Comic Republic, Partners Launch Animated Feature

Comic Republic’s animation arm, CR Motion Plus, has announced a strategic partnership with Arc and Beyond, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Megumi Okawa, a freelance production manager known for her work on ONE PIECE since 2023, to produce an animated feature adaptation of the acclaimed Nigerian graphic novel, Trials of the Spear.

Comic Republic’s animation arm said in a statement that the feature film would follow Dayo Darawu, an outcast who rises above rejection to undertake legendary trials in defense of his people.
“There is immense passion for anime across Africa, and this partnership creates a bridge for African talent to learn from some of the best in the world while sharing our stories on a global stage,” said Jide Martin, CEO of Comic Republic and Executive Producer of Trials of the Spear. “We are proud of what this represents not just for our teams, but for the future of African animation.”

Megumi Okawa, serving as production manager, described the project as “the first chapter of a grand journey brought to life by passionate Nigerian creators through their own voices and artistry.” She added, “I hope this work becomes a catalyst for deeper collaboration between our two creative worlds.”

Miyuki Kitabatake, TAIDO Project Leader at Arc and Beyond and Producer on the project, stated, “When I first saw the work from CR Motion Plus, I was deeply moved. With TAIDO, our mission is to connect Africa’s extraordinary talent with Japan’s decades of experience in animation. This partnership is about pioneering new visual expressions the world has never seen.”

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) highlighted the initiative’s significance in strengthening cultural and business ties. “Nigeria continues to captivate the world as a creative hub,” said Hokuto Shibata, Deputy Trade Commissioner, JETRO Lagos. “We believe this collaboration represents an important first step toward deeper creative and commercial partnerships between Japan and Nigeria.”

According to the statement, “The partnership marks another milestone in Comic Republic’s international expansion, following its recent collaboration with Universal Studios to explore film and television adaptations from its growing superhero universe. Rooted in Nigerian mythology and set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, Trials of the Spear is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, compelling narrative, and cinematic fight sequences — now being reimagined through the distinctive lens of Japanese anime artistry.

“Under the direction and production guidance of Megumi Okawa, the adaptation aims to fuse African storytelling with Japanese animation precision, targeting a global release in spring 2026. The collaboration, known as the TAIDO Project, is designed to create opportunities for African creatives to learn from Japan’s renowned animation industry while amplifying African stories on the world stage. Beyond producing the animated feature, the partnership aims to foster creative skill development, promote local employment, and define a new visual language that celebrates African identity.’’