Kozo, a protector of the MFINDA, is central to the story’s narrative. He serves as a guardian to the MFINDA, the mysterious gateway connecting the human world, referred to as the World Above, and the spirit realm, the World Below. Kozo is depicted as wielding divine fire and possessing the ability to transform into a wild dog. The character’s design is influenced by the Kingdom of Kongo during the 15th-16th centuries.
The announcement was accompanied by two stunning images showcasing Kozo, one of which features the character in his wild dog form, embodying both strength and mysticism. The character’s journey and abilities are integral to the unfolding events of MFINDA.
Additionally, N LITE previously shared key art from the film titled “Odi Lost in the MFINDA,” illustrated by Shigeru Fujita, with background art by Kazuyuki Hashimoto. This visual highlights the striking blend of Afrocentric storytelling and anime aesthetics that defines the “AFRIME” genre, or “Afro-Anime.”
A Story of Adventure and Spirit
MFINDA tells the story of Odi, a young girl transported to the past, where she teams up with another girl named Nasambi. Together, they must navigate the dangers of the MFINDA, confronting evil spirits and seeking to reclaim the powerful Nkisi if Odi is to have any chance of returning home. This unique blend of adventure, folklore, and spirit-driven storytelling is set against a rich cultural backdrop.
Powerful Partnerships in Production
The film is a collaboration between N LITE and JuVee Productions, with Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, and Melanie Clark serving as executive producers. Tarō Maki of Genco, Inc. and Eric Beckman of GKIDS are also contributing to the project.
Masao Maruyama, known for his work on films like In This Corner of the World and Tokyo Godfathers, is producing MFINDA, with legendary director Gisaburō Sugii (Night on the Galactic Railroad, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie) at the helm. Arthell Isom, founder of D’Art Shtajio, is co-directing.
GKIDS, a major U.S. animation producer and distributor, is co-producing the film.
A Global Vision for Black and Indigenous Stories
Christiano Malik Terry, founder of N LITE, leads the project alongside Shin Koyamada (The Last Samurai) and Shigeru Igari (former CEO of Atlus). N LITE is producing MFINDA in Japan, with screenplay contributions from Donald H. Hewitt (Spirited Away) and Mika Abe (Forest of Piano). The story is credited to Terry and Patience Lekien, the creator of MFINDA.
The project also includes an exciting manga adaptation, with the first volume set to release in 2025. The manga, written by Terry and illustrated by Tom Lintern, will consist of three volumes. It will be produced in collaboration with D’Art Shtajio and Sakura Phoenix K.K. and will be available both in Japan and the U.S.
AFRIME: A New Era of Animation
N LITE is dedicated to showcasing black and indigenous stories through its AFRIME (Afro-Anime) brand, which focuses on hand-drawn 2D animation. The company plans to produce more AFRIME films and television series in the future, collaborating with global creators. N LITE Japan is also working on future projects based on anime and manga IP.
As N LITE continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and animation, the release of MFINDA promises to be a groundbreaking moment in both anime and global film industries.
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