From Yoruba mythology to superheroes in Lusaka, these series and films show the range of stories African animators are telling
African animation is bringing the continent’s stories to life through superheroes, mythology, science fiction and imaginative retellings of familiar tales.
From productions rooted in specific African cities and cultures to collaborations reaching international audiences, these five titles showcase the variety of stories African creators are putting on screen.
1. Iyanu (Nigeria)
Inspired by Nigerian writer Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series, Iyanu takes viewers into a fictional kingdom shaped by Yoruba mythology and history.
Its central character is an orphaned teenage girl who discovers she possesses extraordinary powers that could determine the future of her people. As she learns to understand her abilities, she becomes entangled in a larger struggle involving ancient forces and the fate of her kingdom.
The animated series has reached international audiences through Cartoon Network and HBO Max.
2. David (South Africa)
South African animation studio Sunrise Animation Studios brought the biblical story of David to the big screen in this animated musical feature.
The film follows the young shepherd’s journey from tending his father’s flock to confronting Goliath and eventually becoming king. Its production combines detailed 3D animation with an original score by composer Joseph Trapanese, giving the familiar biblical narrative a cinematic treatment.
3. Supa Team 4 (Zambia)
A futuristic Lusaka provides the setting for Supa Team 4, an animated action-comedy created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema.
The story centers on four schoolgirls recruited by a retired secret agent to protect their city while juggling the demands of ordinary teenage life. Through its characters and setting, the Netflix production places a Zambian city at the center of a superhero adventure.
It was the streaming platform’s first original African animated series.
4. Twende (Kenya)
A pangolin with an unusually relaxed pace takes center stage in Twende, a Kenyan-developed animated comedy.
Working as a courier in the fictional city of Milima, he encounters the unpredictable world of boda-boda transport, eccentric residents and the everyday chaos of urban life.
Commissioned by Showmax as its first original 2D animated production, the series draws its humor and setting from recognizable East African experiences.
5. Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (pan-African)
African folklore, mythology and imagined futures come together in Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, a 10-part science-fiction anthology distributed by Disney+.
The collection brings together filmmakers from across Africa, including Zimbabwe, Uganda and Egypt, to explore different visions of the continent’s future.
Its stories move through worlds populated by spirit creatures, alien powers, advanced technology and digital interpretations of ancestral existence. Rather than following one continuous storyline, each episode offers a distinct creative interpretation of African futurism.
