The anime and manga world is buzzing with excitement as N LITE, a forward-thinking multimedia company, announces a groundbreaking partnership with publishing giant Kodansha. This collaboration is set to bring the highly anticipated "MFINDA" AFRIME (afro-anime) project to a global audience, starting with a serialized manga adaptation that promises to be a captivating prequel to the upcoming film. Fans can mark their calendars for 2026, when this epic journey begins in Kodansha's Biblio Sirius Magazine, marking the initial phase of MFINDA's ambitious global rollout.
MFINDA AFRIME Manga Takes Center Stage
The serialized MFINDA manga, a prequel to the feature film, will delve deep into the origin stories of its dual protagonists, Nasambi and Odi. This narrative expansion is set to provide rich background and character development, setting the stage for the larger MFINDA universe. The creative vision for this pivotal manga adaptation will be carefully nurtured through co-supervision by both N LITE and Kodansha, ensuring a high-quality product that resonates with both existing and new fans.
Prior to this serialization announcement, N LITE revealed plans to release the first volume of the MFINDA manga adaptation in 2025. This three-volume series boasts a stellar creative team. Christiano Terry, founder of N LITE, is helming the writing, while MFINDA creator Patience Lekien provides artistic direction. Visual artist Tom Lintern will bring the world to life through his illustrations. Adding to the international collaboration, the manga will be produced with the invaluable support of a Japanese manga planning and inking team from D'Art Shtajio and Sakura Phoenix K.K. This joint effort ensures the manga will be available to readers in both Japan and the U.S., making it a truly global endeavor from the outset.
Unveiling the MFINDA Story
The heart of the MFINDA narrative centers on a young girl named Odi. Her journey begins when she is mysteriously transported into the past. There, she encounters another young girl, Nasambi, and together they embark on a perilous adventure into the enigmatic MFINDA. Their quest is crucial: they must confront malevolent evil spirits and reclaim the powerful Nkisi, a vital artifact. Only by succeeding in this daunting task does Odi hold any hope of finding her way back home. This tale weaves together elements of mystery, adventure, and the supernatural, promising a truly immersive experience.
A Star-Studded AFRIME Film Production
The MFINDA project extends beyond manga, with a feature film in active development, garnering significant attention due to its impressive roster of talent. JuVee Productions, founded by the acclaimed Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, is partnering with N LITE for the MFINDA film. Davis and Tennon themselves are serving as executive producers, alongside JuVee's head of film Melanie Clark, Tarō Maki of Genco, Inc., and Eric Beckman of GKIDS.
The production boasts legendary figures in the animation industry. Masao Maruyama from MAPPA, known for his work on "In This Corner of the World" and "Tokyo Godfathers," is producing the film. Directing duties are in the capable hands of Gisaburō Sugii, a veteran director behind classics like "Night on the Galactic Railroad" and "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie," with Arthell Isom of D'Art Shtajio co-directing. U.S. animation producer and distributor GKIDS further solidifies the film's international appeal as a coproduction partner. The screenplay is being crafted by a team including Donald H. Hewitt ("Spirited Away" English screenplay), Mika Abe ("Forest of Piano"), and MFINDA creator Patience Lekien, with Lekien and N LITE founder Christiano Malik Terry credited for the original story.
N LITE's Vision: AFRIME and Beyond
N LITE's mission is clear and impactful: to champion black and indigenous stories by collaborating with global creators. The company's flagship concept, AFRIME, or afro-anime, represents its commitment to hand-drawn 2D animation that celebrates diverse narratives. MFINDA stands as a testament to this vision. N LITE plans to develop a robust slate of AFRIME films and television series, further expanding this unique genre.
Leading N LITE Japan are Christiano Malik Terry, joined by Shin Koyamada ("The Last Samurai," "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior") and Shigeru Igari (former CEO of Atlus), underscoring the company's deep roots and strategic presence in Japan's animation landscape. N LITE is actively producing MFINDA in Japan, leveraging the country's unparalleled animation expertise. Beyond MFINDA, N LITE Japan is also working on upcoming projects based on various anime and manga IP, and their studio is also producing the "Chiure: Child of the Sea" film, signaling a bright and expansive future for the company and the AFRIME movement.
The collaboration between N LITE and Kodansha for the MFINDA AFRIME manga and its subsequent film rollout marks a pivotal moment for global animation. With a captivating story, a powerhouse creative team, and a mission to tell diverse stories, MFINDA is poised to become a significant cultural phenomenon.
