Iwájú, meaning “the future” in Yoruba, ventures into uncharted territory for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, the animated miniseries promises to delve into themes of inequality, innocence, and challenging societal norms.
This groundbreaking project is the result of a pioneering collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali, helmed by its founders Tolu Olowofoyeku, Ziki Nelson, and Hamid Ibrahim.
Director Ziki Nelson expresses his personal connection to the project, stating, “Iwájú represents a personal childhood dream of mine to tell my story and that of my people, combining Disney’s magic and animation expertise with Kugali’s fire and storytelling authenticity.”
Taking a bold leap into uncharted territory, Disney’s Iwájú is set to be a six-episode animated miniseries created by Ziki Nelson, Hamid Ibrahim, and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku. Written by Adeola and Halima Hudson, and directed by Ziki Nelson, this venture marks a significant departure from Disney’s traditional format.
Set in a futuristic universe reminiscent of Wakanda, Iwájú follows the journey of a young girl named Tola, voiced by Simisola Gbadamosi. Accompanied by her best friend Kole and a new lizard companion named Otin, Tola embarks on a thrilling adventure through the streets of Lagos, encountering numerous challenges along the way.
What sets Iwájú apart is its format as a miniseries, a departure from Disney’s typical feature film format. Premiering all six episodes simultaneously on Disney+, Disney is venturing into new territory, signaling a willingness to experiment with storytelling formats.
As Disney seeks to navigate a changing entertainment landscape, Iwájú stands as an exciting experiment that may pave the way for future innovations in animation storytelling.
