Today YouTube Originals released the official trailer for Super Sema – voiced by Academy Award-winning actress and author, Lupita Nyong’o. The brand new animated series features a young superhero African girl named Sema and follows her world-changing adventures. Episodes 1 through 8 of this free-to-stream series are available Monday, March 8 at 8:00AM PST / 11AM EST and new episodes will roll-out between March and April only on the YouTube Originals for Kids & Family channel.
Fueled by STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), and set in an African-futuristic world, Sema, along with her brother MB, uses her “technovating” powers to save her village from the villainous Tobor and his army of mischievous Bongalala robots. A heartless artificially intelligent ruler, Tobor meets his match in Sema, who knows that with determination, creativity, and a helping hand from the amazing worlds of science and technology, anything is possible.
Super Sema was written by four-time BAFTA winner Claudia Lloyd (“Charlie & Lola,” “Mr. Bean,” “Tinga Tinga Tales”) and directed by Lynne Southerland, the first female African-American director for Disney (Mulan II). The series will be available on the Super Sema YouTube channel, which has had its WatchTime hours increase by more than 40% year-over-year in 2020 vs. 2019.
“We couldn’t be more proud of this series, it is the perfect addition to our diverse slate of content that supports kids learning and discovery of their unique strengths and passions,” said Nadine Zylstra, Head of Kids and Learning for YouTube Originals. “Coming from Africa and produced by an all-female team, Super Sema empowers young girls and boys around the globe who may see themselves in Sema, who is a smart, adventurous African girl. ”
Super Sema is created and produced by Nariobi-based children’s entertainment company, Kukua. Overseeing the project for YouTube are Zylstra, along with Daniel Haack on the kids development team. The series is part of YouTube Originals’ new slate of projects coming from the previously announced $100 million commitment to invest in the future of quality kids, family and educational programming.