Blessing Amidu, the producer behind Nigeria’s inaugural feature-length animated film, Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters (LBMM), has teamed up with her daughter Emmanuella Amidu and Hollywood animator Robert Sledge to create a new animated series titled Secrets of the Multiverse.
Mrs. Amidu shared that this series, crafted by her daughter Emmanuella, explores the moral complexities of leadership in a futuristic setting and is planned for release in 2026.
Emmanuella, an acclaimed young writer, noted that “Secrets of the Multiverse” challenges the lengths leaders might go to protect their communities, prompting audiences to critically evaluate whether morally ambiguous actions can be justified or left unchecked when they benefit the greater good.
Targeting a preteen audience, the series consists of 13 episodes filled with sci-fi and comic adventures. It is a spinoff of Lady Buckit & the Motley Mopsters.
Discussing the choice to present the storyline in an anime style, Mrs. Amidu explained that anime strongly influences younger viewers, making them more receptive to engaging narratives. “As children grow up watching cartoons, they become connected to and inspired by the characters they encounter. Unfortunately, when I grew up, African stories were scarce, and I lacked relatable content from Nigeria, which highlighted the need to create such material,” she added.
When asked about her decision to let her daughter write the series instead of hiring a professional, Mrs. Amidu cited the high costs associated with established writers while developing a sequel for ‘Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters.’ She soon discovered her daughter’s talent and encouraged her to write six episodes, ultimately finding the quality of the first episode astonishing. This impressed Adebisi Adetayo, the director of both LBMM and the upcoming series.
The anime producer expressed her hope that the series will inspire teenagers and young adults, encouraging them to pursue their goals with determination and resilience and proving that they can achieve remarkable things.
Additionally, Mrs. Amidu emphasised that integrating Hollywood talent like Robert Sledge, alongside Nollywood contributors, is crucial for pushing the boundaries and enhancing the quality of Nigeria’s anime industry. “This script is powerful; having Robert Sledge on board has been vital. Collaborations like this allow us to gain immensely from each other, strengthening our work collectively. It’s been a valuable opportunity for mutual learning, sharing ideas, and creative synergy during pre-production.”
She expressed optimism that ‘Secrets of the Multiverse’ will reach a global audience, highlighting the importance of teamwork in achieving greater success.
