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Walt Disney Animation Studios partnered with Pan-African comic book entertainment company, Kugali Media to create the animated series Iwájú.
MEET TOLA – Set in futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, “Iwájú” is a coming-of-age story from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali. Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) is an aspirational 10-year-old girl who refuses to accept the world for the way it is and prefers to see it for how it should be. She ultimately inspires the people around her. Her empathy and perceptiveness allow her to understand and connect with others. “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
BESTIES -- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali for “Iwájú”—an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. This exciting coming-of-age story follows the persistent and precocious Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) and her best friend Kole (voice of Siji Soetan), who’s a hardworking tech expert. “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
MEET BODE -- Set in futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, “Iwájú” is a coming-of-age story from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali. Bode DeSousa (voice of Femi Branch) is a seven-foot giant of a man who runs an underground criminal network. He sees himself as a sort of Robin Hood figure, but he basically keeps the riches he collects. “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Set in futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, “Iwájú” is a coming-of-age story from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali. Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) is an inquisitive 10-year-old girl who refuses to accept the world for the way it is and prefers to see it for how it should be. On her 10th birthday, Tola visits the mainland for the first time and also receives a surprising birthday gift from her father. “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
BEST FRIENDS -- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali for “Iwájú”—an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. This exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) and her best friend Kole (voice of Siji Soetan). “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY -- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali for “Iwájú”—an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. This exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) and her best friend Kole (voice of Siji Soetan). But Tola’s father, Tunde (voice of Dayo Okeniyi), a busy tech exec, isn’t a big fan of their friendship. “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
In a remarkable collaboration between two companies, a groundbreaking venture has come to life. The project, called Iwájú, takes place in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, where viewers witness the extraordinary journey of Tola, a young girl from a privileged household, and her closest ally, Kole, a self-taught tech genius. They embark on a journey that leads them to uncover the concealed secrets and lurking dangers that exist within their different worlds.
IWÁJÚ – (Pictured, L-R): Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Toluwalakin Olofoyeku, and Hamid Ibrahim. Photo by Emily Shur. © 2024 Emily Shur. All Rights Reserved.
The creators of Iwájú, Kugali Media co-founders Olufikayo “Ziki” Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku, have produced an enthralling and visually stunning futuristic portrayal of Lagos, Nigeria in their work. The city is depicted with a vibrant and lively palette of colors that paint a rich and immersive atmosphere, while its unique visual elements and intricate technological advancements are a testament to the creators’ imaginative vision. The strikingly beautiful portrayal of Lagos is inspired by the city’s dynamic and vibrant spirit, and the creators have done an excellent job of capturing its essence in their work.
HAPPINESS -- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali for “Iwájú”—an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. In the exciting coming-of-age story, a character called Happiness (voice of Bisola Aiyeola) is the right-hand woman of the head of an underground criminal network in which her high-tech gadgetry comes in handy. “Iwájú” streams on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
MEET OTIN -- “Iwájú,” an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria—a world bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos. Among them is Otin (voice of Weruche Opia), a high-tech robotic pet lizard with powerful capabilities. Kugali filmmakers—including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku—take viewers on a unique journey in this six-episode event. Produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen, and written by Adeola and Halima Hudson, “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ Feb. 28, 2024. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
CLEAR VISION – Set in futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, “Iwájú” is a coming-of-age story from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali. Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) is a curious and opinionated girl who’s eager to learn more about the world around her. A pair of high-tech glasses prove useful in her endeavors. “Iwájú” streams on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
MEET OTIN -- “Iwájú” is an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. Kugali filmmakers 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. Among them is Otin (voice of Weruche Opia), a high-tech robotic pet lizard with powerful capabilities. “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
HAPPINESS -- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali for “Iwájú”—an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. In the exciting coming-of-age story, a character called Happiness (voice of Bisola Aiyeola) is involved in an underground criminal network for which high-tech gadgetry comes in handy. “Iwájú” streams on Disney+ beginning Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
BEST FRIENDS -- In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African entertainment company Kugali for “Iwájú”—an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria. This exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) and her best friend Kole (voice of Siji Soetan). Kugali filmmakers Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim and 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. Produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen, and written by Adeola and Halima Hudson, “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
MEET TOLA – Set in futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, “Iwájú” is a coming-of-age story from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali. Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi) is a curious and opinionated girl who’s eager to learn more about the world around her. Kugali filmmakers Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim and 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. Produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen, and written by Adeola and Halima Hudson, “Iwájú” streams exclusively on Disney+ Feb. 28, 2024, in a six-episode event. © 2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
“IWÁJÚ” is all-new original long-form series created in collaboration with Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali. Kugali filmmakers Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim and Tolu Olowofoyeku call the series a love letter to Lagos, Nigeria. Their futuristic depiction is bursting with color, unique visual elements and technological advancements is inspired by the spirit of Lagos, which is physically divided into an island and a mainland separated by both water and socio-economic status. The coming-of-age story introduces Tola, a young heiress from the wealthy island, her best friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert and loving son from the mainland, and Tola’s calculating robotic pet lizard, Otin. “Iwájú” streams on Disney+ in 2024.
The Knockturnal spoke with Adeola, Ibrahim, and Olowofoyeku about this series and their experience working with Walt Disney Animation Studios on this project. Iwájú is now available exclusively on Disney+.
