(Image credit: Marvel)
The Annecy Animation Festival recently welcomed an exciting addition to the world of Black Panther with the premiere of the first episode of Eyes of Wakanda, the animated Marvel series set to debut later this year. This eagerly anticipated show, categorized as an “anthology adjacent” series, will take viewers on a journey spanning thousands of years of Wakanda’s rich history. It will even introduce a legendary hero not seen since appearing on Netflix.
Director Todd Harris had the honor of introducing the inaugural episode titled “Into the Lion’s Den” on stage. During a Q&A session, Harris revealed that the episode explores events dating back to 1260 B.C. It follows a former Dora Milaje and Wakandan secret agent, Noni (voiced by Winnie Harlow), on her mission to apprehend a defector known as Lion (played by Cress Williams). Utilizing stolen Wakandan technology, Lion has turned pirate and established his own kingdom. His actions are unbeknownst to him but will have rippling effects, altering Wakanda’s destiny. This pivotal storyline assures the audience that Eyes of Wakanda will forge a deeper connection to the MCU than any previous animated series.
Consisting of four episodes, the series will delve into the journeys of various artefacts originating from Wakanda, exploring their impact and the stories of those who come into possession of them. Among the intriguing revelations from Harris is the hint of an appearance by Iron Fist, though not the one viewers might anticipate.
The themes that resonated in the first Black Panther film, such as the nation’s longstanding apprehension toward revealing itself to the world, will also be explored. “Stillness is a difficult thing, and Wakanda by definition has remained the same. Staying still against the current takes energy – so what are they willing to do to remain that way, to not over-expand?” Harris pondered, adding layers to the narrative intrigue.
As we eagerly await the arrival of Eyes of Wakanda, you can explore a list of every other upcoming MCU show and movie. Stay tuned for more updates and insights!