The series is set in a fictional African city called Kimoja City, and centers on three best friends named Kiya, Jay, and Motsie. Whenever there is a problem in town, the trio heads to their headquarters called Crystal Eyes where they transform into superheroes. The friends can also transform outside of Crystal Eyes by putting on their bandanas.
Characters
Main
Kiya (voiced by Dineo du Toit) is the leader of the Kimoja Heroes. Her gadget is a baton that creates energy rings that can hold things they surround. She is seven years old.
Jay (voiced by Ian Ho) is Motsie's older stepbrother and one of Kiya's friends and fellow superheroes. His gadget is a guitar that creates energy blocks that can be used as barriers and has the ability to fly.
Motsie (voiced by Fontina Fourtounes) is Jay's younger stepsister and one of Kiya's friends and fellow superheroes. Her interests are roller skating and building high-tech tools. Her gadget is a zip tool that is used to grab and swing on things. She is also equipped with special nets for trapping things.
Recurring
Daddy Jo (voiced by Bonko Khoza) is Kiya's widowed father and the owner of a food truck.
Bra Jabu is the owner of a produce stand.
MC Harmony is the events coordinator of Kimoja City.
Aunty Busi is a woman who is conscious about her hair.
Gogo Flo is Kiya's maternal grandmother.
Shandu is Jay and Motsie's mother who works as a hairstylist.
Marianne is Jay and Motsie's other mother who works as a safari park worker.
Villains
Zane/Acrobrat (voiced by Christian Campbell) is a young Kimojian who turns into Acrobrat when he doesn't get his way. As Acrobrat, he is athletic as his alter-ego suggests, and can roll into a ball to travel faster.
Haddy Collider (voiced by Maja Vujicic) is a mechanical supervillain who creates gadgets to stop the Kimoja Heroes.
Galactoslug (voiced by Cory Doran) is Haddy's sidekick and pet slug.
Primadonna (voiced by Tumelo Mosese) is a supervillain with telekinesis that wreaks havoc when something goes wrong.
On February 25, 2021, it was announced that Entertainment One had greenlit Kiya, a series about a young superhero and her two best friends, set to launch in multiple markets globally in 2023. Kiya's world features a diverse cast of characters inspired by the varied landscape, natural beauty and culture of Southern Africa. The series is based on an original concept from South African-based production company Triggerfish and developed for television by Frogbox and eOne.[11]
On June 17, 2021, it was announced that Disney Junior and Disney+ had picked up both broadcasting and streaming rights for the series, now titled Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes.[1]
Broadcast
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes premiered on Disney Junior on March 22, 2023, with the first three episodes being released on Disney+ earlier that day.[12]
Notes
^ abThis episode was first released on Disney+ on March 22, 2023.
^This episode was first released on DisneyNow on March 22, 2023.
^ abcdeThis episode was first released on Disney+ on January 10, 2024.[10]
