Lion Forge Entertainment unveils the highly anticipated launch of Iyanu, an epic Nigerian superhero animated series, in the U.S. and across Africa in 2025. The series, created by Nigerian producer Roye Okupe of YouNeek Studios, will be available on Cartoon Network and Max in the U.S. and on Showmax in 44 African countries.
Iyanu follows the story of a young orphan who discovers newfound powers and embarks on a quest to break an ancient curse threatening her people. Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, the series is adapted from Okupe’s acclaimed graphic novel series, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by Dark Horse Comics (known for The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy).
Award-Winning Production Team and Voice Cast
The series boasts an impressive creative team:
Story Editor: Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron; Marvel’s Agent Carter)
Writers’ Room: Emmy winner Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins; Ada Twist, Scientist)
Executive Producers: David Steward II and Matt Heath (Lion Forge Entertainment), Erica Dupuis (Impact X Capital), Ryan Haidarian (Forefront Media Group), and Doug Schwalbe (Superprod)
The all-star African voice cast features:
Iyanu: Serah Johnson (award winner)
Additional Cast: Adesua Etomi-Wellington (AMAA winner, Vogue US cover star), Stella Damasus (three-time AMAA nominee), Blossom Chukwujekwu (multi-award winner), Shaffy Bello (The Black Book)
Showmax Partnership Expands Reach
Lion Forge Entertainment’s partnership with Showmax ensures the series reaches a wide audience across Africa. “We’re thrilled to introduce Nigerian children to Iyanu, a superhero who looks and sounds like them,” says Okupe.
This collaboration reflects Lion Forge Entertainment’s commitment to diverse voices. “Iyanu plays to young audiences everywhere, but its heart and roots are in Africa,” says Lion Forge CEO David Steward II. “We envision African children inspired by Iyanu and a superhero world shaped around their own culture.”
“African animation is thriving,” says Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice (Showmax co-owner). “It’s exciting to see African stories finally told by Africans, and for African audiences to see them first.”
