Among the shows and movies discussed at D23 Exhibition before this month was the previously reported Dish African animated series, Iwájú. The series marks a significant first for Disney as its setting is new for the organization as well as their first collaboration with an outside animation studio for Disney+. To create the series Disney is working entertainment organization Kugali. Kugali filmmakers Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim and Tolu Olowofoyeku are a focal piece of the story which is described as being a “futuristic depiction” of the African nations. You can look at the first look photo from the series beneath.

According to a press release Iwájú is set in a world bursting with variety, extraordinary visual elements and mechanical advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos, which is physically partitioned into an island and a mainland separated by both water and socio-economic status. The coming old enough story introduces Tola, a youthful heiress from the rich island, and her best companion Kole, a self-showed tech master and loving son from the mainland.

“Back in the beginning of 2019, I saw a news piece about a gathering of storytellers form NIgeria and Uganda,” Disney Animation CCO Jennifer Lee previously said about the series. “The title of this video was ‘Dish African Comic Book Hopes to Kick Disney’s., guess what. I was intrigued. Here were three gifted comic book artists, Tolu Olowofoyeku, Ziki Nelson, and Hamid Ibrahim, established an entertainment organization called Kugali. Their fantasy was to bring African stories, created by African artists to the world through comics and animation, highlighting the diversity of cultures, history, and voices across the continent. Their talents as storytellers blew us away. I’m pleased to report a first of its kind collaboration, as Kugali and Disney Animation collaborate to bring their original long-form series to Disney+.”

Iwájú is set to launch on Disney+ in 2023. The series was one of several new animation projects that made it into the spotlight at D23 including the upcoming Zootopia+ collection series, the upcoming Strange World feature film, and the just declared Wish, scheduled for a Fall 2023 premiere.