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Iyanu
Genre
Created byRoye Okupe and Brandon Easton
Based on
Iyanu: Child of Wonder
by
  • Roye Okupe
  • &
  • Godwin Akpan
Developed byLion Forge Entertainment
ShowrunnerRoye Okupe
Written by
  • Brandon Easton
  • Kerri Grant
  • Roye Okupe
  • Ivory Floyd
  • Matt Wayne
Directed by
  • Roye Okupe
  • Dawud Anyabwile
  • Darnell Johnson
Voices of
Opening theme"You Are" (performed by Yemi Alade)[1]
Composers
  • Femi "Fem D" Agunbiade
  • Andrew "Dcember Moon" Johnson
  • "Kariz" Marcel Martin
  • Oladele "7g" Kiambu
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes10 (part 1)
26 (Int'l)[citation needed]
Production
Executive producers
  • David Steward II
  • Kirsten Newlands
  • Stephanie Sperber
  • Matt Heath
  • Roye Okupe
  • Erica Dupuis
  • Ryan Haidarian
  • Doug Schwalbe
ProducerKathy Page Cowan
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseApril 5, 2025 (2025-04-05) –
present

Iyanu is a fantasy action animated series created and executive produced by Lion Forge Entertainment and Roye Okupe, and co-created by Brandon Easton. It is based on Okupe's graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by his company YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics.[2][3] It premiered on Cartoon Network in the United States on April 5, 2025, followed by HBO Max on April 6.[4] The first season will have ten episodes on Cartoon Network and HBO Max. The theme song is sung by Yemi Alade.[5] On May 19, 2025, it was announced that Iyanu was renewed in the United States for a second season of ten episodes by Cartoon Network and HBO Max. It was announced that two animated feature films would also be released in 2025 and 2026 respectively.[6]

Iyanu takes place in a Yoruba-inspired world and follows the title character, a teenage orphan girl who discovers that she has power that has not been seen since the age of wonders. She joins with her friends Biyi and Toye, and they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she uncovers the truth about her past, her parents, and her destiny to save the world.

Premise

[edit]

A teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, lives in Yorubaland, a magical land, and triggers her magical powers by accident, joining two other teens to discover the reality of evil in her homeland, and learn about her past in the process.[7][8][9]

Cast

[edit]
  • Serah Johnson as Iyanu,[4] a young orphan girl who has mystic powers and is said to be "the chosen."
  • Okey Jude as Biyi,[10] the free-spirited and adventurous friend of Iyanu, who lives in the Riverland Settlement.
  • Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye,[10] the bookish friend of Iyanu, who is often bullied by local townspeople, and wants to use books to help people, rather than becoming a warrior, going against his father's expectations.
  • Adesua Etomi-Wellington[11] as Olori, an exile and the last Agoni, who Iyanu lives with, outside the walls of Elu, and is training her to hone her powers.
  • Blossom Chukwujekwu[11] as Kanfo, the father of Toye, and a General, who expects Toye to become a soldier.
  • Babajide Oyekunle as Ekun,[10] a magical black leopard with blue spots who befriends Biyi, Iyanu, and Toye on their journey.
  • Stella Damasus[11] as Mama Sewa, matriarch of the Riverlands Settlement, who attempts to convince Iyanu to fight for Yorubaland. Biyi is her adopted son.
  • Femi Sowooli[12][13] as Chancellor Nuro, a key royal advisor who does not want to change from the "old ways," and has a mysterious plan. He is also the brother of Olori.
  • Paul Utomi[14] as Oba Adeyinka, the King of Elu, who is swayed by Chancellor Nuro and sees finding Iyanu as the top priority.
  • Bukky Amoboye as Elder Ojuwa, a member of the Elu Mesi, who is concerned about Olori, and warns King Adeyinka about the worsening conditions in Elu's workers' district.
  • Femi "Bakes" Olugbade[13] as Uwa, a member of the Elu Mesi and foreign minister of Elu, who wants Elu's citizens to travel to other countries, rather than closing itself off, and make other reforms to help the citizens. He is also the brother of King Adeyinka.
  • Rashidat Fawehinmi Raji[13] as Omolola, who represents the workers in Eso's worker district and meets with Uwa in the fourth episode.
  • Eghosa Eboigbe as Zaza, a general who leads the People of the Deep and wants to find Kanfo at any cost.
  • Shaffy Bello[11] as Emi, who is also known as "The One Mother"
  • Ike Ononye[11] as Elder Alapani
  • Lord Frank[13] as The Fallen One
  • Tolulope Kolade[13] as Siju
  • Iheanetu Edith Chidinma[13] as Teju

Episodes

[edit]
No.Title [15]Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [15]
1"The Chosen"Dawud AnyabwileBrandon Easton and Roye OkupeApril 5, 2025 (2025-04-05)
Iyanu travels through the forest and comes upon a local town, within the outer wall surrounding the royal city, where her friend Toye lives. He defends her at first from local kids bullying her, but later relents when threatened. Iyanu runs away and her magic powers activate. Olori reminds her that traveling outside the forest is dangerous. There is debate within the royal court over whether to allow individuals to leave the town. It is revealed that the town's warriors have encountered a beast and that Olori is in exile. She later shows Iyanu how to cleanse animals of their corruption and stops her from asking about her past. Toye is bullied by kids in his hometown. Iyanu saves Toye and the other kids from the corrupted beast. Olori defends Iyanu from the guards from the local town, led by General Kanfu, and encourages Iyanu to escape, which she does, and barely evades the guards. She makes her way through another part of the wall, around Elu, and faces a leopard.
2"The Exiles"Darnell JohnsonBrandon EastonApril 5, 2025 (2025-04-05)
Iyanu runs from the leopard and uses her magic power to connect with it. This only lasts for a temporary time before it blasts her into the nearby river. She meets Biyi. Meanwhile, General Kanfu reports to the chancellor that they could not find Iyanu. Ojuwa asks why Olori was attacked. It is revealed that conditions in the city's worker district are becoming worse, with Chancellor Nuro dismissing these concerns. King Oba Adeyinka asserts that finding Iyanu is the top priority. Olori has been arrested. Elder Ojuwa speaks with her, as does Uwa, who is encouraged by Olori to search for Iyanu. Ojuwa and Uwa later make plans, while expressing their concern about Nuro. Iyanu and Biyi escape from wild dogs. Toye reluctantly joins his father's military force trying to find Iyanu. Biyi brings Iyanu to his village and she saves him from a corrupted rhino, using her magic power, then collapses.
3"The Eso of Eso"Esteban ValdezKerri GrantApril 5, 2025 (2025-04-05)
Toye travels with his father. Iyanu tries to explain her magic powers to Biyi, who brings her to the settlement by the river. While there, she meets the town matriarch, Mama Sewa, who shows her around the town, which is filled with exiles. Sewa hopes that Iyanu can help them return to an "age of wonder," but she is unsure. In an attempt to convince Iyanu otherwise, she shares some of the town's history, hoping to spark her "sense of duty" to help Yorubaland. Toye reads a story about the beginning of divine wars. Nuro moves through the fog, refusing help from anyone else. Iyanu fights Riverland guards in a fighting ring before collapsing. Toye talks to his father about his mother. Iyanu agrees to Sewa's suggestion that she stay in the settlement for a few days to help hone her magic powers, which are abilities to control non-animate objects and all plant life, and create divine constructs. She meditates and tries to reach inner peace. Olori tells Nuro he is destined to fail and reveals she is Nuro's sister.
4"The Arrival"Dawud AnyabwileKerri GrantApril 12, 2025 (2025-04-12)
Biyi explains about Iyanu, explaining her positive and negative qualities. Uwa speaks with Omolola, representative of workers in Eso's worker district, about changes he wants to make in the city. However, she refuses to go before the council, saying she is needed in the district. She later shows him around the district. Sewa tries to encourage Iyanu to not rush her efforts to save Olori, telling her to connect to the earth and all life. Iyanu feels the connection and is told this is the heart of her supernatural power, allowing her to free Yorubaland. Biyi talks to Iyanu and they get into an argument. Later, Biyi tells Iyanu that he knows what it is to be under so much pressure, and they bond. Toye is rescued by his father from a group of leopards who attack him and his father's military group. Corrupted snakes attack those in the workers' district. Nuro makes a contract with an ancient evil in order to gain power, then sees a vision of the past. The Riverland perimeter is breached and the military force threatens to take Iyanu away, until another force appears.
5"The People of the Deep"Darnell JohnsonIvory FloydApril 19, 2025 (2025-04-19)
A man leading a group calling themselves the "People of the Deep," comes to take Iyanu, saying she is "the chosen," demanding they either surrender her or everything will burn. Kanfo challenges this group's leader, Zaza, and they destroy the wagon that Toye is in. Biyu pulls Iyanu to safety, but she demands to go back to save the people of the Riverland despite what Mama Sowa says, and the mysterious leopard appears. Iyanu connects with the leopard, named Echo, with her actions convincing a skeptical Biyu. Olori bursts out of her cell and finds herself in Nuro's room. Later, Iyanu, Biyu, Echo, and Toye work together to fight the People of the Deep within Riverland. However, they are overwhelmed and have to flee, all riding on Echo. King Adeyinka is told of the issues in the workers' district, but Nuro convinces him it isn't a priority. Later, Iyanu, Biyu, and Toye find Mama Sowa, who says her goodbyes to all of them, before she passes away. Riverland is raided by the People of the Deep, with many of the dwellings lit on fire.
6"The Walk of Death"Esteban ValdezIvory FloydApril 26, 2025 (2025-04-26)
Nuro uncovers the hole in his room that Olori made during her escape and thinks back to a special scarf he gave her to "feel safe." He is told by the evil spirit that he needs absolute power, which he uses to take control of five individuals which will serve as his personal elite unit, with the voice telling him there is "no turning back" from this. Biyu, Iyanu, and Toye continue to flee on the back of Ekun. Toye warns them that according to his scrolls, they are about to enter an area where no one has escaped alive. Soon they are chased by a herd of corrupted animals. Olori is helped by Omolola, in the workers' district of Elu, and they see the beginnings of a workers rebellion, and she agrees to what Omolola has in mind so she can escape the city. Nuro begins a coup d'etat of Elu. Biyu, Iyanu, and Toye barely escape the animals, with Biyu and Iyanu fighting over Ekun getting hurt. The next morning, they are faced with the corrupted animals. Nuro follows what the evil spirit tells him.
7"The Betrayal"Dawud AnyabwileMatt WayneMay 3, 2025 (2025-05-03)
Nuro leaves the city as evil energy spills over the city walls and spreads throughout the city. Olori hides in the reeds with Kanfo, and they begin traveling together, in hopes of finding Toye and Iyanu. At the same time in a cave, Toye begins to think of an escape plan for him, Iyanu, and Biyu. Some time later, Biyu reveals he is the son of King Adeyinka. In a concurrent scene, King talks with Uwa, saying he has no royal right because he poisoned their uncle, and tells more of what happened, from his perspective, noting his thinking. Biyu notes how he avoided the corrupted animals and somehow he was found, and saved, by Mama Sowa. Iyanu, Biyu, and Toye work together, as part of "Team Chosen," as they ride on Ekun, and barely escape, as they begin to look for "the source." The people of the worker's district come to the King's Palace, demanding to be listened to, and not lied to. Nuro travels to a former oasis. The corrupted/controlled guards working for Nuro are about to fight the other guards, but Uwa tries to calm everyone down. Later, the corrupted animals called by Nuro prepare to break into the worker's district of Elu. Iyanu, Biyu, Toye, and Eku collapse in the desert, and someone finds them.
8"The Sacred"Darnell JohnsonMatt WayneMay 10, 2025 (2025-05-10)
Iyanu awakes to find herself, Biyi, Toye, and Ekun rescued by locals from the swamplands, and bring them to The Source Mountain, where they can meet the Guardians, and are guided inside by a group of priests. With support from her friends, Iyanu describes herself as "The Chosen," and is tasked with passing the three trials to prove that this is the case, with a flashback showing all the false wonders who came to the mountain before. Meanwhile, Chancellor Nuro, possessed by the Fallen One, mind controls the People of the Deep and their leader, so they will do his bidding. Iyanu goes through a dangerous obstacle course, testing her skills, so she can make her way through the mountain, and she succeeds, while using advice she got from Mama Sowa. Fighting breaks out in part of Elu with the mind-controlled guards, the corrupted animals come inside the city's outer walls, and Omolola gets concessions from the ruling council. Using her control of natural elements, she is able to get through the second trial. Kanfo and Olori meet Biyi, Toye, Iyanu, and Ekun, having tracked them there. Iyanu loses control off her powers when angrily confronting Olori, but decides to travel up the mountain to the Source, while riding Ekun. Nuro and his mind-controlled forces make their way to the Rinku Plains to find Iyanu.
9"The Source Part I"TBATBAMay 17, 2025 (2025-05-17)
Cursed animals begin to besiege Elu, beginning in the areas within the city, including the worker's district. Uwa promises that Nuro and King Adeyinka will be held accountable for their treachery, saying they need to put aside their differences, rallying the people who have gathered. Iyanu climbs the mountain, on the back of Ekun and has to get past impediments in her path, placed by the mountain itself, which are attempting to stop her because she did not pass the third trial. The sacred priests, Biyi, Toye, Olori, and Kanfo work to stop Nuro and his forces, who are trying to prevent Iyanu from lifting the curse upon Yorubaland, fighting them on a key bridge. Iyanu struggles, feeling she can't go forward, and Ekun saves her, but she falls down a crevice afterward. Biyu and Olori work together to destroy a key bridge, and causing them to fall into the river. Iyanu is able to make her way back to Ekun, and the mountain allows her to pass, and gives her passage to the mountain-peak where a woman greets her and calls Iyanu her daughter.
10"The Source Part II"TBATBAMay 24, 2025 (2025-05-24)

Production

[edit]

In July 2022, an adaption of the Iyanu: Child of Wonder graphic novel series by Okupe and Akpan[16][17] was announced by HBO Max and Cartoon Network.[7] It was further noted the series is "heavily influenced" by Nigeria's Yoruba people and will be overseen, and produced by Lion Forge Animation, doing business as Lion Forge Entertainment, a Black-owned animation studio.[2][18] The series is aimed at children ages 6 to 11.[19]

Executive Producers on the series include Lion Forge Entertainment founder Dave Steward II, company president Stephanie Sperber, series creator Roye Okupe, Matt Heath, Kirsten Newland, Erica Dupuis (Impact X), Ryan Haidarian (Forefront Media Group), and Doug Schwalbe (Superprod). Vincent Edwards serves as Supervising Director, with Saxton Moore as Co-Supervising Director. Brandon Easton, who adapted the graphic novel, is credited as Story Editor and also led the writers’ room. He co-created the series alongside Roye Okupe.[20]

Steward stated that the story's authenticity means everything to Lion Forge Animation, aligns with their mission, and said that "depth and layers of the Iyanu world" allows the studio to create and explore "a beautiful universe" on the screen.[21] In December 2022, ComicBook stated that Iyanu: Child of Wonder would "soon be coming" to HBO Max and Cartoon Network "as an animated series".[22]

In January 2023, Comic Book Resources noted that the series would be released in 2024, would "draw from Nigerian culture, music, and lore", and that Okupe would write and direct multiple episodes.[9] In an interview with the show's executive producers, David Steward II, said it had been "a great partnership" of working with Okupe, making sure his creative voice is heard, and authenticity of the series is present.[9]

In June 2023, it was announced that Lion Forge Entertainment was partnering with Black Women Animate Studios to recruit a "diverse pool of talent" for pre-production roles the series. It was also stated that the series will release on Cartoon Network and Max.[23] This was confirmed in October 2023, with reports that Lion Forge would introduce the series to global distributors at MIPCOM.[24]

In May 2024, Lion Forge Entertainment announced the initial Nigerian voice cast for its animated series, Iyanu, featuring Serah Johnson as Iyanu, Okey Jude as Biyi, Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Olori, Blossom Chukwujekwu as Kanfo, Shaffy Bello as Emi, Stella Damasus as Sewa, and Ike Ononye as Elder Alapani.[25]

In July 2024, Lion Forge secured a distribution deal with Showmax, planning to release Iyanu in 44 African countries starting June 13, 2025.[26][27] Later that month, at San Diego Comic-Con, Lion Forge hosted a panel titled "Crafting Iyanu: An Inside Look at Lion Forge's Animated Series," where the first series preview was shown.[28][29]

The series was "inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender", had an "all-African voice cast", and draws inspiration from "Nigerian culture, music, and mythology."[10][30] Following the series release, Nigerian singer Yemi Alade talked about the process of making music for the series while remaining authentic to "Nigerian culture and Yoruba mythology," with her opening song for the series, entitled "You Are," described as a "soaring anthem of identity" which echoed the "power of African storytelling through music."[1][31]

In August 2024, the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) featured an Iyanu-themed event including clips, cultural and educational activities.[32] In October 2024, an early trailer for Iyanu was shown at New York Comic Con."[33][34]

In February 2025, Cartoon Network aired an extended clip and trailer for the first time of Iyanu during a marathon of The Amazing World of Gumball, confirming the series premiere date of April 5, 2025 on Cartoon Network and April 6 on Max.[35] Later that month, ITVX announced it had acquired exclusive streaming rights for Iyanu in the United Kingdom, with non-exclusive rights for the Republic of Ireland.[36]

In April 2025, the Afro Animation Summit in Burbank, California, featured a screening of Iyanu and a discussion with Roye Okupe and members of the voice cast and the production team.[37] Later that month, City Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, hosted a community event attended by Lion Forge founder David Steward II, writer Kerri Grant, and voice actors Samuel Kugbiyi and Okey Jude.[38][39]

Prior to the series release, Okupe told Reuters that he wanted the series, like the graphic novel, to create a character which served as a positive role model for his daughter and other people across the world, allowing for her to be entertained and inspired by her culture and heritage. In an interview with Paste, he described the series as a "very faithful adaptation," but differs from the original graphic novel, noted the process of working with Brandon Easton and Godwin Akpan, described the show's message as focusing on what it means to be a hero and having empathy for those you disagree with. He also noted the incorporation of Capoeira and Dambe boxing skills into how Iyanu fights in the series and called for people to watch the series, saying that the number of people who watch it will determine whether the series will continue.[40][41] Steward told the St. Louis American that unlike Wakanda in Black Panther, Iyanu is "based on real culture – and in a real place," with the art, writers, and voice cast composed of Black people, adding that most times Black characters are shown in media, much of the decision not created by "people who look like what’s being portrayed on screen."[42]

In the United States, Iyanu premiered on Cartoon Network on April 5, 2025, and began streaming on Max the day after, with the series trailer released on February 17.[4][43]

Release

[edit]

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the series will be released on Showmax, across 44 countries, on June 13, 2025.[44][45] In the United Kingdom, and Ireland, the series will be released on ITVX sometime in the summer of 2025.[46][47]The series originally meant to have 15 episodes but on X Lion Forge Entertainment posted for episode 10 is the season one finale.[48]

After the series released, Comics Beat interviewed Brandon Easton, Vincent Edwards, and Samuel Kugbiyi about the series. Edwards said that those working on the series wanted to make sure the series was "top shelf quality stuff" while Easton and Kugbiyi noted their stories of joining the show's crew. Additionally, Easton described the challenges of deciding what to keep, and not keep, from the graphic novel, but noted that everyone was "on the same page" and there was collaboration between the writers, storyboarders, directors, voice cat, and others. He also argued that it wasn't an issue to incorporate anything from West Africa and Nigeria and incorporating it into the story, noting different filmmakers which used the "visual shorthand of emotion" and added it to their stories, asserting that the core question of Iyanu is who you are. Edwards further noted the efforts to add in "subtleties that aren’t always on the page of a script" through the characters and the importance of sticking with the rules of a fantasy world you create.[49]

Merchandising

[edit]

Iyanu established several merchandising agreements, beginning with Kidazzle, which was named master toy licensee in May 2024. Kidazzle intends to produce a range of dolls, action figures, playsets, and role-play items based on the series.[50] In October 2024, Brown Toy Box entered into a licensing partnership to create educational STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) kits inspired by Iyanu.[51] In February 2025, Resurrection Games partnered to develop a series of Iyanu-themed board and card games, including "Yorubaland: Wild Terrain," "Iyanu: Crossroads," and "Iyanu: Mark of the Chosen."[52]

Theme song

[edit]

Nigerian Afropop artist Yemi Alade performed the theme song featured in the opening Title sequence titled "You Are" for the animated superhero series Iyanu, produced by Lion Forge Entertainment and Alcon Sleeping Giant.[53] The full song was released on March 13, 2025, coinciding with Alade's birthday, and became available on major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.[54][55] The track was written by Michael Hodges, Gerald Trottman, Kayla Morrison, Ghian Wright, and Yemi Alade, and produced by Hodges. A lyric video premiered the same day on the Iyanu YouTube channel, followed by the release of an official visualizer video on April 11, 2025 via Alade's own YouTube channel, directed by Nigerian filmmaker Praise Onyeagwalam (also known as Pink).[56][57]

In April 2025, Alade promoted the series in New York City, appearing on ABC News Live with Linsey Davis, and on Good Night New York alongside Christal Young and Ryan Kristafer.[58] In her interviews, she emphasized the cultural and personal resonance of the series, calling attention to its significance for African audiences and young girls worldwide.[59]

Reception

[edit]

This series was positively received. Brandon Zachary of ScreenRant called the series a mix of Avatar the Last Airbender and Black Panther, complete with strong animation, imagery, and worldbuilding, and inclusion of Nigerian Yoruba "cultural touchstones" which could become an animated epic alongside Cartoon Network series like Adventure Time. Zachary also praised the series "engaging and colorful world," establishing Iyanu as a relatable and charming character, while building off classic character archetypes, comedy moments, having fluid animation, and said the series had a lot of promise.[60] Frantz Jerome of Black Nerd Problems said they were blown away by the series and its authenticity, praising it for "bringing Nigerian culture to the global mainstream stage", said the origin story is more similar to Spider-Man: Homecoming rather than Avatar the Last Airbender, and noted that the series has "touchpoints that make African culture accessible."[61]

US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine called the series "groundbreaking" and a "gripping adventure" which aims to "inspire the next generation."[45] Katherine Hill of Toybook described Iyanu as a "vibrant new animated series inspired by Nigerian culture and mythology" while blending together education, action, and fantasy, all of which are rooted in traditions of Nigerian storytelling.[47] Ashley Moulton on Common Sense Media said that while the series has "mild action and fight scenes" most violence happens from "magical laser beams used by supernatural characters" and noted that there are some "teen crushes, and...hostile and threatening language" without any curse words. Moulton further said that the series is fresh, fun, and twists normal "cartoon norms," with an animation style familiar to those who like ThunderCats or He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and said that although some episodes have dialogue which is "clunky" and a lot of backstory, the series is entertaining, and rated it 4 out 5 stars.[62]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Yemi Alade says creating music for series 'Iyanu' is 'about truly being yourself'". ABC News. April 14, 2025. Archived from the original on April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
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