A young girl’s destiny hangs in the balance in Iyanu, a vibrant new animated series inspired by Nigerian culture and mythology. The series premiered April 5 on Cartoon Network and is streaming on Max.
“It has been a hero’s journey for Roye and the team to bring this ambitious and stunning series to Cartoon Network and Max,” says Michael Ouweleen, President of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. “This April, we all get to benefit from years of their effort and enter the super unique world they have created, filled with magic, mysterious enemies and divine powers.”
Iyanu is adapted from Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics. Okupe, who was born and raised in Nigeria, created, executive produced, and show-ran the series. Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the leading Black-owned animation studios in North America, produces the adaptation. The series features an all-African voice cast.
“To me, it’s a dream come true. Ever since I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, I have fallen in love with every single action-adventure series. I’m a geek,” says Okupe. “For me, it’s very satisfying to be at this moment where I can take inspiration from the stuff that I experienced growing up and integrate that with my culture and produce that for a show.”
Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, Iyanu follows a courageous orphan who discovers she has divine powers tied to a long-lost age of heroes. As she trains in ancient arts and studies her kingdom’s past, she must rise to meet a growing evil with the help of her friends Biyi and Toye, and a magical leopard companion, Ekun.
“Everyone’s seen a lot of kung fu and karate type stuff,” says Vincent Edwards, Supervising Director. “But no one’s ever really done animation that featured Capoeria authentically in a design sensibility that is also accurately reflective of the culture from which it derives.”
Blending action, fantasy, and educational themes rooted in Nigerian storytelling traditions, Iyanu brings new representation to family animation and offers young viewers a fresh perspective. “We’ve [had] Greek mythology, Roman mythology, Norse mythology, but not much from the continent,” says Executive Producer, Lion Forge Entertainment CEO and Founder David Steward II. “Being able to have that is extremely important. Not just for African Americans but it’s great for others as well. Everyone can learn something about Nigeria and Nigerian culture, and they’ll find a connection to that.”
Brandon Easton, Head Writer and Story Editor, developed Iyanu for the screen and led the writer’s room as the story editor on the show. “One thing I’ve found as a writer over the years is that the more specific a story becomes, the more universal it gets,” he says.
“Sometimes when people do African-American stories, and they get people who are not African-American to try to sound that way, it’s like, that’s not how people talk,” says Easton. “If you even look at the United States, Black New Yorkers don’t sound like Black people from Maryland and Black people from Maryland don’t sound like Black people from Georgia or Texas. I think there was a certain reality and necessity to have Nigerian voice actors, and it’s very important, and it’s obviously paid dividends so far.”
Fans of the graphic will notice similarities between the two series. “Our art director, Godwin Akpan, was the illustrator for the original graphic novel,” explains Edwards. “And, of course, he lives in Lagos, Nigeria. So that design sensibility is a really core component for the look of the show.”
Easton was committed to showing as much of Nigeria as possible, having authentic food and scenery illustrated for the new series. “There were so many things that were so specific to Nigerian culture, but the more you looked at it, you would see parallels from cultures all around the world,” he notes.
The first season of Iyanu will stream on Showmax in 44 African countries June 13. Partner ITVX will stream the series this summer in the U.K. and Ireland.
“Merchandise is coming,” promises Karama Horne, Lion Forge Entertainment Integrated Marketing Lead. The series debuted products at Toy Fair from Kidazzle, Brown Toy Box, and Resurrection Games.
“I want it to be everywhere and everything,” says Okupe. “Live action video games, more books, series spin-offs. I don’t have a shortage of stories and ideas. It’s important to focus on getting the first one right first, and it’s done well. That’s our focus now.”
Iyanu is out now. To learn more about Lion Forge Entertainment, visit lionforgeentertainment.com.
