Epic Nigerian Superhero Animation ‘Iyanu’ Set to Captivate Global Audiences
Lion Forge Entertainment has announced the upcoming debut of “Iyanu,” an epic Nigerian superhero animated series created by Roye Okupe. This highly anticipated series will launch in 2025, captivating audiences both in the U.S. and across Africa. Showmax, a leading streaming service, will make “Iyanu” available in 44 African countries, while U.S. viewers can catch the series on Cartoon Network and Max. This marks a significant milestone in African storytelling, bringing the rich culture of Nigeria to the global stage.
“Iyanu” is set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, where an orphaned girl must discover the truth behind her newly found powers to save her people from an ancient curse. The series is adapted from Roye Okupe’s popular graphic novel, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by Dark Horse Comics, a renowned publisher known for hit titles like The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy. The animation is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, an Emmy-winning company famous for its work on the Oscar®-winning short film Hair Love.
The all-African voice cast is led by Serah Johnson, who stars as Iyanu. The cast also includes 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, known for her role in *The Black Book*, described by Wired as “Nigeria’s first runaway Netflix hit.”
Roye Okupe, the visionary behind *Iyanu*, shared his excitement about the series, emphasizing its cultural significance. “One of the reasons I started YouNeek Studios was because I grew up watching superhero stories on DStv in Lagos, Nigeria,” Okupe said. “It’s a dream come true that Showmax will introduce Nigerian children to Iyanu, a superhero who looks and sounds like them.”
David Steward II, the Founder and CEO of Lion Forge Entertainment, also expressed pride in the project. He highlighted that while *Iyanu* resonates with young audiences worldwide, its heart and origins are deeply rooted in Africa, where it was conceptualized and brought to life by Okupe. “We are thrilled to partner with Showmax to stream *Iyanu* in 44 countries across Africa. We hope this story inspires African children and immerses them in a superhero world shaped around their own culture,” Steward said.
Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa at MultiChoice, parent company of Showmax Africa, echoed this enthusiasm. She emphasized the growing recognition of African animation on both local and international stages. “This is a pivotal moment for African storytelling, as we bring stories like *Iyanu* to life for African audiences to experience first,” Dr. Tejumola stated. “As the largest producers of African content globally, MultiChoice is proud to bring this remarkable story that weaves the magic of Nigerian culture with great entertainment to our customers on Showmax across Africa.”
