{ "id": "epcrb0tn8n", "slug": "iwaju", "title": "Iwájú", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv", "label": "Scripted television and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series", "label": "Animated television series (individual series)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas", "label": "Children's animated adventure and fantasy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas.superhero-and-action-adventure-series", "label": "Superhero and action-adventure series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas.superhero-and-action-adventure-series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas.superhero-and-action-adventure-series.yr-2017-2025", "label": "Premiered 2017 to 2025", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas.superhero-and-action-adventure-series.yr-2017-2025" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: Children's animated adventure and fantasy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv", "label": "Scripted television and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series", "label": "Animated television series (individual series)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas", "label": "Children's animated adventure and fantasy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas" } ] }, { "id": "geo.afr.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Sub-Saharan Africa · 2021 and later: Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.afr.t2021.culture.performance", "path": [ { "id": "geo.afr", "label": "Sub-Saharan Africa", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.afr" }, { "id": "geo.afr.t2021", "label": "Sub-Saharan Africa · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.afr.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.afr.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.afr.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.afr.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.afr.t2021.culture.performance" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Iwájú is a 2024 six-episode Disney+ animated sci-fi series by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Kugali, set in futuristic Lagos, following Tola and Kole across class divides; Yoruba for \"the future.\"", "snippet": "Iwájú is a 2024 six-episode Disney+ animated sci-fi series by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Kugali, set in futuristic Lagos, following Tola and Kole across class divides; Yoruba for \"the future.\"", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv.animated-series.children-s-animated-adventure-and-fantas.superhero-and-action-adventure-series.yr-2017-2025", "markdown": "# Iwájú\n\n**Iwájú** is a six-episode animated science-fiction series produced by [Walt Disney Animation Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/walt-disney-animation-studios) in collaboration with the Pan-African entertainment company Kugali, set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria and released on Disney+ on February 28, 2024.[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus) The title comes from part of a phrase in the [Yoruba language](https://www.edgepedia.org/yoruba-language), \"Ojó iwájú,\" meaning \"the day ahead\" or \"the future.\"[2](https://www.awn.com/animationworld/weaving-through-fabric-disney-and-kugalis-iw-j) The coming-of-age story follows Tola, a young girl from Lagos's wealthy island, and her best friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert from the mainland, as they discover the secrets and dangers of their different worlds.[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Format | Six-episode animated limited series, TV-PG, episodes about 23 minutes[3](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/iwaju) |\n| Premiere | All six episodes streamed on Disney+ on February 28, 2024[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus) |\n| Studios | Walt Disney Animation Studios and Kugali, described as a first-of-its-kind collaboration[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus) |\n| Setting | Futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, with themes of class, innocence, and challenging the status quo[3](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/iwaju) |\n| Lead voice cast | Simisola Gbadamosi (Tola), Dayo Okeniyi (Tunde), Femi Branch (Bode DeSousa), Siji Soetan (Kole), Weruche Opia (Otin)[4](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/iwaju_project_profile_updated_final_02-02-24_12fb8cdb.pdf) |\n| Audience score | 7.1/10 on IMDb from roughly 1,400 votes[3](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/iwaju) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Premise and story\n\nThe series is set in a future Lagos divided between the wealthy island and the mainland. Tola Martins, a sheltered ten-year-old living on the plush island with her father Tunde, receives a robotic agama lizard called Otin for her birthday, built by Tunde, a tech genius whose work with robotics and AI has kept him from bonding with his daughter.[5](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/review-iwaju/) Eager to see the mainland against her father's wishes, Tola goes with Kole to the Ajegunle Market and falls into the hands of Bode DeSousa, a crime lord who runs a kidnapping racket extracting ransoms from wealthy parents.[5](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/review-iwaju/)\n\nThe six episodes are titled \"Iwájú,\" \"Bode,\" \"Kole,\" \"Tunde,\" \"Otin,\" and \"Tola.\"[6](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-94130e77-14b6-4b45-978e-5eaccdd60831) Across the season, Kole's impoverished family owes a debt to Bode, who pressures him to hand over his friend, while Tunde works to rescue his daughter and Kole discovers the truth about Tola's pet lizard.[6](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-94130e77-14b6-4b45-978e-5eaccdd60831) Reviewers highlighted the show's focus on economic disparity between the two halves of Lagos as central to the story.[5](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/review-iwaju/)\n\n## Production and the Disney–Kugali collaboration\n\n**Kugali Media** is an African-owned storytelling collective founded in 2017 by Tolu Olowofoyeku, Olufikayo Adeola, and Hamid Ibrahim to take African stories to the world; its roots lie in a weekly podcast called \"Tao of Otaku\" started in 2015, covering comics, manga, anime, and science fiction.[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus) • [7](https://vfxvoice.com/kugali-and-disney-bringing-african-stories-to-the-world-with-iwaju/) The project was announced in December 2020, when Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee described the partnership as a first-of-its-kind collaboration for the studio.[8](https://www.awn.com/news/disney-and-comic-book-publisher-kugali-team-iw-j-animated-series) The collaboration began after Kugali's founders told the BBC they wanted to beat Disney at its own game, and Disney suggested a partnership instead.[9](https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/iwaju/)\n\nKugali filmmakers led key creative roles: Olufikayo Ziki Adeola directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Halima Hudson, Hamid Ibrahim served as production designer, and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku served as cultural consultant, with Christina Chen producing.[4](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/iwaju_project_profile_updated_final_02-02-24_12fb8cdb.pdf) The 3DCG animation was produced by Cinesite, marking that studio's first animated project with Walt Disney Animation Studios.[2](https://www.awn.com/animationworld/weaving-through-fabric-disney-and-kugalis-iw-j) Adeola said it was important that anyone who had lived in Lagos would recognize their Lagos in the story, combining authenticity with a sense of escapism.[10](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-28/iwaju-disney-plus-kugali-pan-african-lagos-nigeria-animation-/103519420) The visual design draws on geometric and nature-inspired patterns and African fashion, and the futuristic setting includes flying luxury cars and recognizable features of the city, from its island geography to street vendors selling Lagosian cuisine.[2](https://www.awn.com/animationworld/weaving-through-fabric-disney-and-kugalis-iw-j) • [11](https://kuwaittimes.com/uploads/pdf/2024/02/29/kt_pdf-20240229-1.pdf?ts=215442)\n\nA behind-the-scenes documentary, \"Iwájú: A Day Ahead,\" produced by ABC News Studios and Disney Animation and directed by Megan Harding, debuted on Disney+ the same day as the series, telling the story of Kugali's founders.[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus)\n\n## Release and availability\n\nAll six episodes streamed on Disney+ on February 28, 2024 in the United States and other territories.[1](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus) Because Disney+ was not available in Nigeria or most of [Sub-Saharan Africa](https://www.edgepedia.org/sub-saharan-africa) at the time, the series reached Nigerian audiences through the [Disney Channel](https://www.edgepedia.org/disney-channel), with scheduled broadcasts starting at the end of April 2024, a repeat run from April 29 to May 4, and a special stream on Africa Day, May 25.[12](https://www.okayafrica.com/how-to-watch-iwaju-kugali-and-disneys-new-animated-series-in-africa/299037) A German premiere followed on April 10, 2024.[13](https://serienjunkies.de/iwaju/) The series is a miniseries with no further seasons ordered, and it remains available on Disney+.[14](https://mdblist.com/show/1hklh-iwaju) • [3](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/iwaju)\n\n## Reception\n\nThe series holds a 7.1/10 rating on IMDb from about 1,400 votes, and a 45% [JustWatch](https://www.edgepedia.org/justwatch) rating from 240 users.[3](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/iwaju) Reviewers described it as a vibrant, fast-paced Afrofuturist coming-of-age tale that treats inequality and class divisions directly, and compared its tone and appeal to Disney's *Big Hero 6*.[5](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/review-iwaju/) A Plugged In review noted the show's clean content profile through its early episodes, with no profanity and villains in the mold of classic Disney antagonists.[9](https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/iwaju/) For Kugali, the collaboration validated the company's mission, summarized by its founders as E.I.Q.: growing Africa's creative economy, innovation led by Africans, and high-quality stories.[2](https://www.awn.com/animationworld/weaving-through-fabric-disney-and-kugalis-iw-j)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Disney Animation/Kugali Original Series \"Iwájú\" To Stream On Disney+ Beginning Feb. 28, Disney Plus Press](https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-animation-kugali-series-iwaju-to-stream-on-disney-plus)\n2. [Weaving Through the Fabric of Disney and Kugali's 'Iwájú', Animation World Network](https://www.awn.com/animationworld/weaving-through-fabric-disney-and-kugalis-iw-j)\n3. [Iwájú - watch tv show streaming online, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/iwaju)\n4. [Iwájú project profile, Walt Disney Animation Studios](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/iwaju_project_profile_updated_final_02-02-24_12fb8cdb.pdf)\n5. [Review: 'Iwájú', Murphy's Multiverse](https://www.murphysmultiverse.com/review-iwaju/)\n6. [Iwájú episode guide, Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-94130e77-14b6-4b45-978e-5eaccdd60831)\n7. [Kugali and Disney: Bringing African Stories to the World with Iwájú, VFX Voice](https://vfxvoice.com/kugali-and-disney-bringing-african-stories-to-the-world-with-iwaju/)\n8. [Disney and Comic Book Publisher Kugali Team Up on 'Iwájú' Animated Series, Animation World Network](https://www.awn.com/news/disney-and-comic-book-publisher-kugali-team-iw-j-animated-series)\n9. [Iwájú, Plugged In review](https://www.pluggedin.com/tv-reviews/iwaju/)\n10. [Iwájú is the result of a 'groundbreaking' Disney Animation and Pan-African partnership, ABC News](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-28/iwaju-disney-plus-kugali-pan-african-lagos-nigeria-animation-/103519420)\n11. [Kuwait Times Lifestyle, February 29, 2024](https://kuwaittimes.com/uploads/pdf/2024/02/29/kt_pdf-20240229-1.pdf?ts=215442)\n12. [How to Watch 'Iwájú' in Africa, OkayAfrica](https://www.okayafrica.com/how-to-watch-iwaju-kugali-and-disneys-new-animated-series-in-africa/299037)\n13. [Iwájú - Streams, Episodenguide und News, Serienjunkies](https://serienjunkies.de/iwaju/)\n14. [Iwájú (2024), MDBList](https://mdblist.com/show/1hklh-iwaju)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Animated television series (individual series) › Children's animated adventure and fantasy series › Superhero and action-adventure series › Premiered 2017 to 2025*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Iwájú\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Iwájú](https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju](https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Iwájú\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/iwaju. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Iwájú is a 2024 six-episode Disney+ animated sci-fi series by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Kugali, set in futuristic Lagos, following Tola and Kole across class divides; Yoruba for \"the future.\"" }