'Iyanu' Coming To US and Africa in 2025

 

African animation is poised to explode. Both in terms of animation produced on the continent and with collaborations with creatives overseas, we're seeing more than ever. One production we've been following since it was announced is Iyanu. Created by Roye Okupe, founder of YouNeek Studios, and published by Dark Horse Comics, the series is being adapted by US-based studio Lion Forge Entertainment, producers of the Oscar-winning short Hair Love.

The series is described as an epic Nigerian super-hero series and is produced in association with Cartoon Network and Max, where it will be available to stream to fans in the United States. Lion Forge have also announced this week that the series will also stream to 44 countries across Africa via the Showmax streaming service.

Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, the series follows a young heroine who finds herself with a newfound super-power. Not only does she have to uncover the mystery behind her powers, but she also has to save her people from a mysterious curse. The series is adapted from the graphic novel series of the same name.

The All-African voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu herself, alongside African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) winner and Vogue US cover star Adesua Etomi-Wellington, three-time AMAA nominee Stella Damasus, multi-award-winner Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Shaffy Bello. 

The creators are beyond thrilled that the series will be directly reaching African children. "One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios was because I literally grew up watching superhero stories on DStv in Lagos, Nigeria," says Okupe. "So it would be an understatement to say that I’m delighted that Showmax will be introducing Nigerian children to Iyanu, a superhero who looks and sounds like them."

Lion Forge Entertainment Founder and CEO David Steward II says, "Iyanu is a series that plays to young audiences everywhere in the world, but its heart and roots are in Africa, where it was conceptualised and created by Roye. This is why we’re so proud to announce a deal with Showmax to stream Iyanu in 44 countries throughout Africa. We envision African children being inspired by Iyanu - and a superhero world shaped around their own."

"It’s an exciting time for African animation, which is winning many of the world’s biggest prizes," says Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice, which owns Showmax with Comcast’s NBCUniversal. "As the largest producer of African content globally, MultiChoice is delighted that African stories are finally being told largely by Africans, but it’s also time for African audiences to be among the first to see African stories, as a common courtesy. Even today, an Oscar winning film like Nowhere in Africa is available, well, nowhere in Africa. There are numerous examples like that but stories about Africa should be told not just with Africans, but to Africans too.”

Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron; Marvel’s Agent Carter)  headed up the Iyanu writer's room, which also featured Emmy-winner  Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins; Ada Twist, Scientist). Other credited writers include Vincent Edwards, Saxton Moore, Dawud Anyabwile, Darnell Johnson and Esteban Valdez.

The series will be executive-produced by 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 of Superprod.

Iyanu will be released on Cartoon Network and Max in the United States and across Africa on Showmax during 2025.