Disney debuts first-of-its-kind Nigerian animated series

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The first Nigerian animated series produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios in partnership with Pan-African British entertainment company Kugali Media debuted on the Disney+ streaming service.

Iwájú, the series title, which roughly translates to "the future" in the Yoruba language is a first-of-its-kind collaboration by Disney Animation Studios and an external collaborator aired on the Disney+ streaming platform on February 28 to a positive reception from fans

The six-episode limited animated series is set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, and follows wealthy island resident Tola and mainland resident Kole as they learn about the dangers in both places, delving into issues of class and going against the status quo.

"One of the things that intrigued me the most are the social cultural and social political dynamics in Lagos, where you have these two land masses, the mainland, where most of the working class and less wealthy people live. And then you have the island in Lagos today, where most of the wealthier people live… But specifically, with Iwájú, I'd always wanted to tell a story that re-imagines Lagos, Nigeria, where I'm from, through a futuristic lens," Olufikayo Adeola, who wrote and directed the show told ABC.

"It was very important to me that anyone who has been to Lagos or has lived in Lagos, even though this is a futuristic sci-fi story, anyone who knows Lagos would be able to watch this and recognise their Lagos in the story," he added.

After its premiere, Disney announced that the animated series will become available across the continent on Sub-Saharan African broadcast service DStv from April 22 to April 26.

Here are a few fan reactions on social media.

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