N LITE, a pioneering multimedia company and anime studio, has announced that actor and musician Jaden Smith will voice the character Kozo in their upcoming “Afro-Anime” film, MFINDA. Beyond his voice role, Smith is also set to serve as an executive producer for the project and will contribute music to the film’s soundtrack. This casting marks a significant step for the burgeoning “Afro-Anime” movement, which seeks to merge rich African storytelling with Japanese animation techniques.
The Genesis of ‘MFINDA’: A Blend of Cultures
MFINDA is described as an “AFRIME” or “afro-anime” film, a term trademarked by N LITE to define its unique blend of Japanese anime artistry and narratives rooted in African and African diaspora experiences. The film’s concept was created by Congolese-American artist Patience Lekien and N LITE founder Christiano Malik Terry. It promises a captivating journey into Congolese folklore and spirituality.
The narrative centers on Odi, a 13-year-old Congolese girl who is mysteriously transported into a primordial forest known as the MFINDA. This mystical realm is teeming with spirits, ancient gods, and ancestral forces. There, Odi encounters Nasambi, another young girl from a different era. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to locate a powerful Nkisi, sacred vessels believed to house ancestral spirits and empowering energies, in the hopes that finding it will allow Odi to return home.
A Powerhouse Production Team
The development of MFINDA is backed by a formidable assembly of industry veterans and renowned production companies, signaling a serious commitment to this cross-cultural animated feature. N LITE, led by Christiano Terry, aims to bring “untapped and authentic stories from black and indigenous creators” to a global audience. The company operates with multinational production pipelines, including subsidiaries like N LITE Japan in Tokyo and N LITE Africa in Lagos, Nigeria, and is actively establishing an animation studio in Tokyo.
Esteemed Collaborators
Among the key partners in the MFINDA production are:
- JuVee Productions: The company founded by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon is partnering with N LITE to produce a slate of Afro-anime films, with MFINDA as their inaugural project. Both Davis and Tennon, alongside JuVee’s Head of Film Melanie Clark, are on board as executive producers.
- GKIDS: The acclaimed U.S. animation producer and distributor, known for bringing many international animated features to North American audiences, is a co-production partner. GKIDS founder and CEO Eric Beckman also serves as an executive producer.
- Masao Maruyama: A legendary figure in Japanese animation, Maruyama, who founded both Madhouse and MAPPA studios and produced works like In This Corner of the World and Tokyo Godfathers, is producing MFINDA. His involvement underscores the project’s artistic ambition and commitment to high-quality animation.
- Gisaburō Sugii: Directing the film is Gisaburō Sugii, recognized for his work on classics such as Touch and Night on the Galactic Railroad.
- Arthell Isom: Co-directing the film is Arthell Isom, co-founder of D’Art Shtajio, notably Japan’s first Black-founded anime studio. D’Art Shtajio is also a production partner, further cementing the film’s cross-cultural production ethos.
Screenwriting and Companion Documentary
The screenplay for MFINDA is a collaborative effort, written by Donald H. Hewitt, known for his English adaptation of Spirited Away; Mika Abe of Forest of Piano; and the film’s creators, Patience Lekien and Christiano Terry.
In an exciting expansion of the MFINDA universe, NBA star Joel Embiid and his Miniature Géant production company have joined as executive producers. They are also co-producing a companion documentary titled MFINDA: Spirits of the Congo. This documentary aims to provide an exclusive look into the film’s production process while simultaneously highlighting the vibrant culture, rich folklore, and diverse people of the Congo.
Jaden Smith’s Role and the Future of Afro-Anime
Jaden Smith’s involvement as Kozo, an executive producer, and a musical contributor brings significant attention to MFINDA and the broader Afro-Anime movement. Smith has a history in voice acting, including a role in the Netflix anime series Neo Yokio. His decision to join this project aligns with his past statements about seeking roles that feel “necessary” and align with his artistic and social interests.
Beyond the animated feature, N LITE plans to extend the MFINDA narrative into publishing. The first volume of MFINDA: The Manga adaptation is slated for release in 2025. This three-volume manga series will be written by Christiano Terry, with art direction by Patience Lekien and illustrations by visual artist Tom Lintern. The manga will be a collaboration with a Japanese manga planning and inking team from D’Art Shtajio and Sakura Phoenix K.K., available in both Japan and the U.S.
The casting of Jaden Smith in MFINDA underscores a growing global appetite for diverse narratives and marks a pivotal moment for the “Afro-Anime” genre, promising to deliver a unique and culturally rich animated experience to audiences worldwide.