African animators and digital artists are being invited to apply for a free online Second Key Animation course designed by Japanese anime professionals Chiharu Akakura, Megumi Okawa, Yuki Yoshida, and Rikako Nakano.
The initiative offers 100 places for selected participants, with top performers being put forward to leading Japanese animation studios for consideration.
A Pan-African and International Partnership
Funded by the Government of Japan, the English-language course is a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa under its timbuktoo platform, Arc & Beyond under its TAIDO Project (a non-profit established by Sony Group), and Triggerfish Academy.
The course consists of five pre-recorded sessions released between 6 November and 13 December 2026, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. Applications officially close on 1 November 2026.
Second key animators play a vital role in turning rough key drawings into finished keyframes by completing secondary details before work moves to in-betweeners.
With global demand for anime surging—highlighted by record-breaking releases like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle and acclaimed series like Lazarus—Japanese studios are increasingly looking internationally to find skilled talent for these specialized roles.
Connecting African Talent to Global Studios
The initiative builds on growing ties between the African animation sector and Japan. Recent success stories include South African artist Malcolm Wope’s key animation work on Lazarus, Lesego Vorster’s Emmy win for Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, and Toei Animation’s co-production deal with Nigeria’s CR Motion+ for The Storyteller: The Dawn of Legend.
Organizers aim to provide African creatives with the necessary skills, networks, and opportunities to convert their talent into sustainable global careers.
Previous initiatives by Triggerfish, such as the Triggerfish Story Lab, have directly yielded hit series for platforms like Netflix (Supa Team 4) and Disney Junior (Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes).
Eligibility and Application Details
To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old and hold African citizenship (living anywhere in the world).
- Possess a digital illustration or animation portfolio or showreel.
- Be able to follow instructions in English.
- Have access to reliable internet, a digital drawing device, and a computer capable of running 2D animation software such as Clip Studio Paint.
Interested artists can submit their applications online via the official Triggerfish Academy website before the 1 November 2026 deadline.
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