Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Zimbabwe’s own Bill Masuku, an award-winning artist and writer, stands out as a leading light of creativity and innovation across the dynamic landscapes of comic books, animation, and gaming. His work, spanning from Disney Hyperion’s Runeless to his acclaimed self-published titles like Captain South Africa and Tokoloshe Hunters, is truly making waves on the global stage.
Masuku’s artistic journey stands as clear evidence of his passion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to his craft. Born and raised in Harare, Masuku’s love affair with art began with anime on local television.
“Anime lit the fire in me to make sparks as I sketched and sprawled on random papers,” he recalls.
With no access to comic books, Masuku began creating his own, letting his imagination run wild. This early exposure to anime has left a lasting imprint on his work, and today, he is part of a growing community of anime enthusiasts in Zimbabwe.
In recent years, anime has gained significant traction in Zimbabwe, with events such as the Otaku Konnect Anime Festival in Harare and Anime Day in Bulawayo drawing large crowds. Masuku has been at the forefront of this movement, recently becoming Zimbabwe’s first eSports commentator alongside the festival’s founder, Archie Moyo.
“I’m excited to be part of this growing community. Anime has been a huge influence on my work, and I’m thrilled to see more people in Zimbabwe discovering its magic,” he said.
Masuku’s cultural heritage plays a pivotal role in shaping his work.
“I’m excited for people to read Runeless, and with Captain South Africa, I had to figure out what it meant to be an African superhero. I had to be an ace, joker, king, and jack of all trades in figuring out what that meant for a medium of fiction so new for us.”
His work is a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, reflecting Africa’s rich cultural diversity. From being featured in Forbes Africa Under-30 to being selected for the Creation Africa FOCUS in France, Masuku’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. He credits his invitation to Comic Con Africa as a defining moment in his journey.
“It was something I had dreamed of being 20 years away. Suddenly, 20 years became 20 weeks to get ready. For the first time in my life, it didn’t matter . . . this wasn’t a group of my friends who would be understanding that electricity goes and the work is unfinished — this was the Comic Con seeing a value that I didn’t yet see in myself.”
Masuku’s creativity knows no bounds, spanning comic books, board games, and eSports commentary.
“Irritation drives me. Irritation that we don’t already have a lot of my favourite things that feel almost too easy to do.”
He has unveiled the prototype of his new board game, promising an immersive experience.
“If animation and comics are my first love, then gaming is my side chick. I’m a storyteller by both passion and profession, and there’s no greater storytelling than one that involves a community,” he said.
Despite facing challenges — including the mindset of generations who have not been afforded the luxury to dream beyond survival — Masuku remains hopeful.
“My biggest hurdle is, and might forever be, the mindset of the generations who don’t get to dream bigger than survival. I wish the pipelines from art institutions to creative agencies were stronger, and it’s a problem I can’t fix alone,” he said.
Set to take a break, Masuku says he looks forward to recharging and refocusing his creative energy.
“When I come back, I will be focused on more events from Otaku Konnect centred on anime, gaming, and Japanese pop culture. A Tsoro comic and short animation, a card game and comic called Mhuk.ai to depict a world where people’s personal AI have taken beast-like form, and online classes where I’ll be teaching digital art and everything I’ve learned from the world of storytelling.”
— Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
