In a big win for the South African media industry, Triggerfish is excited to bring the adventures of a new African superhero, Kiya, to children round the world. Kiya is the heroine in the animated action-adventure series called Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes –a show about a trio of friends that combine their everyday passions with extraordinary powers and teamwork. The series takes place in the fictional Kimoja City, a city inspired by the sights and sounds of southern Africa.
Hasbro has announced April 2023 as the international launch date for this new kids’ TV series, developed and co-produced by South African animation studio, Triggerfish. The show will be streamed on Disney Junior and Disney+ and broadcast on France Télévisions, amongst other channels, and released in South Africa later this year.
Grounded in recognisable elements of African styles, Kiya proudly mashes up her passions of dance and martial arts into unique routines, while having fun with her family and friends, as most kids do. An original concept by Robert Vargas, adapted from characters created by South Africans Marc Dey and Kelly Dillon, this action-adventure animated series follows Kiya, a seven-year-old African girl who was inspired by the antics of Dey’s daughter who played dress-up as a ninja-princess but also saves the world, and, through Kiya, the team has wonderfully captured this duality in a heroine who boldly shines bright and makes things right with her two friends.
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes is the product of Triggerfish’s vision of bringing African stories, voices, and creativity to the global market and taking African animation excellence to the world.
The visual style of the series was originally developed by South African artists inspired by the vibrant and culturally diverse Bo-kaap neighbourhood of Cape Town. The look was further developed by Cape Town studio, Tulips and Chimneys and Frog Box in development and production in France. Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes is a show celebrating confidence, diversity and community. It prides itself in deviating from showing girls only as princesses, offering an opportunity to represent and empower young girls.
