Iwájù, the first ever original, Disney made Nigerian animation series will premiere on February 28 on Disney+.
The official trailer for the limited animation series was released on the Walt Disney Animation Studios YouTube account, on February 14.
Set in the futuristic Nigeria, Lagos Mainland, it is the story Tola, a young girl from a wealthy Island and her best friend Kole, a self-taught techie, as they embark on an adventure in the ‘real and gritty side of Lagos’ discovering the dangers and secrets in their different world.
A collaborative project of Disney Animation and the Kugali Filmmakers – comprising director, Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim as Production Designer and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, the limited series is produced by Disney Animation’s Christian Chen, with screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson.
It features a voice cast comprising Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia.
Open to explore the concept of a futuristic Africa, netizens weighed in on Iwájù:
“I love how original, adventurous and fun this looks. Futuristic Nigeria is such a cool concept,” said @user-ue7jd9ub3o
“This is really interesting. I’ve read African science fiction novels before. But I never got to see anything like that in the world of animation. It already looks cool, and the story could be interesting. I am actually going to give this a shot once its available to watch. Hope it’s good,” @bravestraven.
“Anyone else think the lizard looks like the protagonist from the scrapped Pixar animation Newt? If that’s intentional, then that is a really great way to carry on the spirit of the project,” @AlexG-jk8tc.
However, some netizens are worried its neither an original rather a glorified version of Wakanda in animation form.
“Do you realize it’s an obvious play at Wakanda from Black Panther?” @jefry8393
“@lacrosse.captain those guys don’t sound like us.” @aliyahsulaiman4695
“It’s actually the Fire Spirit from Frozen,” @Lumi-OF-Model2
“Eating up Disney’s woke bullcrap as usual, aren’t you?” said @1992disney
Viewers await the series premiere to decide whether it’s a woke or a half-assed attempt at representation. It is a start though to the representation of Africa, her is to hoping it is done right.
