Here’s an Exclusive First Look at a Scene from Disney+’s Lagos-inspired Series,“Iwájú”
The scene, titled “The Real Lagos,” introduces viewers to the show's main characters, and the cultural specificity of the world they live in.
Helmed in collaboration with Kugali Media and the Walt Disney Animation Studios, Iwájú has been five years in the making. In a first for the seminal American production giant, its partnership with the pan-African animation studio, Kugali Media, is a boundary-pushing endeavor that centers a uniquely Nigerian and African story.
For Disney, elevating the work of African animators and storytellers has come to the fore in recent years. This past weekend, the Triggerfish co-produced Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, premiered and currently streaming on Disney+, won one of the two Africa-related awards at the Annies. Iwájú takes things a step further, not just as commissioned work for Disney+, but also as a true creative synergy between a fledgling studio started by three African dreamers and a production powerhouse that has created some of the greatest animated features ever made.
Iwájú is set to premiere on Disney+ on February 28, along with a custom mobile game on android and iOS. In the 6-part limited series, viewers watch real time social issues unfurl with a relatable verve, and it’s by turns funny, engaging and heartwarming. Set in a futuristic version of Lagos, the technical aspects of the animations are deeply tethered to the culture, visual markers and very spirit of Lagos.
Below, OkayAfrica shares an exclusive look at Iwájú, giving you a peek into the cultural specificity and creative visuals that will no doubt hold viewers’ attention through its run time. In this scene, we’re introduced to the protagonist, 10-year old Tola, as she ventures into a previously uncharted side of futuristic Lagos, in the company of her friend, Kole.