by Ify Obi

Disney+ has released Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, its original pan-African animated series. 

The action-packed 10-part anthology portrays African mythology from an Afro-futuristic lens featuring animators from 6 different African countries. The series blends ancient African histories and folklore within a more contemporary-facing setting. Viewers are transported into a world where robotic birds, radioactive octopi, flying minibus taxis, and cyborg cattle exist freely.

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is executive produced by Anthony Silverston of the South African animation house Triggerfish, Tendayi Nyeke, and Peter Ramsey, the Oscar Award-Winning co-director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

“I think the inspiration [for Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire] was really an awareness of the creative energy that’s been exploding in animation in Africa for the past few years,” Ramsey says. “I was just blown away by the enthusiasm, energy and just the talent in that creative community.”

The short film anthology includes: 

• “Stardust” (Ahmed Teilab, Egypt)
• “Mkhuzi: The Spirit Racer” (Simangaliso “Panda” Sibaya and Malcolm Wopé, South Africa)
• “Hatima” (Terence Maluleke and Isaac Mogajane, South Africa)
• “Enkai” (Ng’endo Mukii, Kenya)
• “Moremi” (Shofela Coker, Nigeria)
• “Surf Sangoma” (Nthato Mokgata and Catherine Green, South Africa)
• “Mukudzei” (Pious Nyenyewa and Tafadzwa Hove, Zimbabwe)
• “First Totem Problems” (Tshepo Moche, South Africa),
• “Herderboy” (Raymond Malinga, Uganda)
• “You Give Me Heart” (Lesego Vorster, South Africa).