South-African based video streaming platform, Showmax, has announced that it will be releasing an animation series to document and explore the life of Nigerian football legend, Jay Jay Okocha.
Titled Jay Jay: The Chosen One, the series is Showmax’s first animated series to be released. The series would span 13 episodes, and would be a reimagination of the the football legend’s childhood. The series is set to narrate the story of an 11-year-old boy named Augustine, with dreams of representing his school at a prestigious football tournament, and is supported by a team of friends. According to the storyline, Augustine is also passionate about animals, a characteristic which endows him with hero powers, which the character channels into fighting poachers and threats to the animal kingdom. The series is being produced by Nihilent Limited, in partnership with the production studio 5th Dimension and animation studio, I-Realities.
The series features a cast including Nigerian professionals, with Prince Unigwe playing Jay Jay, veteran actor Chinedu Ikedieze, Samuel Ajibola, pro-footballer turned actor Eric Obinna, Tinsel actress Mena Sodje, Lexan Peters and Pamilerin Ayodeji.
“I’m honoured to have an animated series that reimagines my childhood,” Okocha is quoted to have said. “Jay Jay: The Chosen One is going to bring back good childhood memories as well as inspire young children who have dreams to be football players. I’m excited about the show and grateful to Showmax and the production team who worked hard to bring it to life.”
Yolisa Phahle, CEO of Showmax and Connected Video at MultiChoice told Dateline that the new series is a crucial turn in Showmax’s attempts towards journeying and investing in visual animation. “Not only is Jay Jay: The Chosen One another locally inspired Showmax Original, it marks the beginning of our adventures in animation. This is a show we believe will find audiences globally and shines the spotlight on yet another world-class African achiever that we hope will be enjoyed by kids and the entire family.”
Born Augustine Azuka Okocha, Jay-Jay Okocha is a Nigerian former professional footballer and the country team’s attacking midfielder. The former footballer played 73 times for the Nigerian national team between 1993 and 2006, scoring 14 times, and was a member of three FIFA World Cup squads. The ace footballer had stints for Fenerbahce in Turkey, PSG in France and Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League. He also played in Germany and Qatar and retired back to the UK in 2008 after playing for Hull City.
Speaking on the yet-to-be-released series, Showmax noted the show would “give Nigerian children of all ages the opportunity to see themselves represented in animated form which is positive, humorous and educational” and “enchant and motivate kids across our continent through fantasy adventures as well as the power of sport.”
Watch the trailer here: