Nigerian Animation Studio Lands Major Partnership With Japan’s Toei Animation

LAGOS, Nigeria — September 13, 2026 — Nigeria’s animation industry has received a major international boost after Lagos-based animation studio CR motion+ entered into a partnership with Japanese animation giant Toei Animation to co-produce a new animated short film.

The collaboration was announced following the TAIDO African Animation Challenge, a talent-development initiative organised by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) alongside its partners to connect African animation studios with Japanese industry professionals.

Under the programme, CR motion+ and Ghana’s Animax FYB Studios were selected to participate in a six-month development programme, where they worked with Japanese animation professionals while developing original short films.

The projects were subsequently screened in Tokyo on March 4, 2026, receiving positive feedback from industry reviewers.

Toei Animation backs Nigerian project

Following the programme, Toei Animation agreed to invest in and collaborate with CR motion+ on a new animated short.

Toei’s official announcement identifies the project as “The Storyteller: The Dawn of Legend”, marking a significant step in collaboration between Japan’s established animation industry and Nigeria’s growing creative sector.

CR motion+ was established in 2024 as the production arm of Comic Republic, an African entertainment company known for developing original African superhero intellectual property. The Lagos-based studio focuses on animation and visual storytelling built around African-created stories and characters.

A new chapter for African animation

The partnership represents more than a single animation project. It highlights growing international interest in African intellectual property and the potential for Nigerian creators to participate in global production and distribution networks.

JETRO described the initiative as part of efforts to develop new business models connecting Japanese and African companies, while continuing to support partnerships between creators and businesses from both regions.

For Nigeria’s rapidly developing animation industry, the Toei Animation partnership could provide a significant platform for local storytelling to reach wider international audiences.

Vibnexa Media will continue to follow the project and developments in Nigeria’s growing creative industry.

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