Global entertainment, talent and sports company UTA has been appointed as the North American licensing and publishing agency for YouTube Originals series "Super Sema." 

The program is the world's first children's animated series focused on an African kid superhero. UTA will work alongside global master toy licensee Just Play and focus on retail initiatives and partners in publishing, apparel, home and accessories. 

"' Super Sema' represents a historic step forward in the world of educational children's entertainment, and we couldn't be happier to help bring its characters to life," says Sid Kaufman, ventures department agent, UTA. "We are looking forward to working with Kukua and Just Play to license and publish products that embody the show's positive themes." 

Just Play will be introducing "Super Sema" toys, including talking dolls and plush characters, with products expected to launch across North America this fall. 

"Super Sema" is produced by the startup Kukua. The female-led team includes chief executive officer Lucrezia Bisignani and actress and children's author Lupita Nyong'o as executive producer and shareholder in Kukua. The series focuses on the adventures of a young African girl, Sema, and her twin brother MB on a mission to protect their town Dunia from the villainous Tobor. 

"Like UTA, we were drawn to 'Super Sema,' who embodies strength, curiosity, innovation and confidence," says Geoffrey Greenberg, co-president, Just Play. "We're thrilled to partner with Kukua and UTA on this phenomenal franchise to bring the adventure-themed play of this inspiring African role model to kids all over the world." 

"Super Sema's" first season of 20 five-minute episodes premiered as a YouTube Originals series in March 2021. Its second season will debut this spring, and Kukua will launch a series of educational videos on YouTube to help kids explore the STEAM themes and topics in the animated series 

"From the very beginning, 'Super Sema' stood out as one of those shows that had that special something," says Nadine Zylstra, head, family, learning and impact, YouTube Originals. They don't come around very often, but when they do, it's phenomenal. We've been so inspired working with the incredible Kukua team, and with tens of millions of views on their channel in just the last year, it's been wonderful to see the rest of the world fall in love with Sema, too."