One super actress is using her influence to take a digital property into the physical world.
In partnership with Just Play, Lupita Nyong’o touted the release of the first ever doll for the YouTube Originals animated series Super Sema, which follows the world-changing adventures of extraordinary young African girl Sema. Executive-produced by Nyong’o, the show takes place in an African-futuristic world where Sema and her brother use their science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) superpowers to save their village from an evil artificially intelligent robot.
Available exclusively on Amazon for preorder, the deluxe talking doll is 12 inches tall and in the likeness of the animated Sema character, with the chance to move and pose the doll just like in the series. Just Play worked closely with the show’s creators to include 22 phrases and the Super Sema theme song that kids can hear with the press of a button. A two-pack of plush characters is also available for purchase now, featuring an 8.5-inch-tall Sema and a 6.25-inch-tall Moyo (Sema’s pet goat).
“I’m excited to see Super Sema come to life as a doll so that kids around the world can play out Sema’s STEAM-powered adventures at home,” says Nyong’o. “I’m deeply invested in making Black children feel confident and comfortable in their own skin and, like in the series, this will give them the opportunity to play, be creative, and invent with toys that look like them.”
This announcement comes just before Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to 2018’s Chadwick Boseman-led Black Panther, premieres in theaters on Nov. 11 — and in which Nyong’o stars. The doll will be delivered on Nov. 14.
