TVKIDS
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes, a brand-new series from Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne), is slated to premiere in the U.S. on Disney Junior and Disney+ on March 22.
Based on an original concept from Robert Vargas and featuring characters created by South Africans Marc Dey and Kelly Dillon, the preschool series follows Kiya, a 7-year-old African girl, whose passions are martial arts and dancing. When she and her friends put on headbands adorned with crystals, they transform into superheroes.
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes feature African and Asian lead characters, and the world is inspired by the landscape and culture of Southern Africa. It focuses on themes of community, empathy and unity.
“In partnership with Disney Junior, Frog Box, Triggerfish and France Télévisions, we are so very delighted to bring Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes to audiences everywhere,” said Esra Cafer, senior VP of global brand management at eOne. “We have given a lot of thought and intention to developing fundamentally relatable characters that serve as great role models for young children. Kiya shows that you don’t have to choose between learning to dance or being a kick-butt hero—you can be both! She’s encouraging preschoolers to be whoever they want to be and shine.”
“Our belief is that Kiya will represent and empower young girls to be leaders who can use their smarts and skills to solve big problems,” added Tshepo Moche, writer and creative consultant at Triggerfish. “There is still a tremendous opportunity for representation, and there has never been a better moment for the landscape of children’s programming to reflect the diversity and size of the audience they serve.”
