Toei Animation Announces First Co-Production With Nigerian Studio

Toei Animation will co-produce an original anime with Nigerian animation studio CR motion+.

The project, titled "The Storyteller ~dawn of legend~ (tentative)", is a spin-off based on the Nigerian webtoon "Trials of the Spear" from Comic Republic. Toei Animation will handle pre-production and production management from Japan, while the main production work will be led by the staff at CR motion+ in Lagos.

The "TAIDO Project", an initiative run by Sony Group's Arc & Beyond and JETRO, introduced the studios.

CR motion+ is the video production division of Comic Republic, an entertainment company focused on developing original IP from Africa. The studio was established in 2024 and has experience in short 2D and 3DCG animation production.

The completed work, targeted for spring 2027, will be approximately 20 minutes long. The producers plan to submit it to film festivals worldwide.

The story follows Akaribele, a spirit who revives in modern-day Lagos, Nigeria. Attempting to tell the tale of the legendary hero Dajo Darau as a storyteller, he finds no one willing to listen in the bustling metropolis.

Producers are Takashi Washio (Toei Animation) and Jide Martin (CR motion+). The script is by Ichiro Takano, with production management by Emi Okawa.

Source: PR Times via 東映アニメーション株式会社