The breakout first season of the animated series Iyanu will be available to stream on Showmax from Friday 13 June. Drawing on Nigerian culture, music, and mythology, Iyanu follows a teenage orphan who discovers her divine powers and her destiny to save the ancient kingdom of Yorubaland.
After its US launch in April 2025, Iyanu ranked as the #1 series on Cartoon Network and in the top 10 kids and family series on Max during its run, with Screenrant calling it “The Last Airbender and Black Panther hybrid you didn’t know you needed.” Cartoon Network and Max have already greenlit Season 2 and two linked feature films.
Produced by Oscar and Emmy winners Lion Forge Entertainment (Hair Love), the epic fantasy animation series is adapted from Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics, the powerhouse behind the likes of The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy comics.
“The support for our show has been nothing short of humbling – and because of that incredible response, we now get to bring the next chapter of Iyanu’s story to life,” says Okupe. Born and raised in Nigeria, he serves as creator, executive producer and showrunner on Iyanu. “I’m thrilled to continue expanding the world of Iyanu and the YouNeek YouNiverse, and to share this journey with audiences across the globe. This is just the beginning.”
Speaking about Iyanu’s African premiere on Showmax, Okupe adds, “One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios and created Iyanu is because I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria watching superhero stories on DStv. To now see Iyanu launching on Showmax across 44 African countries is truly a full-circle moment. I’m beyond thrilled that kids, adults, and families across the continent will get to see a superhero who looks, sounds, and feels like them. I can’t wait for audiences throughout Africa to experience the magic and wonder of Iyanu – a show that’s already capturing hearts around the world.”
Award winner Serah Johnson leads the all-African voice cast as Iyanu, alongside Okey Jude and Samuel Kugbiyi as her friends Biyi and Toye. Also listen out for 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 (The Black Book).
Nigerian Grammy nominee Yemi Alade sings the theme song. She says Iyanu “showcases the resilience, the beauty and the strength of our culture. Growing up as a kid, I always hoped that I would watch cartoons and animated movies like this … an animated series with a character that looks and sounds like me. Right now, it’s happening and I’m really happy to be part of it.”
Watch the trailer below.
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