Watch the trailer for the all-new animated series, launching today, that follows 7-year-old Kiya, an African girl whose passions are dancing and martial arts - who, along with her best friends, form a team of superheroes that stand ready to unite their community.
Disney Junior and Hasbro’s entertainment studio, eOne, have shared a trailer and images for the new animated kid’s TV series Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes, based on an original concept by Robert Vargas and adapted from characters created by South African Marc Dey and Kelly Dillon. The show follows Kiya, a seven-year-old African girl whose passions are dancing and martial arts, which also become her superpowers. The series premieres today in the U.S. on Disney Junior and Disney+.
In the show, when Kiya and her two best friends, Jay and Motsie, put on their headbands adorned with mystical Kimoja crystals, they transform into superheroes and perform special moves inspired by their passions, like Kiya’s “pirouette POW.” Together they are the team of superheroes known as the Kimoja Heroes, and they stand (or dance!) ready to unite their community!
Kiya’s world features a diverse cast of characters inspired by the landscape, beauty, and culture of Southern Africa and focuses on themes of community, empathy, and unity. It is a mashup of action, dance, and music with African and Asian-lead characters, Southern African locations, and a diverse creative team, including writers, designers, and composers from across the globe.
The Three Kimojans, known as “Flawed Friends,” cause mischief and chaos and are motivated by classic preschooler foibles like jealousy, competitiveness, and envy. When these kids make a mess, only the Kimoja Heroes can shine bright and make things right to restore harmony to the city, combining everyday preschool experiences with superhero awesomeness.
“In partnership with Disney Junior, Frog Box, Triggerfish, and France Télévisions, we are so very delighted to bring Kiya & The Kimoja Heroes to audiences everywhere,” said Esra Cafer, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Management at eOne Hasbro. “We have given a lot of thought and intention to developing fundamentally relatable characters that serve as great role models for young children. Kiya shows that you don’t have to choose between learning to dance or being a kick-butt hero - you can be both! She’s encouraging preschoolers to be whoever they want to be and shine.”
“Our belief is that Kiya will represent and empower young girls to be leaders who can use their smarts and skills to solve big problems,” added Tshepo Moche, writer, and creative consultant at Triggerfish. “There is still a tremendous opportunity for representation, and there has never been a better moment for the landscape of children’s programming to reflect the diversity and size of the audience they serve.”
Watch the trailer:
Source: eOne
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
