From the Pen of ‘Iyanu’, Africa’s Top Kids’ Show, Arrives ‘Malika: Warrior Queen’
– Showrunner Roye Okupe, famed for ‘Iyanu’, the #1 kids show in Africa on Showmax, is back with a new animated feature film ‘Malika: Warrior Queen’.
– This Afro-Anime universe expands with ‘Malika: Warrior Queen’, transposing much of its magic from a successful graphic novel.
– Okupe’s collaboration on his new venture is with The Co-Production, promising an intriguing blend.
– The story finds its roots in Okupe’s Dark Horse graphic novel which has swept several awards.
New Heights for Afro-Anime, Soaring with the ‘Warrior Queen’
Alright folks, grab your pens, papers, and popcorn, because all you animation-obsessed fans are in for a big surprise. Hot off the success of his continental blockbuster ‘Iyanu’, Roye Okupe is back at the drawing (and writing!) boards once again stirring up a potent brew of African aesthetics and animated action with ‘Malika: Warrior Queen’.
This isn’t just another anime feature. This is a high-octane, Afro-futuristic flurry of frames, fuelled by the winning pedigree of Okupe’s award-winning Dark Horse graphic novel. With The Co-Production on board, this ship has a clear direction and the wind in its sails.
Look, if this isn’t enough to get you excited, then I don’t know what will. But, as I always say, when it comes to animation, the proof will be in the drawing…uh, I mean pudding! So, let’s get those glasses ready, folks, because The Warrior Queen is coming!
Hot Take
In the animation world where samurais and superheroes often dominate, it’s refreshing to see an Afro-Anime fusion stepping boldly onto the scene. The success of ‘Iyanu’ was no small feat, so we’re tipping our hats (and our popcorn buckets) to Okupe’s bravery to enter the field with yet another exciting project. We hope the ‘Warrior Queen’ will reign supreme in the Afro-anime world. And remember, where there’s a ‘warrior queen,’ there’s bound to be an epic battle. So, keep your eyes peeled, because it’s about to get animated in Africa!
Riding upon the remarkable success of Iyanu — a top kids show in Africa on Showmax — Roye Okupe, the creator and showrunner, unveils his plans on broadening his Afro-Anime world with his next ambitious project: MALIKA: WARRIOR QUEEN. This anime-style feature film is drawn from Okupe’s award-winning Dark Horse graphic novel and is being developed in partnership with The Co-Production Company.
In the vibrant backdrop of a 15th-century West African kingdom, Malika: Warrior Queen traces an epic saga of might, lineage, and destiny. It’s a heroic tale of a young queen’s journey from tragedy to becoming a legend as she brings a fragmented land together under her reign. By skillfully marrying the emotive precision of anime with the heartbeat and pace of African storytelling, the film showcases stunning action scenes, political machinations, and a unique visual design inspired by the energy of Afrobeats.
Through this endeavor, Okupe continues to contribute to the burgeoning global Afro-Anime genre, revolutionizing the narrative structure of African tales on the international platform.
The production team for Malika: Warrior Queen includes Doug Schwalbe (The Co-Production Company) and Randy Dormans, a recipient of multiple Emmy Awards (Kung Fu Panda, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous). The project consolidates a mix of global talents. Adesua Etomi-Wellington, the award-winning Nigerian actress (The Wedding Party), lends her voice to Malika and holds the role of Executive Producer, collaborating with Erica Motley from Impact X Studios and Roye Okupe through YouNeek Studios.
“Malika: Warrior Queen transcends beyond a simple film. It is a commitment to prove that African narratives hold their own amongst the iconic franchises of the world. Malika’s journey reflects the creative battle many of us engage in: balancing strength with empathy, constructing something enduring while acknowledging our historical burdens. I want audiences worldwide to experience the essence of Africa in every scene and comprehend the universal nature of these narratives as they are not merely African stories. They represent human stories.” Okupe, who is poised to script and direct, affirmed.
The character Malika is an integral part of the acclaimed YouNeek YouNiverse, a collection of African-inspired fantasy graphic novels grounded in history and mythology, published and distributed by Dark Horse Comics. In 2021, following five successful years of self-publishing, Roye Okupe inked a significant 20-book contract with Dark Horse. Since 2016, over 100,000 copies of Malika comics and graphic novels have been sold globally.
Currently under development, Okupe now takes charge of drafting the screenplay, and pre-production will kick-off shortly.
Roye’s Youneek YouNiverse brims with fascinating characters and engrossing narratives, garnering worldwide resonance. With the international success of Iyanu and the immense fan base support for the Malika graphic novels and short film, Malika, Warrior Queen looks set to be a phenomenal hit. The collaboration with Randy Dormans enables us to introduce TV economics to feature film production and elevate Roye’s distinct storytelling through high-quality traditional 2D animation.
Doug Schwalbe, Founder and President of The Co-Production Company
Malika: Warrior Queen is more than just another animated film for Roye Okupe, it’s a megaphone for a cause. Building on the traction from Iyanu, Malika harnesses and drives forward the momentum of Afro Anime — a daring cinematic genre that flawlessly blends the emotional depth and visual vigor of anime with African storytelling’s soul.
Malika embodies a rarely depicted type of hero — a woman who leads, battles, and loves with unflinching power. Her story pays tribute to African history, while her struggle to find her voice and shape her destiny is universally relatable.
Erica Motley of Impact X Studios
By centering an African heroine within a globally relatable, emotionally resonant narrative, the feature film reinvents the potential of international animated movies, which are not mere replicas of Western or Eastern styles, but dynamic, original creations, conceived from Africa’s flourishing creative influence.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/from-the-creator-of-iyanu-the-1-kids-show-on-showmax-in-africa-comes-malika-warrior-queen/