Iyanu is set to premiere on Cartoon Network on the 5th of April, 2025, with a subsequent streaming release on Max on the 6th of April. African audiences are not to be left behind, as the series will land on Showmax on the 13th of June.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
The wait is almost over for fans of African mythology and animation as Iyanu, the highly anticipated animated series, prepares for its global rollout, with an exciting new trailer now released.
The animated series is inspired by Yoruba mythology and is set in the mystical kingdom of Yorubaland, where Iyanu, a teenage orphan girl with no recollection of her past, discovers she has divine powers that rival those of the ancient deities. Iyanu longs for a normal life, but when a dark force threatens her homeland, she sets out to master her abilities and save the kingdom, alongside her companions Biyi, Toye, and a magical leopard, Ekun.
Iyanu is an adaptation of Roye Okupe’s graphic fantasy novel, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics. YouNeek Studios is a Nigerian animation studio that creates stories inspired by African history, culture and mythology and is popular for the acclaimed animated short, Malika: Warrior Queen (2019), while Dark Horse Comics is a leading American comics publisher known for comics such as The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy.
A Cartoon Network and HBO collaboration, Iyanu is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, a Black-owned North American animation studio. Okupe is credited as the creator and showrunner as well as an executive producer on the series, with multiple episodes written and directed by him.
It will be recalled that Afrocritik previously reported on the announcement of the series and the unveiling of the series’ all-African voice cast. With a stellar, predominantly Nigerian cast, including Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Stella Damasus, Shaffy Bello, Ike Ononye, Lord Frank, Paul Utomi, and Eghosa Eboigbe, Iyanu promises to bring Okupe’s vibrant characters to life with authenticity.
The series marks a defining moment for African animation and African filmmaking as a whole, in light of the investment of global studios in not only an African story, but also in African actors, filmmakers and audiences.
Iyanu is set to premiere on Cartoon Network on the 5th of April, 2025, with a subsequent streaming release on Max on the 6th of April. African audiences are not to be left behind, as the series will land on Showmax on the 13th of June. The series is also set to stream on ITVX at an unannounced date for audiences in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.