Media

Kugali Media originated with a podcast named “Tao of Otaku,” produced by Ziki and his long-time companion Tolu. Beginning in 2015, this podcast highlighted comics, manga, anime, and science fiction. Seeking African material, they founded Kugali Media with an eye on elevating world-class African stories. Derived from the Swahili word “kujali,” meaning “to care,” the company’s name captures their goal of using several mediums to promote and preserve African culture.

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The Original with Disney

The turning point came when Kugali Media appeared in a BBC interview and drew attention from Jennifer Lee, the Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation. Inspired by Kugali’s vision and desire, Disney got in touch, resulting in a novel alliance. Disney’s aim of diversifying its material for Disney+ matched Kugali’s objective of presenting African stories on a worldwide stage.

Work and Cooperation in Production

Disney Animation in Burbank, Kugali in Lagos and London, and Cinesite in Montreal and Vancouver all contributed to the Iwáj production. Inspired by the vivid energy of Lagos, the animation technique uses painterly quality to capture the city’s dynamic character. This collaboration gave Kugali a priceless understanding of Disney’s technological knowledge, thereby improving their capacity.

A Future Vision

In Yoruba, Iwájú—meaning “the future”—marks a turning point for African animation’s narrative. Ziki, Tolu, and Hamid Ibrahim, the production designers of Kugali, are committed to crafting exceptional African stories through art and animation. Their dedication to honesty guarantees that every narrative they share offers something fresh and original.

The force of cultural cooperation is demonstrated by the alliance between Kugali Media and Disney Animation through Iwájú. It emphasizes how African stories have the power to captivate viewers around the world and serves as a model for future animation projects.