Cartoon Network and Max have dropped the first trailer for the upcoming Nigerian superhero series Iyanu. The trailer was released today during the show’s panel at New York Comic Con. Iyanu will premiere on Cartoon Network and Max in Spring 2025.
The trailer opens with a voiceover: “It was foretold by our ancestors that in times of great conflict there will be the Chosen, who will rise to restore harmony to the people and creatures of Yorubaland.”
The video then segues to a lush, vibrant landscape, where the main characters, Iyanu and Biyi, find themselves in a heart-pounding moment of peril when tranquility is shattered by the thunderous charge of a wild rhino, a powerful symbol of nature’s raw force. Then, in a stunning display of courage and intuition, Iyanu channels the ancestral wisdom of her heritage, stopping the rhino in its tracks and unveiling her true nature as the chosen one.
The groundbreaking series is adapted from Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ popular graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and filmmaker Roye Okupe. It is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment with the backing of Cartoon Network and Max.
Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.
The all-Nigerian voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu, along with Okey Jude as Biyi, Iyanu’s carefree adventurer friend; Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, Iyanu’s bookworm companion; Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Olori; Blossom Chukwujekwu as Kanfo, Toye’s father; Stella Damasus as Sewa; Shaffy Bello as Emi – The One Mother and Ike Ononye as Elder Alapani.
Brandon Easton (Transformers: War For Cybertron: Seige, Marvel’s Agent Carter), serves as showrunner, Roye Okupe serves as the executive producer, writer, and director on multiple episodes. Other executive producers include 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.
