Walt Disney Animation Studiosand the Pan-African entertainment companyKugalihave revealed the official trailer for their upcoming animated Disney+ series,Iwájú. Alongside this and a batch of new images, a release date has also been revealed, with all six episodes ofIwájúnow set to stream on Disney+ beginning Jun 15, 2025. The series is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali, and isset in a futuristicLagos, Nigeria, with the series set to explore an array of “deep themes” including “class, innocence and challenging the status quo.”
Alongside the new trailer and images, you’re able to also check out the official synopsis forIwájúbelow.
Set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, the exciting coming-of-age story follows Tola (voice of Simisola Gbadamosi), a young girl from the wealthy island, and her best friend, Kole (voice of Siji Soetan), a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds.
Kugali filmmakers, including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, take viewers on a unique journey into the world ofIwájú, bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos. The series is produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen with a screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson.Iwájúfeatures the voices of Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia.
Filmmaker Ziki Adeola has teased the series, revealing that it will blend “the rich cultural tapestry of Lagos with imaginative leaps into the future.”
“Crafting the narrative of ‘Iwájú’ has been a journey of creative alchemy, blending the rich cultural tapestry of Lagos with imaginative leaps into the future. Collaborating with my Kugali co-founders and the visionary artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios has been nothing short of magical. The heartbeat of my hometown resonates through every scene, and I am thrilled for the world to experience this unique fusion of tradition and futurism.”
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A Documentary and Video Game Is Due for Iwájú
Also debuting Feb. 28 onDisney+isIwájú: A Day Ahead, a documentary special filmed across three continents that shares the story of the founders of the Pan-African entertainment company, Kugali, who made their dream a reality by creating an original animation series with Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Directed by Megan Harding and executive produced by Amy Astley and Beth Hoppe,Iwájú: A Day Aheadis created by the ABC News Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios team that brought us “Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2.” The documentary will strive to show that anything is possible when talent meets opportunity.
Also revealed today is an all-new game inspired by the animated series. Disney’sIwájú: Rising Chefwill take players into the world of the show and allow them to explore authentic African delicacies through this fast-paced and accessible cooking game that celebrates the culture and cuisine of Nigeria. Developed byMaliyo Games in collaboration with Disney and Kugali,Iwájú: Rising Chefwill allow players to advance their culinary skills, become the best chef in Lagos, and take over the fanciest restaurant in town.Iwájú: Rising Chefwill be available for iOS and Android on Feb. 28, to coincide with the debut of the Disney+ series.
Kugali is an African-owned and operated storytelling collective spearheading Africa’s modern emergence into the AAA media landscape. Founded in 2017 by Tolu Olowofoyeku, Olufikayo Adeola and Hamid Ibrahim with the purpose of taking African stories to the world, Kugali Media has attracted recognition from companies like Disney and the BBC, as well as paved the way for a generation ofnew African storytellersto find their voices in graphic novels. Their most notable achievements include record-breaking crowdfunding campaigns, a slew of award-winning graphic novels and their upcoming Disney+ series in collaboration with Disney Animation,Iwájú.
