BREAKING: Grammy-nominated artist Masego has been officially announced as the composer for the original score of the highly anticipated anime film Mfinda. This groundbreaking move makes Masego the first Black composer to score a theatrical anime film, confirming a significant milestone in the industry.
Produced by N LITE, a Black-owned media company and anime studio with locations in both the U.S. and Tokyo, Mfinda is currently in pre-production. The film boasts a talented team, including Oscar-winning producers from GKIDS, known for their work on Boy and the Heron, as well as Viola Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions, and legendary anime producer Masao Maruyama of Tokyo Godfathers fame.
The film follows a 13-year-old Congolese girl who is swept into the mystical realm of Mfinda, a primordial forest filled with spirits, gods, and ancestors. As she navigates this enchanting world, she encounters another girl from a different time, embarking on a quest to find the magical Nkisi—her only chance of returning home amid escalating conflict between humans and nature’s spirits.
Masego, renowned for his innovative fusion of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music—dubbed “TrapHouseJazz”—is set to create a score that combines timeless elements with contemporary storytelling. His rise to fame began with the viral hit “Tadow” in 2017, and he has since collaborated with major platforms, including a 2021 partnership with Apple Music for “Mystery Lady.”
Expressing his excitement, Masego shared, “Black anime is my internal world, so when Christiano called me to be a part of this, there was nothing to think about: I’m in.” His enthusiasm for the genre is palpable, as he cites influences from beloved titles like Howl’s Moving Castle and My Hero Academia.
Co-writer Christiano Terry also emphasized Masego’s significance, stating, “Masego is one of my favorite artists of all time, and it is an honor to welcome him as composer on Mfinda. We hope the music in the score is something the audience will never forget.”
Joining Masego in the scoring process is Ozie Cargile, a celebrated musical director at N LITE and a 2019 Sundance Fellow. Cargile brings extensive experience with notable projects, including collaborations with actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and executive producer Lena Waithe on various animations and films.
As Mfinda gears up for production, this unique collaboration is poised to not only redefine representation in anime but also resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Fans are eagerly awaiting the film’s release, which is set for 2025.
Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking project as it develops!
