Aaron NabusHall H Show host Aaron Nabus talks to Hotep about his anime short film about The Amazing Ariyah This episode is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Deezer, Amazon Music, and Spotify. The Hall H Show is produced by Aaron Nabus and Alex Benedicto and is the “Voice of Independent Creators.”
Show Notes:
Hello fellow nerds, geeks and supporters of indie pop culture creators! Aaron Nabus here and thanks for tuning into this episode of the Hall H Show!
On this episode, we welcome to the show, the creator of the 80’s anime inspired, Black Lion and Cubs, Hotep!
Born in New York City in the 1970s, Hotep is the personification of the progress made during the civil rights movements, the birth of Hip-Hop music, and the emergence of Black culture in American society. After graduating from Morehouse College, he became one of the only Black, male kindergarten teachers in his district. There, he learned first-hand how powerful and influential media is on the human mind and psyche.
Today, Hotep is a consultant to schools across the United States, a father of 2 and producer of several different types of media including: books, cartoons, films, music and video games. His most recent creation, a family-friendly anime series called Black Lion and Cubs is a perfect example of why his work has earned him nominations for the Presidential Citizen’s Award and as a CNN Hero.
The Black Lion and Cubs universe incorporates, for now, a cartoon series, videogame, album, graphic novels, and motion manga series.
I had the pleasure of meeting him at Black Comix Day 2024 in San Diego, CA where he was part of the panel that I moderated that touched on Black Culture in Anime and Manga.
He currently has an active Kickstarter campaign going on until March 3, 2025 for his newest project – an anime short film about one of the characters from the Black Lion and Cubs universe, the Amazing Ariyah.
Welcome to the show, Hotep!
Origin Story Questions:
- Where did you grow up and what was 11 year old Hotep like?
- What were some of your favorite things to watch, listen to, play, and read at that age?
- Why did your Fandom end in 1991?
Black Lion and Cub, Ariyah and Kickstarter Questions:
- It looks like you debuted Black Lion and Cubs in July of 2023 with a bang. A cartoon, videogame, album and a comic! How long have you been working on Black Lion and Cubs and why did you feel empowered to create it?
- What is the secret link between Black Lion and Cubs, Last Dragon, and Karate Kid?
- If you were at a comic convention, how would you describe Black Lion and Cubs to people visiting your table?
- Could you tell us about a few of the main characters?
- What is the Black Lion and Cubs universe like? What kind of journey do the protagonists go on?
- You have a huge catalog of work, but this is the first time that you have attempted a Kickstarter campaign. Why did you feel the need to tap into crowdfunding for this project?
- How long will the anime short be? It’s about 85% completed, right?
- Who is on the creative team? How did you find them?
- Are there any details of the Kickstarter campaign that you would like to highlight?
- What does the future of the Black Lion and Cubs universe look like? 5 years?
Thunder Round Questions:
- Who is your favorite Dragonball Z character and why?
- What’s one word that you would use to describe yourself?
- Judging by a photo I saw from one of your speaking engagements, I thought maybe you would have chosen the word, “Accountable.” In that photo, your shirt says “Accountability is Love.” Could you please expand on that?
- If you could have a meal with anyone, from the present day or from the past, who would it be with and why did you pick this person?
- What kind of food would you be eating?
- Could you please name one thing on your bucket list that you have completed and one that still needs to be crossed off?
- If you were President of the United States, what kind of artwork would you hang up in the Oval Office?
- What would the title of your biography be?
- If I gave you a million dollars, what would you do with it? How about $100?
- If a movie was made about your life, what kind of music would be on the soundtrack?
- Last karaoke song at 2am joint?
- What’s a typical day like for you?
Additional Projects and Shout Outs:
- Any other projects that you’d like to promote? What other project have you been involved with that you’d like our audience to know about?
- Is there a person or group of people that has helped you along the way that you’d like to say thank you to?
Parting Words of Advice Questions:
- On our panel at Black Comix Day 2024, you said you wanted to motivate others to get on the ownership and get off the slaveship…would you like to maybe revisit that comment and how it can be food for thought for the young creators out there…especially ones from marginalized groups?
Follow Hotep:
Thank YOU:
Thank YOU for listening to the Hall H Show podcast!
And, thanks to my guest, Hotep. I’m definitely interested to see how far he can take the Black Lion and Cubs universe. Please consider backing his Kickstarter for the Amazing Ariyah anime short film – which ends on March 3, 2025.
As you know, we love putting the spotlight on independent pop culture creatives, like Hotep.
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Peace, cheers, and stay safe out there!
