Jamaica No Duppy
Some of you may have only just heard about Jamaica no Duppy. For the animation community in Jamaica, we have been following it since the filmmaker, Tolga Akcayli made a joke on Tik Tok in 2021 about a Japanese Samurai who got stuck in Jamaica.
Well the joke went viral and several Jamaicans approved this joke. The joke eventually became a full blown project that had Tolga searching for artists and voice actors to work on the trailer. Two years later and here we are. The trailer is out and the word is spreading rapidly.
The trailer was premiered at the 2023 Animecom Fest. You might be asking “What is Animecom Fest?” well it’s an annual comic and anime convention and festival that brings members of the anime community together to display their costumes, talent, merchandise, and skills. Comics, art, and services are sold at this convention and many connections are made.
www.animecomfest.com
At the event, hundreds of patrons crowded in a very hot basement cinema to catch a glimpse of the anime they have been waiting 2 years to see and they were not disappointed. During the premier, the trailer caused an eruption of volcanic proportions in an already sweltering room. The excitement was so ragingly loud in approval that the crowd chanted for a replay. Their wish was granted, and the excitement was just as explosive.
Tolga, a St. Vincentian and Turkish national was admittedly nervous as to whether Jamaicans would like it, hoping he captured the cultural nuances satisfactorily and that he did. It resonated. When asked how much the anime cost him, he stated that it cost USD$6,000 to make the two and a half minute trailer which included some very impressive background designs of Kingston incorporating hidden secrets within. It also prominently featured Jamaican folklore.
His trip to Jamaica was two pronged. To premier the anime and to find local artists to work on the full length production which is currently being crowdfunded on Gofundme. https://www.gofundme.com/f/jamaicananime The trailer has already started making noise in the media being covered by Our Today and Loop News
Look out for an interview with Tolga soon on our JANN youtube channel.
The Jamaica Animation Nation Network is an association with the primary goal of uniting, educating, promoting and empowering the animation community in Jamaica. For further information email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our Instagram and IG pages. @animatejamaica @animtionjamaica
