The first episode of Marvel Animation’s Eyes of Wakanda, a four-part animated anthology series from the Black Panther franchise, premiered at a panel during the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Following the premiere, details about Eyes of Wakanda Episode 1 have been revealed. The 30-minute episode is set in 1260 B.C. and follows a Wakandan secret agent—a disgraced former Dora Milaje named Noni—as she pursues a man known as “Lion.”
Lion has defected from the Wakandan guard to lead a band of pirates and has stolen Wakandan technology to establish his own kingdom.
It is confirmed that Eyes of Wakanda will officially feature an Iron Fist. “[But] not the Iron Fist you expect,” says creator Todd Harris.
The animation used in the show is in a graphic 3D style by Axis Animation Studio, featuring exaggerated character designs and 2D visual effects. Meanwhile, the opening sequence is hand-drawn by artists at AKA Studio.
Harris said, “There was a version of the show which had 2D montages.” He added, “But due to time constraints, this was kept to the opening to preserve that spirit. It’s also a nod to the show’s visual roots,” as Harris pointed out, “since charcoal drawings are the first stage of a painting.”
The story begins in the Western Bronze Age — a spy-espionage thriller that spans centuries, featuring different Wakandan warriors across time. Harris leads the project as both showrunner and director. The series follows the Hatut Zeraze (Wakanda’s elite covert force) tasked with retrieving Vibranium artifacts that fall into the wrong hands.
Cress Williams (Black Lightning) voices a character known as The Lion, while Winnie Harlow (America’s Next Top Model) as Noni. The series also features an ensemble voice cast including Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, and Zeke Alton.
“The adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history. In this globe-trotting series, the heroes must carry out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zeraze, and this is their story.”
Ryan Coogler serves as an executive producer on the series, alongside Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Proximity Media’s Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Kalia King.
Eyes of Wakanda will premiere on August 6 on Disney+.
