Epic Nigerian Superhero Animation ‘Iyanu’ Set For The Screen  

Epic Nigerian superhero animation Iyanu has been announced for the screen. Iyanu is produced by Emmy-winning company behind Oscar-winning project, Hair Love, Lion Forge Entertainment.

Award-winner Serah Johnson leads the all-African voice cast as Iyanu, alongside African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) winner Adesua Etomi-Wellington, three-time AMAA nominee Stella Damasus, multi-award-winner Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Shaffy Bello from The Black Book.

Iyanu follows the story of a girl passionate about saving her people from an ancient curse. To do so, an orphan must uncover the mystery behind her newfound power.

Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, the animated series is adapted from Okupe’s popular graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by Dark Horse Comics, the powerhouse behind the likes of the Umbrella Academy and Hellboy comics.

Lion Forge Entertainment announced that Iyanu, a Roye Okupe’s epic Nigerian superhero animated series, will be launched in both the U.S. and across Africa in 2025. The series will be available on Showmax in 44 African countries, while U.S. viewers can watch it on Cartoon Network and Max.

READ ALSO: “Iyanu: Child of Wonder” Approved by HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Speaking on the bproject, Okupe said: “One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios was because I literally grew up watching superhero stories on DStv in Nigeria. 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, said: “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.”

CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice, Nomsa Philiso, said: “It’s an exciting time for African animation, which is winning many of the world’s biggest prizes. “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.”