Showmax is set to launch a new animated series titled ‘Jay Jay: The Chosen One,’ which is based on the childhood of Augustine Jay Jay Okocha.
According to Deadline, the series is a reimagining of his childhood and follows an 11-year-old Augustine as he dreams of representing his school at a prestigious football tournament with a team made up of his group of friends.
The 13-episode series also showcases his love for the animal kingdom, which bestows superpowers on him in return for his fight against illegal poaching.
Jay Jay is a soccer legend who played for the Nigerian national team between 1993 and 2006, leading the country to Olympic victory at the 1996 Atlanta games.
He played in three World Cups, the English Premier League, and eventually Hull City before retiring in 2008. The series is voiced by a Nigerian cast led by Prince Unigwe who plays Jay Jay and includes Chinedu Ikedieze, Samuel Ajibola, Eric Obinna, Mena Sodje, Lexan Peters, and Pamilerin Ayodeji.
Yolisa Phahle, CEO of Showmax and Connected Video at MultiChoice, expressed excitement about the first-of-its-kind series and its potential to find audiences globally.
‘Jay Jay: The Chosen One’ is produced by Nihilent Limited in partnership with the production studio 5th Dimension and animation studio I-Realities, and the series soundtrack features music from popular Nigerian singer and vocalist, Waje.
LC Singh, Nihilent Limited’s director and executive vice chairman, shared his thoughts on working on Showmax’s first original animated series, stating that it was a challenging but rewarding experience to bring the vision to life with talented Nigerian voice artists, animators, and Showmax.
The series will be available exclusively on Showmax.com from April 6, 2023, with new episodes every Thursday.
