Nigerian animation gets boost

The Japan External Trade Organisation has announced a new Japan-Africa animation co-production following a talent-development programme that paired African animation studios with Japanese mentors.

The project emerged from the TAIDO African Animation Challenge, a six-month development initiative organised by JETRO in partnership with Arc & Beyond and other collaborators.

Two African studios— Animax FYB Studios of Ghana and Lagos-based CR motion+ of Nigeria— were selected through JETRO’s Africa Business Desk to receive mentorship from Japanese animation professionals while developing original short films of between five and 10 minutes.

The completed works were screened in Tokyo on March 4, 2026, and received positive feedback from industry reviewers.

Toei Animation, which served on the TAIDO Awards review panel, has subsequently agreed to invest in and collaborate with CR motion+ on the production of a new short film based on the Nigerian studio’s original title, Trials of the Spear.

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CR motion+ was founded in 2024 as the production arm of Comic Republic, an African entertainment company known for developing original African superhero intellectual property. The studio specialises in animation and visual storytelling based on African-created intellectual property and has secured licensing collaborations with international partners.

JETRO described the co-production as an example of the new business models it is seeking to promote between Japan and Africa.

 “Through initiatives such as the TAIDO Project, TICAD and Super Japan, JETRO has been exploring new models of business collaboration between Japan and Africa by leveraging the growing appeal of Japanese pop culture, including animation,” the organisation said in a statement.

It added that it would continue supporting partnerships connecting Japanese and African creators and companies through initiatives such as the Africa Soft Power Caravan “Super Japan” and other programmes aimed at promoting innovation and cross-border business opportunities.

Naomi Chima is an entertainment and lifestyle correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over three years of experience. She covers Nigerian entertainment, culture, and social events, conducts personality interviews, and contributes to features across desks. Her work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to engaging, accurate, and audience-focused journalism.

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