| Eyes of Wakanda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Todd Harris |
| Based on | Marvel Comics |
| Developed by | Ryan Coogler |
| Showrunner | Todd Harris |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Hesham Nazih |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
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| Editor | John K. Carr |
| Running time | 30–32 minutes[1] |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney+ |
| Release | August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01) |
| Related | |
| Marvel Cinematic Universe television series | |
Eyes of Wakanda is an American animatedanthology televisionminiseries created by Todd Harris for the streaming serviceDisney+, based on theMarvel Comics countryWakanda. It is the15th television series in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fromMarvel Studios and is produced byMarvel Studios Animation withProximity Media, sharing continuity withthe films of the franchise. It follows theHatut Zaraze,Wakandan warriors who carry out dangerous missions throughout history. Harris served asshowrunner and director.
The series starsWinnie Harlow,Cress Williams, Larry Herron, Adam Gold,Jacques Colimon,Jona Xiao, Zeke Alton, andSteve Toussaint. In February 2021, an overall deal between Disney andRyan Coogler's Proximity Media was announced. An animated series about Wakanda was in development by March 2023, and was officially announced asEyes of Wakanda that December. Harris's involvement was revealed in March 2024. UnlikeMarvel Animation's other series to that point,Eyes of Wakanda is set in the MCU's "Sacred Timeline" and has greater connections with the franchise's films. Animation for the series is provided by Axis Animation in a hand-painted style inspired by contemporary African-American artists such asErnie Barnes, as well as illustratorDean Cornwell.
Eyes of Wakanda premiered on Disney+ on August 1, 2025, with all four episodes released simultaneously. It is the first series ofPhase Six of the MCU.
TheHatut Zaraze,Wakandan warriors, carry out dangerous missions around the world to retrievevibranium artifacts throughout history.[2]
Additionally, the charactersUatu / Watcher andN'Jadaka / Erik "Killmonger" Stevens make non-speakingcameo appearances in the series.[3][8]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Into the Lion's Den" | Todd Harris | Geoffrey Thorne | August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01) | |
In 1260 BC, the formerDora Milaje Noni is tasked by her mentor Akeya with a mission to hunt down and capture a rogueHatut Zaraze agent namedNkati, who has defied all previous efforts to apprehend him. Akeya fears that Nkati will shareWakandan technology, exposing the kingdom. Calling himself the Lion, Nkati plans to create the "Pride of the Lion", an independent state populated by abducted men and women from across the world. Noni allows herself to be captured during a raid onMinoanCrete. After hijacking a ship and freeing the other captives, Noni infiltrates Nkati's deep-sea complex. After surviving attacks from several trained warriors, Noni confronts and subsequently defeats him in a duel. The mortally wounded Nkati triggers a self-destruct device which destroys the entire complex. Noni survives the explosion and Akeya invites her to rejoin the Dora Milaje. The fiercely independent Noni instead chooses to join the Hatut Zaraze. Cast : Winnie Harlow as Noni,Cress Williams as Nkati / The Lion, andPatricia Belcher as Akeya[3] | |||||
| 2 | "Legends and Lies" | John Fang | Marc Bernardin | August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01) | |
During theTrojan War in 1200 BC, B'Kai has infiltrated the Greek army under the alias ofMemnon and fights alongsideAchilles in their battle against the Trojans. Memnon's allegiance is questioned by Ferro but Achilles defends him.Odysseus pitches his idea of theTrojan Horse. The Horse is built and given to the Trojans. Later that night, Memnon, Achilles, and their soldiers emerge from the Trojan Horse and silently take out the guards while letting in the rest of the Greek army. One guard sounds the alarm before he is killed alerting the Trojans to the infiltrators. Memnon diverts from the battle but Achilles sees him deserting. Memnon confronts a fleeingParis andHelen of Troy where he persuades them to give up Helen’s necklace. Achilles catches up to see Memnon letting Paris and Helen flee. After understanding the power inside the necklace, Achilles questions about the necklace, but Memnon does not give information on the necklace. Assuming that Memnon is a traitor, Achilles and Memnon fight but Memnon wounds Achilles inthe heel and regretfully stabs him. Having returned the artifact home, B'Kai speaks to an older Noni, who tells him not to feel guilt for his actions because Wakanda will only survive by concealing itself from outsiders. B'Kai, in turn, tells Noni that he feels like a stranger in Wakanda after spending nine years undercover and asks to be sent on another mission immediately. Cast : Larry Herron as B'Kai / Memnon, Adam Gold as Achilles,Lynn Whitfield as Noni, Jason Konopisos as Ferro,Kiff VandenHeuvel as Odysseus, Yerman Gur as Paris, and Joanna Kalafatis as Helen of Troy[3] | |||||
| 3 | "Lost and Found" | John Fang and Todd Harris | Marc Bernardin | August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01) | |
In 1400 AD, Wakandan field agent Basha has infiltratedK'un-Lun to retrieve a piece of vibranium held inside a small dragon statue. The vibranium can't be removed, so Basha takes the statue's head and flies back to Wakanda. Upon his return, Basha debriefs with his field leader Ebo and Councilman Rakim. In the hangar, amysterious intruder emerges from Basha's ship. The intruder then encounters Ebo and asks for Basha. He tricks the intruder into a cafeteria filled with Hatut Zaraze, but the intruder fights them off and escapes. Basha encounters the intruder, who is revealed to be Jorani, the woman who found him in the snow outside of K'un-Lun and nursed him back to health. In the artifact room, Basha explains that the artifact was stolen from Wakanda, but Jorani chastises him for betraying her trust. With herIron Fist powers, she easily removes the vibranium from the statue. Hiding Jorani in a room, Basha and Ebo cover up the incident to Rakim's satisfaction, and he promotes Ebo. Then they sneak Jorani back to the hangar so that she can return to K'un-Lun with the statue's head. Cast : Jacques Colimon as Basha,Jona Xiao as Jorani / Iron Fist, Isaac Robinson-Smith as Ebo, andGary Anthony Williams as Rakim[3] | |||||
| 4 | "The Last Panther" | Todd Harris | Geoffrey Thorne | August 1, 2025 (2025-08-01) | |
In 1896 AD, Kuda mentors Prince Tafari on his first mission to retrieve a vibranium axe fromAdwa during abattle; Tafari retrieves the axe. On their way back to Wakanda, an armoured person suddenly appears, causes their transport to crash and fights them. Kuda and Tafari get the better of the adversary, but she reveals herself to be the queen of Wakanda and the lastBlack Panther from 500 years in the future. The Black Panther shows them a vision of Wakanda in ruins, destroyed by aliens known as theHorde due to Wakanda's isolationist policy, which stopped them from uniting with other nations to fight against the Horde. The Black Panther sent herself back in time to find a way of stopping the Horde and found that the axe helps afuture king of Wakanda to see the wider world as potential allies if the axe is left where it was found. To prove that the Black Panther is from the future, she reveals that the present queen is pregnant. The last Panther is pulled back into the future. Tafari confirms Kuda about the present queen's pregnancy. Tafari and Kuda return to Adwa but Kuda is injured. Tafari places the axe back where it was found. After Tafari covers up what happened when speaking to the royal family, Tafari and Kuda hope the failure of their original mission was worthy to save the future. Years later,Erik "Killmonger" Stevens prepares to steal the axe which is now on display in a London museum.[a] Cast : Zeke Alton as Tafari,Steve Toussaint as Kuda,Anika Noni Rose as Black Panther, andDebra Wilson as a Dora Milaje general[3] | |||||
In February 2021,Ryan Coogler—writer and director of theMarvel Studios filmsBlack Panther (2018) andBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)—announced a five-year television deal between his companyProximity Media andThe Walt Disney Company. The deal included the development of a drama series for the streaming serviceDisney+ based on the fictional country ofWakanda, the setting of theBlack Panther films. Coogler was developing the series with Marvel Studios'Kevin Feige,Louis D'Esposito, andVictoria Alonso.[9][10] Richard Newby atThe Hollywood Reporter said the series could expand the mythos of Wakanda while also paying tribute toChadwick Boseman, who portrayedT'Challa / Black Panther in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) until his death in August 2020. Newby suggested that the series could further explore the characterM'Baku and theJabari Tribe;N'Jadaka / Erik "Killmonger" Stevens's mercenary past; T'Challa's fatherT'Chaka and his time asBlack Panther; or theDora Milaje, Wakanda's all-female special forces. Newby also noted several comic book characters that the series could introduce to the MCU:Bashenga, the first Black Panther; teenage activistQueen Divine Justice who joins the Dora Milaje; orNYPD officerKasper Cole / White Tiger, who also takes on the mantle of Black Panther.[11]
Proximity Media was developing several series set in Wakanda by November 2022.[12] In March 2023, journalistJeff Sneider reported that Coogler and Disney were developing an animated series with the tentative titleThe Golden City, referring to the Wakandan capital cityBirnin Zana;[13][14] a production listing gaveGolden City as theworking title for the initial Wakanda-set drama series.[14][15] The following month, Marvel Studios executive Nate Moore said they had discussed multiple ideas for featuringBlack Panther characters in Disney+ series but they were wary about detracting from the "cinematic experience" of the franchise.[16] In December,Marvel Studios Animation headBrad Winderbaum officially announced the animated seriesEyes of Wakanda as part of a sizzle reel of the studio's upcoming series. It was revealed to focus on the stories of different Wakandan warriors throughout history.[17] Coogler and Proximity Media were confirmed to be involved,[18][19] and ashowrunner was working on the series by then.[20] Commentators discussed whether it was the same as a previously reported series focused on the Dora Milaje characterOkoye.[21] Stephanie Holland atThe Root compared the series' premise to the animatedStar Wars seriesTales of the Jedi (2022), which similarly follows different characters at different times.[22]
Former Marvel Studios storyboard artist Todd Harris was revealed in January 2024 to havepitched the series to Marvel and Coogler.[19] He originally conceived the story while doing storyboard work for the MCU filmAvengers: Infinity War (2018) and was introduced to Coogler, who was in production onBlack Panther at the time.[23] Harris looked to combine "the interconnectivity of Marvel with the interconnectivity of history along with the interconnectivity of the human story" in the series,[7] and hoped to have it release as an "accompanying piece" toBlack Panther given Marvel Studios had yet to form its animation studio. Once Marvel Studios Animation was formed, they approached Harris about proceeding with the idea.[23] Later in 2024, Winderbaum said Harris created and directed the series,[24][25] and he was confirmed to be the showrunner in January 2025.[26] Harris describedEyes of Wakanda as "anthology adjacent" given each short story in each time period form a larger, continuous narrative.[7] Harris was also an executive producer alongside Coogler, Winderbaum, Feige, D'Esposito, Zinzi Coogler,Sev Ohanian, Kalia King, andDana Vasquez-Eberhardt.[2] Marvel Studios reportedly spent nearly $20 million between June 2022 and June 2023 on an animated series that was believed to beEyes of Wakanda.[27] Each episode is 30 minutes.[1]
Geoffrey Thorne, who worked as a writer on the animated seriesUltimate Spider-Man (2012–2017) and served as showrunner on the fifth season of the animated seriesAvengers Assemble (2013–2019), was the first writer to join the project.[23]Marc Bernardin, who worked as a writer on the video gameMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra (2026), wrote two episodes by December 2023. He worked on them for nine months during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[28]Matthew Chauncey also wrote for the series after doing so for the Marvel Studios seriesWhat If...? (2021–2024) andMs. Marvel (2022).[29]: 7 [better source needed]
Eyes of Wakanda follows theHatut Zaraze, Wakandan warriors who travel the world throughout history to retrieve dangerousvibranium artifacts.[2] It is centered on the legacy of the Black Panther as that mantle is passed down over generations,[30] and on the idea that Wakanda is "untethered by expansion" and hidden from the rest of the world. Harris said the Hatut Zaraze were "Wakanda'sCIA" whose loyalty is tested on their missions,[26] calling the series a "giant spy-espionage" that spans time.[7]Eyes of Wakanda is set in several past time periods, with its respective episodes taking place in 1260 BCCrete during theBronze Age, 1200 BC during theTrojan War, 1400 AD China at the start of theMing dynasty, and 1896 AD Ethiopia during theFirst Italo-Ethiopian War.[31][6][32] Coogler was drawn to theSea Peoples, a group who existed around 1200 BC and "raided everybody", which allowed Harris and the writers to form the premise of imagining if they had been led by Wakandans with their technology and tactics and "what kind of disruptive force would they be in this era".[23]
The series is set in the MCU's "Sacred Timeline" along withthe films andlive-action series, differentiating it from Marvel Animation's earlier series such asWhat If...? andYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025–present), which are set in alternate universes from the main MCU.[24][25] The creative team worked back from the "existing framework" of the films when developing the series' stories.[33]Eyes of Wakanda focuses more on Wakandan principles rather than a distant relative of a known Wakandan character in the present.[7]
Winnie Harlow,Cress Williams,Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold,Lynn Whitfield,Jacques Colimon,Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith,Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton,Steve Toussaint, andAnika Noni Rose were revealed to have been cast in the series in November 2024. Cress voices a character calledNkati / The Lion.[34] In May 2025, Harlow was revealed to be voicing a character named Noni, while Harris said Rose played a "crucial role" in the series.[7] At the end of July, Xiao revealed she was voicing an incarnation ofIron Fist,[35] later identified as the original MCU characterJorani.[36]
Animation for the series is provided by Axis Animation, withStudio AKA animating a hand-drawn opening sequence.[1] It is presented in a widescreen aspect ratio.[23]Eyes of Wakanda features a hand-painted animation style inspired by contemporary African-American artists such asErnie Barnes, as well as illustratorDean Cornwell;[33][37] Barnes' style served as inspiration for the characters' exaggerated proportions in the series. The animators also looked at contemporary international art starring in the present and working backwards to find common themes that could translate to Wakandan influence throughout history.[1] Craig Ellliot, head of the art department, worked with artists around the world, including from Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.[23] Work on character designs andanimatics occurred by the series' announcement in December 2023.[20] Harris said the ambitious series could only be made with animation due to the locations and time periods depicted, explaining that in animation "Egypt costs just as much as New York City, and the Moon costs just as much as Ohio".[26]
Hesham Nazih composed the score for the series, after previously working on the Marvel Studios seriesMoon Knight (2022).[38] The soundtrack was released on August 8, 2025.[39]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eyes of Wakanda Main Title" | 1:17 |
| 2. | "Eyes of Wakanda Main on Ends" | 1:17 |
| 3. | "Raiders" | 2:29 |
| 4. | "Not a Time for Gaming" | 2:40 |
| 5. | "Liberation Part One" | 3:46 |
| 6. | "Liberation Part Two" | 3:32 |
| 7. | "Threat Remains" | 2:36 |
| 8. | "Troy Battle" | 3:13 |
| 9. | "Fireside Chat" | 4:37 |
| 10. | "This Ends Tonight" | 4:10 |
| 11. | "Himalayas" | 2:38 |
| 12. | "It's Good to Be Home" | 0:46 |
| 13. | "The Mission Is What Matters Part One" | 1:03 |
| 14. | "The Mission Is What Matters Part Two" | 0:51 |
| 15. | "The Mission Is What Matters Part Three" | 3:06 |
| 16. | "The Mission Is What Matters Part Four" | 2:07 |
| 17. | "You Were Never My Mission Part One" | 1:39 |
| 18. | "You Were Never My Mission Part Two" | 2:16 |
| 19. | "You Were Never My Mission Part Three" | 0:58 |
| 20. | "Greatest Heroes" | 3:32 |
| 21. | "Lectures" | 3:38 |
| 22. | "Not Your Enemy" | 4:51 |
| 23. | "Forgotten Son Part One" | 1:20 |
| 24. | "Forgotten Son Part Two" | 7:38 |
| Total length: | 1:01:02 | |
Eyes of Wakanda was promoted by Coogler and Harris during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at theD23 convention in August 2024, where some footage was shown.[40][33][41] Footage from the series was included in a video that was released by Disney+ in October, announcing the release schedule for Marvel Television and Marvel Animation projects through the end of 2025.[42] More footage was included in asizzle reel that was shown at Disney'supfront presentation in May 2025.[43]
Eyes of Wakanda premiered onDisney+ on August 1, 2025,[44] with all four episodes.[40] It was previously set for release in 2024,[45] and was scheduled for August 6 and then August 27 before the August 1 date was set.[42][46][44] The first episode was screened at theAnnecy International Animation Film Festival on June 9.[47][1]Eyes of Wakanda is the first series ofPhase Six of the MCU.[48]
Whip Media, which tracks viewership data for the more than 25 million worldwide users of itsTV Time app, announced thatEyes of Wakanda was the third most-anticipated new television series of August 2025.[49] Streaming analytics firm FlixPatrol, which monitors daily updated VOD charts and streaming ratings across the globe, reported that as of August 4, the series ranked as the number one show on Disney+ across all available markets following the debut of all four episodes.[50] In the United States, as of August 5,Eyes of Wakanda ranked third overall on the platform's combined chart of films and series.[51] During the week beginning August 6,Eyes of Wakanda was the most-streamed series on Disney+, outperforming other popular titles such asGrey's Anatomy andModern Family.[52] TVision, which tracks viewer attention, program reach, and engagement across more than 1,000 CTV apps, reported that it was the eighteenth most-streamed series between August 4–10.[53]
The review aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes reports a 91% approval rating based on 34 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Fleshing out the iconic MCU kingdom with concise stories and an attractive visual texture,Eyes of Wakanda is an accomplished animated addition to Black Panther lore."[54]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 72 out of 100 based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable."[55]
Charles Pulliam-Moore ofThe Verge said thatEyes of Wakanda successfully blends Marvel fantasy with grounded storytelling rooted in Wakandan history. He noted that the series explores nuanced questions of justice, morality, and the ethics of Wakanda's secrecy. Pulliam-Moore praised the visuals, engaging use of African-inspired historical moments, and the balance of brutality and whimsy. He also highlighted showrunner Todd Harris for creating morally complex characters and coherent, captivating stories that distinguish the series among recent Disney+ animated anthologies, delivering Marvel entertainment that is both thoughtful and exciting.[56] Dennis Perkins ofThe A.V. Club gaveEyes of Wakanda a grade of "B", describing it as a thought-provoking and entertaining animated series. He praised the animation for giving the characters distinct physicality and enhancing both action and storytelling. Perkins appreciated the exploration of loyalty, freedom, and cultural morality through characters such as Noni and Memnon. He also complimented the show for its imaginative fight scenes, nuanced portrayal of Wakanda's ethical dilemmas, and its ability to provide meaningful world-building within the MCU while remaining visually vibrant and engaging.[57]
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