Cartoon Network and Max released at San Diego Comic Con a first-look clip of the highly-anticipated series “Iyanu,” the epic superhero animated-series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology, showcasing for the first time a glimpse at the series set to captivate audiences. 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. The title is slated for release in the US on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025.
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 which featured some of the creative team, including Roye Okupe (EP/Creator/Director), Vincent Edwards (Supervising Director), Brandon Easton (Story Editor/Writer), Kerri Grant (Writer), Vincent Edwards (Supervising Director), as well as moderator/host Karama Horne (@theblerdgurl).
“Iyanu” is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, 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, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu 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. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.
Brandon Easton ("Transformers: War for Cybertron": Seige, Marvel’s Agent Carter) headed the writers' room, with Roye 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.
The voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu, a teenage heroine who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse threatening to destroy humanity. In Addition to Johnson, the “Iyanu” voice cast also includes Okey Jude (“Hotel Labamba,” “The Governor’s Daughter”) as Biyi, Iyanu’s carefree adventurer friend, Samuel Kugbiyi (“Tafiya Lafiya: The Journey”) as Iyanu’s bookworm friend Toye, Adesua Etomi-Wellington (“King of Boys,” “Gangs of Lagos”) voices Olori; Toye’s father Kanfo is voiced by Blossom Chukwujekwu (“Falling,” “Stolen Lives”); Stella Damasus (“Gone”) plays Sewa; Shaffy Bello (“The Score,” “Battleground”) voices Emi – The One Mother; and Ike Ononye (“Doc Martin,” “The Lovers”) is Elder Alapani.