Otaku Saver had the honor of conducting an exclusive and comprehensive interview with the team responsible for MFINDA , the highly anticipated animated film that combines the best of Japanese tradition with the strength and spirituality of African culture.
Created by Patience Lekien and Christiano Terry , the project is being developed with the participation of legendary names in the industry, such as Masao Maruyama ( Metropolis , Paprika ), the production company JuVee Productions (of Viola Davis and Julius Tennon ), GKIDS , and the studio D'ART Shtajio , founded by Arthell Isom .
With the goal of authentically representing the Kingdom of Kongo, MFINDA stands out as one of the most ambitious projects in recent animation history—a true link between African ancestry and Japanese art.
Project Introduction
Otaku Saver: How did the idea for Mfinda ? What were the main inspirations for the film?
Patience Lekien (Creator):
The idea for MFINDA arose from the union of two things. First, from a personal journey of rediscovering the culture of my ancestors. This experience was profoundly spiritual and led me to create digital illustrations as a way to process my thoughts and emotions. This gave rise to a short series called Spirited to Africa , inspired by one of my greatest artistic influences, Hayao Miyazaki . From these illustrations, the story began to emerge naturally—with characters, plot, and its own universe.
Christiano Terry (Co-creator, Producer and Writer):
When I discovered Patience's work, I was impressed by its originality and authentic representation of Congolese folklore and spirituality. Despite being a culturally specific story, I realized it had universal appeal. Patience already had an audience that valued his work, so when he decided to trust me and N LITE, we began developing a timeless narrative capable of touching people worldwide. After the main script was completed, we brought in award-winning producers like GKIDS , JuVee Productions , and the legendary Masao Maruyama to bring the project to life.
The Meaning of MFINDA
Otaku Saver: What Mfinda represent to you as creators?
Patience Lekien (Creator):
MFINDA means “forest”—it’s the heart of the story. It represents the ever-changing world, rooted in culture and community. Mfinda connects our characters and teaches them lessons about themselves, about others, and about the world. It’s also a representation of the connection between us and our ancestors, our relationship with nature, and our role within it.
Christiano Terry (Co-creator, Producer and Screenwriter):
For me, MFINDA , artistically, represents a new era in anime storytelling. Before, we used the term "afrime" or "afro-anime," but today we realize that Mfinda is simply anime—it doesn't need additional labels. We've created a cultural bridge between Africa and Japan, and we can't wait to see the endless possibilities that this creative union will generate.
Team and Production
Otaku Saver: Mfinda features some big names in the industry. What was it like putting together such a talented team?
Christiano Terry:
What excites me most is collaborating with talented artists. When you put people in a room with the same goal—to create something spectacular—there's a palpable energy.
Of course, there are challenges: Hollywood isn't a place that welcomes you with open arms, and there's a lot of red tape and bureaucracy. Furthermore, there are differences between the production processes in Japan and the United States, so a lot of communication is necessary. Even so, we manage to unite open-minded and creative people through art, storytelling, and a clear mission. Our success so far is due to our willingness to collaborate.
Otaku Saver: What sets Mfinda from other animations in terms of production?
Christiano Terry:
MFINDA is a true international co-production, uniting traditional Japanese animation techniques with a new approach that prioritizes culture and authenticity. There has never been a film like Mfinda — nor a team like ours to tell a story of this kind. Our goal is to do magnificent work and make the audience proud.
History and Characters
Otaku Saver: Odi and Nasambi are deeply developed protagonists. What was the process like for creating these characters?
Patience Lekien:
Odi and Nasambi are uniquely connected. Nasambi came first—she represents African femininity from an ancestral perspective. Then, Odi emerged, and the story began to revolve around her journey to discover her origins. Together, they symbolize African feminine curiosity, strength, and wisdom. Both were inspired by my mother—two sides of the same coin: Nasambi is wise and serene; Odi is fearless and determined.
Christiano Terry:
We took the original story arcs created by Patience and developed them with a team of writers that includes Donald H. Hewitt (responsible for the English versions of Spirited Away , Moving Castle , and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind ) and Mika Abe ( Forest of Piano ). We also had the essential support of Masao Maruyama and co-director Arthell Isom , founder of D'ART Shtajio . Maruyama-sensei is a visionary and has encouraged us to make this an anime classic.
Otaku Saver: The guardian Kozo has a striking design and unique powers. How was he conceived?
Patience Lekien:
Kozo was inspired by ancient warriors of the Kingdom of Kongo, combined with the mythology of the spiritual dog from Congolese tradition. He can transform into a dog and traverse the world of the living and the ancestors. He is the protector of Mfinda, with divine responsibilities.
Otaku Saver: Is there any special meaning behind the characters' names?
Patience Lekien:
Yes. Odi is my mother's childhood nickname. Nasambi comes from Nzambi , which means "God," symbolizing her spiritual connection. Kozo is the name of a spiritual object ( nkisi ) in the form of a two-headed dog, very important in Kongo spirituality. Elokos come from Congolese folklore—they are creatures that live in the forest. And Queen Simbi comes from the mythological aquatic entities called Simbi .
Visuals and Influences
Otaku Saver: Mfinda 's design is heavily inspired by the Kingdom of Kongo. What was the visual research and development process like?
Patience Lekien:
I've been researching the Kingdom of Kongo for many years as a way to reconnect with my ancestry. The entire visual concept of Mfinda was born from this research—it was a natural and essential process for creating the story.
Christiano Terry:
Like Patience, I also seek knowledge about the ancestral past. Mfinda and future N LITE films are exercises in historical imagination—we want to recreate the magical worlds of the past.
Otaku Saver: What were the main artistic and cultural influences on the film's visual style?
Christiano Terry:
We are developing the studio's visual identity, and Mfinda will be one of the first works to showcase this. Obviously, we are inspired by Studio Ghibli and great anime directors from the 80s and 90s. Maruyama-sensei on Metropolis also inspires us greatly. The goal is to balance traditional Japanese techniques—hand-drawn and hand-painted—with cultural and aesthetic elements from Congo.
Culture, Representation, and Connection with Brazil
Otaku Saver: Mfinda marks a new phase in animation by placing African culture at the center of the narrative. How do you see the importance of this representation?
Christiano Terry:
I'm surprised that a film like Mfinda doesn't already exist. Cinema has the power to tell stories never told before—and that's what we're doing. It's not just about African culture, but about expanding the reach of art. We hope that Mfinda will open doors for other similar works.
Otaku Saver: Brazil has a strong African influence. How do you see this connection with the Brazilian audience?
Patience Lekien:
During my research, I discovered that most of the people brought from Kongo and Ngola (present-day Congo and Angola) were sent to Brazil because of the shorter sea route. I learned about Zumbi dos Palmares , a figure who inspires me greatly. I see many parallels between Congo and Brazil—the Amazon River and the Congo River, the rainforests, the spiritual energy. I believe the Brazilian audience will have a unique connection with Mfinda .
Expectations and Launch
Otaku Saver: Mfinda being planned ? Is there a projected global release date?
Christiano Terry:
I can't reveal too many details yet, but I can confirm that there will be a global theatrical release . The date will be announced soon.
Otaku Saver: Is there a possibility of Mfinda becoming a franchise or expanding its universe?
Christiano Terry:
Yes. We already have a manga in production , and we'll announce our distribution partners soon. For now, our focus is on making an amazing film—afterwards, we'll expand the universe naturally.
Message and Impact
Otaku Saver: What is the main message you want to convey with Mfinda ?
Patience Lekien:
The central message is that healing begins within ourselves, but ends in the community. Mfinda speaks of unity, collective healing, and reconnection with the past. It is a love letter to Congo, to African descendants, and to humanity.
Otaku Saver: If you had to describe Mfinda in a single sentence, what would it be?
Patience Lekien:
“ Mfinda is about looking back together, healing together, and moving forward together.”
Christiano Terry:
"An anime film you won't forget."
Viola Davis and JuVee Productions
Otaku Saver: Viola Davis is a world-renowned actress. What has it been like working with her on Mfinda ?
Christiano Terry:
It's been a wonderful experience. Viola, Julius Tennon, and the entire JuVee Productions believed in the project from the start. We'll have more news about this collaboration soon.
Otaku Saver: How can Viola Davis's presence strengthen the film's message and cultural impact?
Christiano Terry:
We have an incredible cast planned, with people of great cultural relevance. Each member will contribute significantly to the film's impact.
Interesting fact: Mfinda and Brazilian Folklore
Besides the strong presence of African culture in Brazil, Mfinda also drew attention for its similarities to Brazilian folklore . The country has fascinating stories about spirits and mythical beings — among them, the famous Saci-pererê , a mischievous being from the forests, known for his pranks and supernatural powers.
Otaku Saver: Have you ever heard of stories from Brazilian folklore or culture?
Christiano Terry:
I love Brazil and have always been drawn to the country's culture. I have family ties to Brazil and would love to explore a story set there in the future. We really like the idea of Saci-pererê !
Otaku Saver team is immensely grateful to Patience Lekien, Christiano Terry , and the entire N LITE for the opportunity to conduct this exclusive interview.
Felipe from Otaku Saver
Thank you, Patience and Christiano, for this inspiring conversation. We look forward to the release of Mfinda and to seeing the impact this work will have on the world and in Brazil.
