On Thursday, Netflix premiered its inaugural original African animated series, marking a significant milestone for the continent's animation industry. The creator of the series expressed her aspirations that this debut would open doors for more homegrown productions to flourish on the global stage. Launching this animated series on the streaming platform represents a promising step forward in showcasing African talent and storytelling to a wider audience, fostering further opportunities for African creators and animators in the entertainment world.
"Supa Team 4" unfolds in a futuristic rendition of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, where the narrative follows the journey of four teenage girls. Their lives take an extraordinary turn when a retired secret agent approaches them, inviting them to become undercover superheroes. Embracing their newfound roles, the girls embark on a thrilling mission to save the world, paving the way for thrilling adventures and action-packed escapades. The series promises to captivate audiences with its unique blend of futuristic elements and empowering female protagonists.
"I'm excited that the world finally gets to see the fantastic show that the incredibly talented super team, from Africa and beyond, have put together," Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema told AFP in a statement.
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"We hope 'Supa Team 4'… will lead to further investment and collaboration so we can continue to grow the industry."
Mulendema brought the series to life through her creative vision after successfully pitching it at a pan-African talent search conducted by the esteemed animation studio Triggerfish. Her exceptional concept and storytelling prowess earned her recognition as one of the winners in 2015. This victory provided her with the opportunity to develop and transform her idea into the groundbreaking animated series, "Supa Team 4," which now graces screens worldwide on Netflix. The success story showcases the power of nurturing African talent and highlights the importance of platforms like Triggerfish in fostering the growth of African animation and storytelling on a global scale.
When the show was first announced in 2019, Mulendema said she set the story in her home country to "illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero".
"(Animation) series shaped our childhoods and to know young Zambians get to see what they've never seen on TV before is Amazing!!" Zambian singer Sampa the Great, who worked on the theme song, wrote on Instagram this month.
Netflix has recently made a significant commitment on diversifying its production outside of the United States, scoring with programs like Spanish blockbuster
"Money Heist" and South Korean dystopian drama "Squid Game ".
In April, the firm said it planned to expand operations in Africa and give "more African storytellers an amplified voice on the global stage".
