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The announcement that Marvel Studios was working on a series telling the history of Wakanda caught a lot of attention when it came out last year — as did the fact that the series would be animated, as opposed to live-action. According to the people making Eyes of Wakanda, however, the choice of medium was an obvious one because of the series’ scope.

“Animation is the ultimate equalizer of locations,” showrunner Todd Harris explained in a statement about the series. “Egypt costs just as much as New York City, and the moon costs just as much as Ohio. Filming around the globe has inherent limitations that we just don’t have in animation. That freedom allowed us to reimagine an idealized version of an era that’s unaffected by human history.”

Harris was talking for a preview of what Marvel Animation is planning for 2025 released by the Walt Disney Company. He added that the series has been “a long time coming,” and that it will focus on a group of Wakandans — the Hatut Zaraze, whom he likened to “Wakanda’s CIA” — carrying out missions through the history of the nation. “They often have to venture out to regain stolen Vibranium, but they also have to keep secrets well-hidden so that Wakanda can ward off invaders and stay safe. The Hatut Zaraze are challenged in different ways to stay loyal to Wakanda as they discover the rest of the world around them,” he teased.

Ryan Coogler, who directed both Black Panther movies to date, will act as executive producer on the series, with the voice cast including Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Noni Rose.

The four-part Eyes of Wakanda is currently scheduled to debut August 6.

Want more? Make sure you've read our list of all the best Marvel Comics stories of all time, and get ready for all the free Marvel comics coming as part of this year's Free Comic Book Day / Comics Giveaway Day events.