User:Kugali Media

= Kugali Media =

About Kugali
Kugali is an entertainment company designed to provide millions of fans with stories inspired by African culture. Using animation, art, virtual/augmented reality and deeply authentic storytelling, they showcase African stories and bring them to the whole world. These stories respect the history of Africa, embrace its present and imagine its future.

The Founders
Ziki Nelson is an award-nominated writer and entrepeneur with a burning passion for storytelling. His work ranges all the way from comics to films/TV and includes the hit comic, NANI. Hamid Ibrahim is a CG artist with years of experience working on Hollywood blockbusters, using his experience to lead African media to internationally-adjacent levels of quality. Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku is a leader in the Nigerian video game industry with years of experience as a project leader in various professional and artistic spaces.

Kugali comics
Kugali's comics celebrate African culture and tell stories of action, fantasy and mythology using bright and beautiful art.

Ndaw
Ndaw is a short comic book that encapsulates the spirit of African folktales, published on 8th January 2018. In the middle of a mystical Savannah, a little Djinne finds himself trapped in the lair of a dangerous witch. He’ll have to partner up with an unlikely ally to overcome her black magic. Suitable for even the youngest children, Ndaw is a story with heart, adventure, mythology and magic. Kids' fantasy at its best.

Razor-Man
Razor-Man is set in a world where science, the supernatural, and death are the keys to survival in a corrupt city. After his father’s mysterious death, Razor-Man, a red-suit wearing vigilante sets out to uncover the enigma surrounding his father and his investigation into the growing crime network of a fictional Zimbabwe. Half superhero tale, half crime drama, with a sprinkling of political mystery, Razor-Man takes equal inspiration from anime and manga as it does from Marvel's Iron Man comics. This comic was published on 8th January 2018.

Lake of Tears
Lake of Tears is a long-form comic book about the many children who are trafficked and forced to work in Ghana’s hazardous inland fishing industry. After being mysteriously saved by Aya and Amina, Kyei decides to join forces with them to bring an end to the network of child slavery Aya and himself had been part of. With themes of childhood trauma, hope and how anyone can make a difference; Lake of tears will be sure to captivate its readers with its social commentary and strong cast of characters who will stop at nothing to bring an end to the child labour in Lake Volta. Lake of Tears is in parts based on a true story and includes elements of fantasy so as to keep it suitable for children and young adults. This was published on 11th January 2018. The creator Kobe Ofei won Ghanaian Nommo Award for this graphic novel.

Characters*
Kyei bio

Aya bio

Amina bio

Ukpang
The son of the Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Tunji, is thrust into a world of chaos when he has his old life taken from him one fateful night. He finds new purpose in the way of the sword, and returns to Nigeria to seek justice for his family as a sword-swinging superhero in the style of DC's Batman. With influences from both comic books and manga, and deeply rooted in its African heritage, Ukpang is perfect for young adults. This was published on 11 January 2018

Oluwatuuka
Based on an Afharactrican folktale, Olwatuuka follows a young boy who ventures into the underworld to avenge his family’s death. With immense drama, action, and comedy unfolding as the story's hero battles demons and fights to survive, the story blends horror and fantasy to tell a truly captivating tale. Suitable for older young adults and anyone who likes their stories a little darker without losing the fast-paced, action packed storytelling of Shonen mangas. Published on 11th January 2018.

Monkey Meat
Described as “experimental and fun” by its creator Juni Ba, Monkey Meat - The Nutritious Collection is a collection of three short comics all based on the Monkey Meat universe. With elements of young adult horror blending in with comedy and whimsy, this might be the most unique (and best drawn) comic you've ever read. Its brainless, carnivorous hero battles evil and goes on adventures keeping the people of Ktu safe. Set against a backdrop of steampunk designs and dystopian worldbuilding, Monkey Meat imagines a fantasy dystopian Africa where Djinns have been kidnapping people and using them for their project to use liquified human souls. Published 11th Jan 2018. Juni Ba is a comic book artist, illustrator, writer and character designer from Senegal. He grew up between Senegal and France. His work are heavily influenced by Senegalese art and culture and they often incorporate elements of his life there. With a distinctive art style he has often been compared to Mike Mignola's.

Characters
Character bio

NANI
From Ziki Nelson, creator of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Iwaju, NANI is a mythical take on growing up in Nigeria. Two martial-arts-weilding sisters are kidnapped and whisked away into a land of African legends and must fight to survive their journey home. This story is set in Samma, which is inhabited by various creatures and beings that group themselves into different tribes. The tribes can be roughly divided into two groups, the Chosen who serve as the ruling class, and the Fallen who are thought of as lesser beings. Mina and Lamin, the main characters, are constantly confronted with very real manifestations of their heritage as they explore the world of Samma. One of the first people they meet there is Laye, a woman who is everything the girls want to be – smart, strong, independent, and powerful. As the sisters begin their journey alongside Laye, they also begin to develop a new relationship with their heritage – and, thus, themselves. This graphic novel contains themes of sisterhood, feminism, adventure and mental health. This was published on 6th January 2019. Ziki Nelson's works are heavily influenced by West African mythology and history.

Mina
Mina is the primary protagonist of Nani. She’s in her late teens and was born and raised in Nigeria. A couple of years before the start of the story, Mina was robbed at gunpoint by a group of armed thugs. Ever since then, she’s struggled to overcome this trauma. As a lifelong Martial artist, Mina had always thought of herself as invincible. After she was robbed, she was not only forced to consider her own vulnerability but is now confronted with the psychological scars of the incident on an almost daily basis. As the events of Nani unfold, she now finds herself facing an even bigger challenge: she is trapped in a strange world full of supernatural creatures, magical warriors and mythical beings. The primary motivation behind Mina’s character is whether she can overcome the trauma of her past in order to rise up to the challenges of the present.

Lamin
Lamin is Mina's younger sister. Like Mina, she is a lifelong martial artist, especially skilled in the striking arts. Both she and Mina are perfectly capable of defending themselves, and Lamin isn’t afraid to make this known. Although she's often brash and impulsive, Lamin is incredibly loyal and supportive - especially when it comes to her big sister. However, she also views Mina as her rival, and deep down she suppresses a complicated envy when it comes to her sister. As Mina grows over the course of the story, Lamin pursues her relentlessly, utterly determined not to be left behind.

Laye
Laye is a high-ranking warrior from the world of Samma. From a young age, Laye had been identified as a warrior with enormous potential and, as a result, she didn't have much of a childhood. Despite an incredibly intense upbringing, training her to be a fierce warrior, Laye is a naturally kind-hearted person with a very idealistic sense of morality. This eventually causes her to question the very society she was raised to protect.

Kore
Kore is the leader of the Kura clan, a motley group of werehyenas living in exile, and the antagonist of the story. Decades prior to the events of Volume 1, the Kuras had rebelled against the ruler of Samma and were consequently exiled to a barren wasteland known as Tsari. No longer willing to accept a life of poverty and strife, Kore incites a rebellion in the hopes of restoring his clan to their former glory.

Versus
A sci-fi fantasy epic with magical swords, a prophecy and a war that seeks to end life as we know it. Deeply humorous, but with a backdrop of deep intrigue, fans of Star Wars and comic books will love Versus' fresh, African take on the genres. Published on 6th January 2019.

Mill's City's Finest
Mill City's Finest is a fictional action and adventure drama comic about the life of a first-generation African-American Superhero, protecting his hometown from evil. This first volume is the prequel in the Mill City’s Finest series and centres around Togar, his pregnant wife Marie and their son Derik who are about to leave the civil-war ridden Liberia for a new life in the United States. As they prepare to leave, their village is attacked by Jango No Mercy and in the chaos, Derik is taken by the assailants. Now in order to save his son and protect his family Togar must become the masked Momolu he was always meant to be. With elements similar to Black Panther and its fresh take on the immigrant experience, MIll City’s Finest is suitable for all ages. Published on 8th January 2019. As a first generation Liberian-American, the creator Samuel Stevquoah wanted to use his personal experience to create a story rarely seen in media. With a background in animation and by growing up in a culturally heavy Liberian household he gives a new perspective on the superhero genre by personal cultural elements and experiences that first generation African-Americans can relate to.

Characters
Character bios

Oro
A prince is born disfigured and abandoned in the forest. Raised by mythological creatures in a high-fantasy setting, Oro knows not whether he is a God, or a mistake. With elements of horror, adventure, fantasy and action, this comic book is suited for older teens and young adults. Published on 15th July 2020.

Mumu Juju
Join Mortar and Pestle as they smash their way through thrilling adventures, on their quest to find magical items to repay their debt to the god Kenga. Half heroes, half demigods, filled with magical creatures from bean hungry zombies to Goliath sized ogres, kids of all ages will love these diverse stories, which combine action, fantasy, mythology and pan-Africanism into a single, very funny package. Published on 4th January 2021.

Zombie
Chudi is a corrupt, disillusioned policeman who had initially joined the Nigerian police force to make the country a better place. He is enlisted by Jagun, a powerful ritualist to find his niece who has been kidnapped. Chudi is in disbelief when Jagun hands over a badly beaten Ike, Chudi’s former school mate, accusing him the kidnap. When Ike wakes up, he explains he is being framed and that Jagun is chasing Hope to use her in his rituals. Now Chudi is confronted with the choice to either help Ike protect Hope from being sacraficed at the hand of the Ritualist or fulfilling his side of the bribe. This urban fantasy African comic is aimed at those who like their short stories a little darker; it explores themes of corruption, morality and doing the right thing. Published in January 2021.

Nani 2
From Ziki Nelson, creator of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Iwaju. Just as things seem to be under control after the battle with the Kuras that ended Volume 1, Mina isn’t ready to leave Samma just yet. While Mina begins training under Ria, the Northen Guardian, in preparation for the battles surely to come, Lamin asks Laye to train her too rather than just sit around. In the midst of their training the sister grow apart unaware of the approaching battle; a battle larger and more complicated than any of them could have imagined. Sibling rivalry, empowering female characters and African mythology meet in this captivating young adult graphic novel.

Trotro Trio
Whenever they step into the mysterious abandoned trotro they discovered near their home, the Trotro Trio are transported on an adventure through space and time that takes them across the African continent, experiencing key historical moments firsthand. They have a lot to learn, about their continent’s rich cultural diversity and about themselves, but it’s a good thing they have each other to keep them out of trouble! Filled with adventure, comedy and fantasy this first graphic novel takes the trio (and the readers) to explore Timbuktu’s famous university in the 15th century, the world-renowned rumba scene in 1960s Congo, and the Rizvo empire’s rebuttal of the Portuguese in 17th century Zimbabwe. This light-hearted educational fantasy adventure is perfect for kids of all ages.

Mutuwa
A monstrous being enlists the help of two orphans in order to find a deranged mad scientist, destroy her operation of human experimentation and to find his sworn enemies. This sci-fi, dark fantasy adventure comic is aimed at a more mature audience.

Murenga
Murenga is the first planet to be colonized by a private company, and this comes with its own trappings. When Tsitsi discovers that a long banned neuro-mapping technology that can manipulate the citizen’s neuronal circuitry is being developed and deployed against her community, she panics, but they refuse to do anything other than stand down. Their plan goes wrong when Chengetai, a child from the elite city, decides to run away and they are blamed for kidnapping. How will they survive when all the odds are stacked against them? This high-stakes dystopian sci-fi African comic imagines how a conspiracy can shape the entire structure of new planetary society and how a diverse, optimistic and fierce groupe can be a force for change. New and old fans of science fiction will be sure to be enticed by Mugavazi’s suspensful storytelling. With more mature themes, tis graphic novel is aimed at adult readers.

Lake of Tears 2
After re-gaining their freedom, Aya, Kyei and Anima are heading an intelligence network to help free the children that have been trafficked to work in Ghana’s inland fishing industry; meanwhile, they are on a journey to find Anima’s missing father. Their information leads them to a place the group is familiar with, and they begin to suspect that there is a connection between the disappearance of Anima’s policeman father and the people who had once enslaved them. This second volume weaves in fantasy, action and adventure in the panels of this espionage-style comic making the more serious themes of childhood trauma, trafficking and growing up tough accessible to young adults aged 14 and up.

Akanni
Akanni joins the ranks of an elite space militia known as the Onija, consisting of people from different planets. By joining she hopes to honor her father and to eventually serve her planet. She is struggling more than she had expected, and worries that she hasn’t got what it takes. Her life is disrupted as her home planet is attacked and nearly destroyed by an unkown enemy. Following these events Akanni is forced to reconsider her self-image from underdog in the Onija training squad to embracing the reality that she might just be the only person able to protect what is left of her home planet. Dealing with themes of loss and self-development this sci-fi adventure comic sees the making of the young woman Akanni has always know she could become, suitable for young adults.