The series, created by award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Roye Okupe and produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, releases in the U.S. on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025.
Cartoon Network and Max have released a first-look clip of the highly anticipated series Iyanu, the epic superhero animated series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology. The clip was exclusively revealed during the “Crafting IYANU: An Inside Look at Lion Forge Entertainment's Animated Series” panel at San Diego Comic Con.
Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which is based on Nigerian culture, music, and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows the eponymous teenage orphan girl, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers and joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland.
The voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu, who is joined by Okey Jude (Hotel Labamba, The Governor’s Daughter) as Biyi; Samuel Kugbiyi (Tafiya Lafiya: The Journey) as Toye; Adesua Etomi-Wellington (King of Boys, Gangs of Lagos) as Olori; Blossom Chukwujekwu (Falling, Stolen Lives) as Toye’s father Kanfo; Stella Damasus (Gone) as Sewa; Shaffy Bello (The Score, Battleground) as Emi, The One Mother; and Ike Ononye (Doc Martin, The Lovers) as Elder Alapani.
Check out the exclusive first clip now:
A Lion Forge Entertainment production, Iyanu is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ popular graphic novel series “Iyanu: Child of Wonder” by award-winning Nigerian creator and filmmaker Roye Okupe.
Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron: Seige, Marvel’s Agent Carter) headed the writers' room, with Okupe serving as the executive producer, writer, and director on multiple episodes. The show’s executive producers are David Steward II and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group, and Doug Schwalbe.
Iyanu is slated to release in the U.S. on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025.
Source: Cartoon Network
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
