Lion Forge Entertainment Announces Launch Date For Nigerian Superhero Cartoon, ‘Iyanu’

Source: Courtesy / Showmax

The entertainment company shared that “ Iyanu ” will launch in both the U.S. and across Africa in 2025. African audiences can catch the series on Showmax in 44 countries, while U.S. viewers can watch it on Cartoon Network and Max.

The series follows an orphan who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse. 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, known for hits like “The Umbrella Academy” and “Hellboy.”

The all-African voice cast is led by award-winner Serah Johnson as Iyanu. She is joined by 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 from “The Black Book,” which Wired described as “Nigeria’s first runaway Netflix hit.”

“Iyanu” is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, the Emmy-winning company behind the Oscar®-winning “Hair Love.”

“One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios was because I grew up watching superhero stories on DStv in Lagos, Nigeria,” says Okupe. “So it’s an understatement to say I’m delighted that Showmax will introduce Nigerian children to Iyanu, a superhero who looks and sounds like them.”

Lion Forge Entertainment Founder and CEO David Steward II adds, “Iyanu is a series that resonates with young audiences globally, but its heart and roots are in Africa, where Roye conceptualized and created it. We’re proud to announce a deal with Showmax to stream Iyanu in 44 African countries. We envision African children being inspired by a superhero world shaped around their own.”

Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice, comments, “As the largest producer of African content globally, MultiChoice is thrilled that African stories are being told largely by Africans. It’s time for African audiences to be among the first to see these stories. Stories about Africa should be told not just with Africans, but to Africans too.”

Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron; Marvel’s Agent Carter) served as the story editor for the Iyanu writers’ room, which also included Emmy winner Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins; Ada Twist, Scientist).

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 of Superprod.

Will you tune in next year? Comment below.