Animation in Nigeria still has a long way to go, but it’s great to finally see creators and studios creating content for the Nigerian audience. While the industry is relatively small, it’s doing a fantastic job in creating new worlds in a style that appeals to the Nigerian aesthetic. Here are seven cartoons you didn’t know were created by Nigerians.
1.Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters
Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters Is a film about a selfish little girl, Bukky, that makes a wish which goes haywire and finds herself turned into a bucket far away from home, on an adventure of a lifetime. This film has all the feels and is a fun watch for kids and adults alike. The best part was seeing a Nigerian scenery and Nigerian kids dancing to Nigerian songs.. Even though the accents sound like something from Wakanda, Lady Buckit and the Mothey Mopsters is a fresh breath of air.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/wgSuS3FAVhE
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2. Hero Corps
Spoof Animation, one of Nigeria’s leading 2D animation studios, created this animated short film.. Hero Corps features recurring characters from their older animation, StrikeGuard, and is a short animation about superheroes in Nigeria fighting villains that are not politicians which is refreshing and I’m here for it. Spoof Animation also has short comedies like Area Daddy and has recently released a teaser for their new animated feature film, AJAKA.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/2SO-UY8X34c
3. Aje and Kpako
This was one of the most popular Nigerian made cartoons in 2012. It follows the lives of two hilarious characters Aje and Kpako. They were funny and every Nigerian kid could definitely relate to their struggles.
Watch here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0B_9ZleSNwTWvTe12o-Kax-FvKzqSzvp
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4. A Place to Play
A Place to Play Is an animated short film about four boys playing football and disturbing the peace of the neighbourhood, like you’d see on any inner-city street in Nigeria. It features some characters from magic carpet studio’s earlier work, Meet the Igwes. There’s no dialogue in A Place to Play, but it doesn’t stop the story from hitting home. As a child growing up in Nigeria, you get used to being disappointed, from nepa not bringing light after school, to older kids stealing your football. A Place to Play captured the “Nigerian child”essence
Watch here: https://youtu.be/Ndc7Zu7yAMU
5.. Malika, Warrior Queen
Malika, Warrior Queen follows the story of a military commander queen, Malika. She unties her kingdom after her father’s death and goes the extra mile to protect it from enemies, including dragons. . A fantasy animation with a Nigerian woman as the main character? Inject it.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/4dBVuTbjy6
6. Freak the Fxxk Out
Freak the Fxxk Out is a horror animated series of skits created by Kanso Ogbolu, I just want to say that watching animated horror films about what could easily be your reality does a number on you. If you like horror and gore, this is the one for you.
Watch here: https://instagram.com/freakthefxxkout?utm_medium=copy_link
7. Garbage Boy and Trash Can Theme
Garbage Boy and Trash Can Theme won the first Cartoon Network Africa Creative Lab Competition. Garbage Boy and Trash Can Theme was created by Ridwan Moshood, an illustrator and animator who heads ToonUp Animation studio. While the style and characters in GBaTCT are very Nigerian, it’s giving early 2000s cartoon network shorts. As a 90’s baby, this cartoon is top tier because it takes me back to simpler times.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/4dBVuTbjy6I
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