Disney+ has a cool new animated series titled Iwájú. Iwájú is an animated television miniseries produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Pan-African British-based entertainment company Kugali Media. The series premiered on Disney+ on February 28, 2024, and consists of six episodes.
Iwájú is set in Lagos, Nigeria, but not your regular Lagos. It’s a futuristic Lagos with super cool technology, inspired by African culture and traditions.
Let’s explore this thrilling series where traditional meets modern, and you’ll understand why there’s so much excitement about it. Whether you’re a fan of Afrofuturism or just eager for a new animated series, stay tuned—I’ll fill you in on both exciting and disappointing aspects of Iwájú.
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The Story of Iwájú
Iwájú’s story kicks off with our curious friend Tola feeling restless on her posh island home. She’s itching to see more of this incredible futuristic Lagos, especially the parts beyond the fancy bubble she lives in.
That’s where her tech-savvy bestie Kole comes in. Together, they team up to explore the city’s hidden corners, venturing into areas that aren’t exactly meant for tourists. Along the way, they face some challenges and uncover secrets about this futuristic Lagos.
The movie hints at some really cool tech stuff. There’s also a chance they bump into some troublemakers who want to cause problems in this high-tech world. Will Tola and Kole be able to overcome these obstacles and unravel the mysteries of Iwájú? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out!
Why Watch Disney+’s Iwájú?
Imagine a captivating story that blends the vibrant energy of Lagos with futuristic technology. That’s the magic you’ll find in Disney+’s Iwájú! Here’s what makes this show a must-watch.
Great Story and Storytelling
Iwájú steps away from the typical Hollywood stories. It brings a unique African perspective to the world of animation, showcasing Lagos in all its amazing glory. The story itself is full of adventure, keeping you guessing about what they’ll find next in this future Lagos.
The series has six episodes. The first episode introduces us to the five main characters—Bode, Tunde, Tola, Kole and Otin. Then the remaining five episodes focus on each character, even getting named after them. Flashback is used to explain the characters motivation and background. It is done in a way that doesn’t distract from the main plot.
Topnotch Animation
The animation is fantastic too, with its bold colors and unique style bringing the world to life. The attention to detail was top notch. The whole idea of a super high-tech Nigeria in the future is just mind-blowing. It’s awesome to see Lagos city reimagined in such a cool way. Awesome tech stuff like flying cars and Keke’s. Spy level gadgets like glasses that can stream live and connect to the internet.
Characters You’ll Love
The characters are another win. Tola and Kole are a fun duo to follow, with Tola’s curiosity and Kole’s tech skills making them a great team. They’re chasing their dreams and facing challenges along the way, just like real people!
These characters are voiced by familiar voices such as Femi Branch, Chigul, Bisola Aiyeola, Shaffy Bello, and Ireti Doyle. Not to mention the beautiful voices of Simisola Gbadamosi and Siji Soetan, who voiced Tola and Kole respectively.
A Blend of Old and New
The series doesn’t forget its roots. It easily combines traditional Nigerian elements with futuristic concepts. It’s like stepping into a world where anything is possible! It mixes all this futuristic stuff with amazing Nigerian culture, making the world feel fresh and exciting.
We see some of the characters slipping into Yoruba and pidgin easily. We see the characters dressed in agbada, senator, even aso oke style clothings. We also get to see food we are familiar with like puff puff and Amala.
Something for Everyone
Whether you love action, drama, or just a good story, Iwájú has it all. It’s a show that the whole family can enjoy together. So, if you’re looking for an animation adventure that will take you on a thrilling ride, you should check out Disney+’s Iwájú. You won’t be disappointed!
The Downsides of Disney+’s Iwájú
While Iwájú is a breath of fresh air in the animation world, it’s important to consider some things before hitting play:
The Accent Struggle
There were moments in the series when the accent seemed to struggle. The pidgin felt forced, as if it were added just to indicate that the characters can speak pidgin. It didn’t integrate smoothly into the dialogue, making it sound stilted and unrealistic at times. It doesn’t exactly portray Nigerian pidgin.
The Soundtrack Was Disappointing
For a series about a country regarded as the home of Afrobeats, only a few of the Afrobeats songs we know and love were featured. At the beginning, the movie opens with a great song that gets you bopping along, and there was a cool insert in the middle, but after that, the movie was almost silent.
Disney is known for their great original music, even for movies that are not musicals. I was expecting something similar, but I was very disappointed on this front. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with Nigerian artists to bring this story to life.
The Mainland Island Separation
The contrast between the mainland and the island is inaccurate. The island looks like heaven and the mainland just looks like the ghetto. This is not how it really is in present day Lagos. Yes the island is very beautiful but so is the mainland. The mainland featured in the series was only Ajegunle. While this helps push the idea of the movie, it offers a very stilted view of Lagos.
Limited Availability
Being a new show, Iwájú is not available in all regions on Disney+ yet. Depending on where you live, you might have to wait a bit to see it. However, Iwájú is a breath of fresh air. It’s a fun and exciting movie that celebrates African culture and shows what the future might hold. So, even if it’s not showing in your region yet, Iwájú is definitely worth the wait.
Diving Deeper: The Themes of Iwájú
Iwájú isn’t just a fun adventure story. It also explores some important ideas that make you think. Let’s take a peek at some of the big themes you’ll encounter:
The Rich and the Not-So-Rich: The show shines a light on the gap between the wealthy and the less fortunate. Tola, from a fancy island, experiences a whole different Lagos compared to Kole, who lives on the mainland. This makes you think about fairness and how everyone deserves a shot at a good life.
Friendship Power: One of the strongest themes in Iwájú is the friendship between Tola and Kole. Even though they come from different backgrounds, they stick together through thick and thin. This shows that friendship can bridge any divide and that together, you can achieve great things.
Unity in Diversity: Lagos, as depicted in Iwájú, is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. The show celebrates this diversity and shows how people from different walks of life can come together and work towards a common goal, even a criminal one.
Following Your Dreams: Both Tola and Kole have big dreams they chase after. Tola wants to explore Ajegunle, and Kole wants to be a tech whiz. The show encourages you to hold onto your dreams, even if they seem impossible.
Facing Your Fears: There’s a lot of adventure in Iwájú, which means there’s also danger. The characters have to face their fears and overcome challenges. This is a relatable theme because everyone faces fears in life. Iwájú shows that even when you’re scared, you can find the courage to keep going.
These are just some of the themes you’ll find in Iwájú. While it’s an entertaining show, it also gives you something to think about.
Final Thoughts on Iwájú
Iwájú is more than just a movie. It’s a celebration of African culture and a glimpse into a future filled with possibility. It shows that Africa can be a leader in tech and innovation, all while staying true to its roots.
If you’re looking for something fun to watch, check out Iwájú! You might just discover a new favorite movie and a whole new way of thinking about the future. And who knows, maybe it’ll even inspire you to create your own Afrofuturistic story!