London-based CAKE has acquired international distribution rights to the YouTube original series Super Sema.

UK- and Nairobi-based Kukua produces the 20 x five-minute CG-animated preschool series about twins who turn to science and technology to protect their African village from a villain and his army of robots. Actor Lupita N’Yong’o (Black Panther) executive produces.

Super Sema has been on the rise since its launch on YouTube Premium in March 2021, with a second season (12 x 11 minutes) released this June. It runs alongside STEAM educational short videos exploring science, technology, engineering, arts and math with fun experiments and crafts.

Described by CAKE as the world’s first-to-launch African animated kids’ superhero franchise, Super Sema piqued the company’s interest with its positive and inspirational messaging, says CEO Ed Galton.

It’s an attribute that kids like too—the series has over 50 million views and more than 70,000 subscribers to its YouTube channel. It is set to expand into CP as well, with a toyline from Toronto-based Just Play North America set to release later this year.

CAKE has more than 13 properties in development, including Mama K’s Team 4 with Triggerfish Animation for Netflix and Angelo Rules with TeamTO for France Télévisions. Its latest partnership was in June with Slovenia’s Invida to produce the new computer-animated series The Lost Bots (78 x seven minutes).