Eyes of Wakanda: Marvel Studios’ Next Big Leap in Animation, Culture & MCU Lore

Marvel Studios is once again reshaping how we experience superhero storytelling with Eyes of Wakanda, its next animated entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Set to premiere on August 1, 2025, on Disney+, this Black Panther-inspired series is making history—not just in content, but in how it’s delivered.
While Marvel has experimented with release strategies before, Eyes of Wakanda will be the first Marvel Studios Animation project to embrace a full-season binge model. All four episodes will be available to stream on day one, giving fans the chance to immerse themselves in its entire story without waiting week after week.
But what makes Eyes of Wakanda truly stand out isn’t just its release strategy—it’s the show’s powerful creative direction, cultural depth, and connections to the broader MCU.
A Visual Revolution in Marvel Animation
Brought to life by Axis Animation, Eyes of Wakanda features a hand-painted art style inspired by contemporary African-American artists. Visually, it’s a departure from anything Marvel has produced before. The vibrant textures and culturally-rooted design reflect both the mystical and regal essence of Wakanda, while also exploring new visual languages rarely seen in mainstream animation.
Even early artwork and posters hint at the show’s ability to honor the familiar iconography of Black Panther while charting a bold, original path forward.
Telling Wakanda’s Untold History
Since Wakanda’s introduction in Black Panther (2018), fans have been eager to explore more of its rich traditions and legacy. Eyes of Wakanda answers that call. The series travels across generations, following the Hatut Zaraze—Wakanda’s secretive warrior spies—as they recover Vibranium artifacts lost throughout history.
By shifting the focus from present-day events to Wakanda’s past, the show offers a deeper look at the nation’s spiritual beliefs, technological advancements, and long-standing secrecy. It’s a chance to see Wakanda as it was—before T’Challa, before the Avengers, before the world knew it existed.
Meet the Characters: The Lion & Noni
Leading this journey are two compelling new characters:
Cress Williams voices The Lion, a former Wakandan general-turned-pirate whose past and choices echo with tension and transformation.
Winnie Harlow voices Noni, a fierce ex-Dora Milaje whose loyalty, training, and resilience shape the story’s emotional heart.
Together, their dynamic promises depth, action, and the kind of storytelling that pushes animated superhero series into truly dramatic territory.
Hints of Iron Fist and Secret Cities
At D23 2024, creators hinted at an even broader Marvel mythology appearing in the show—including a character with a glowing fist, strongly teasing the arrival of Iron Fist or someone from K’un-Lun. This opens doors to deeper world-building, especially with historical versions of iconic mantles. If Eyes of Wakanda explores multiple “secret cities,” it could lay the groundwork for future crossovers and expand the supernatural side of the MCU.
Timeline Connections & Canonical Surprises
Unlike some Marvel Animation efforts that sit in alternate universes, Eyes of Wakanda is firmly rooted in the MCU’s Sacred Timeline. That means viewers should expect references, cameos, and events that fit within the existing cinematic continuity. There’s even buzz that the show might finally address certain fan-theorized stories involving Captain America and Wakanda, possibly tying into events glimpsed in Avengers: Endgame or The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.