Fresh off the success of Iyanu: Child of Wonder, Nigerian filmmaker and storyteller Roye Okupe is back with another ambitious project a new animated feature titled Malika: Warrior Queen.
The film, now in development, is set in a fictional 15th-century West African empire and follows the story of Malika, a young queen who rises from personal tragedy to unite a divided kingdom.
It’s described as an epic mix of power, destiny, and courage blending the visual intensity of anime with the heart and rhythm of African storytelling.
An African Royal Tale of Power, Heritage, and Strength
At its core, Malika: Warrior Queen is about leadership, legacy, and the battle between duty and compassion.
As Malika fights to bring peace to her empire, her journey becomes both personal and political mirroring the challenges of real-life leaders who must balance strength with empathy.
Okupe, who will write and direct the film, says he wants the world to “feel Africa in every frame.”
The movie, he explains, is not just about one woman’s fight for her kingdom but a global story about resilience and identity.
“Malika: Warrior Queen” is more than a film, it’s a mission to show that African stories can stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest franchises on the planet,” said Okupe.
Africa’s Star-Studded Creative Masterpiece
Leading the voice cast is award-winning Nigerian actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington (The Wedding Party), who will also serve as an Executive Producer on the project.
She’s joined by Erica Motley from Impact X Studios, Doug Schwalbe from The Co-Production Company, and Okupe himself through his YouNeek Studios banner.
The feature will be co-produced by Schwalbe and multiple Emmy Award-winner Randy Dormans, known for animated hits like Kung Fu Panda and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.
According to Schwalbe, the goal is to combine top-tier animation with the efficiency of modern production models delivering a stunning visual experience without compromising on storytelling.
“Roye’s universe of epic African characters is resonating globally,” Schwalbe said. “With the success of Iyanu and the fan love for Malika, this film has everything it takes to be a breakout hit.”
From Comic Books to the Big Screen
Before becoming an animated film, Malika: Warrior Queen started as a graphic novel created by Okupe under his entertainment company YouNeek Studios.
The story was first self-published and later picked up by Dark Horse Comics after Okupe signed a 20-book deal in 2021.
Since then, over 100,000 copies of Malika comics and graphic novels have been sold worldwide. The creator even tested the waters with a short animated pilot in 2019, which set the stage for this upcoming full-length feature.
An African Heroine with a Global Voice
Executive Producer Erica Motley describes Malika as “the kind of hero we rarely see a woman who leads, fights, and loves with equal power.”
While the story celebrates African culture and history, its themes of leadership, struggle, and destiny are universal.
Okupe’s long-term vision is to build a shared “Afro-Anime Universe,” connecting characters like Iyanu and Malika through animation inspired by African mythology and aesthetics, a world he calls the YouNeek YouNiverse.
A Legacy in the Making
Iyanu: Child of Wonder, Okupe’s first major animated series, premiered in the U.S. on HBO Max and Cartoon Network, where it became the #1 kids’ series on Cartoon Network and a Top 10 title on HBO Max.
It later launched on Showmax across 44 African countries, topping charts in the Kids & Family category.
Now, with Malika: Warrior Queen in the works, Okupe continues to prove that African animation is not just rising, it’s thriving.
“I want audiences to see that these are not just African stories,” Okupe said. “They’re human stories powerful, emotional, and deeply connected to who we are.”
As production gears up, Malika: Warrior Queen is shaping up to be a milestone not only for Nigerian animation but for global storytelling.
Stay tuned for updates on the film’s release and behind-the-scenes developments from YouNeek Studios and Impact X Studios.