Iyanu Comes To Cartoon Network And Max April 5

5 Comments | Animation, cartoon network, Dark Horse, iyanu, max | By Peter Paltridge | February 18, 2025 | 2 minutes of reading

Miracle of miracles, something will be playing on Cartoon Network soon that isn’t a rerun from ten years ago. It’s Iyanu, a fresh new action series from YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics, publishers of the graphic novel by Roye Okupe the show is based around.

The name of the series belongs to a brave young orphan living in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, where she happens to be the most magical of all. Others might dream of being the Chosen, but Iyanu sees it as nothing but a burden….until a powerful threat ovetakes the city and Iyanu realizes only she can save it. Fortunately she doesn’t have to do this alone — in absence of parents, she has her friends Biyi and Toye, plus a magical leopard named Ekun. Iyanu is determined to save Yorubaland one episode at a time.

The show’s voice cast includes Serah Johnson as Iyanu; 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.

“It has been a hero’s journey for Roye and the team to bring this ambitious and stunning series to Cartoon Network and Max,” said Michael Ouweleen, President of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. “This April, we all get to benefit from years of their effort and enter the super unique world they have created, filled with magic, mysterious enemies and divine powers.”

“We’ve witnessed the dedication and heart that Roye Okupe and our entire team have poured into this series, and we’re all excited to see it premiere on Cartoon Network and Max this April,” added Lion Forge Entertainment CEO and Founder David Steward II. “Iyanu represents a major leap forward in our commitment to telling culturally rich stories that resonate with audiences around the globe and we’re confident audiences will share in our excitement.”

Iyanu will premiere on Cartoon Network on Sunday, April 5, followed by its Max debut the following day. Elsewhere, the series will be available across 44 African countries on streaming partner Showmax in June, and streamed on ITVX in the UK and Ireland later this summer.

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Destiny

Member

623 messages 28 likes

#1 Feb 19, 2025

As a Black woman, I'm much more interested in seeing content like Iyanu than yet another reimagining of a classic fairytale with a race-swapped lead. Don't get me wrong, representation is important, but I crave stories that are genuinely for me, rooted in my cultures and experiences, not just hand-me-down narratives from a predominantly white perspective. Iyanu feels like it has the potential to be something truly special, an African-centered adventure in the vein of, say, The Last Airbender – a rich world with its own mythology and heroes. I'm excited to see a story that celebrates African culture and gives young Black viewers a chance to see themselves reflected in a powerful and positive light. This feels authentic, not performative, and that makes all the difference.

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RedStateGal76

Here's looking at you, kid.

92 messages 8 likes

#2 Feb 19, 2025

I'm definitely curious about Iyanu. The premise sounds interesting, and it's great to see more diverse stories in animation. I'm always open to discovering new animated series, and the focus on African mythology is a refreshing change. While I'm trying not to get too hyped up before seeing it, I'm optimistic. I'll definitely be tuning in for the first episode. I want to see how they handle the story, the animation, and the cultural elements. Hopefully, it lives up to the potential I see. I'm particularly interested in the world-building and the character dynamics. If the first episode grabs me, I'll be hooked.

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CafeCobbledStreets

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583 messages 21 likes

#3 Feb 19, 2025

Okay, so, I just peeped the trailer for Iyanu, and the art style? Seriously impressive. Like, I'm getting some real cool vibes from it. It's got this vibrant, almost painterly quality in some shots, but then it's also super dynamic and action-packed in others. The character designs are really distinct too, I love the way they've incorporated some traditional African patterns and clothing styles. It doesn't look like your typical cookie-cutter cartoon, that's for sure. I'm definitely curious to see how the animation holds up in the full series, but if the trailer is anything to go by, I think we're in for a visual treat.

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Maw_Marcello

Member

298 messages 16 likes

#4 Feb 19, 2025

I'm excited to see something new! Honestly, I'm a bit tired of all the reboots and remakes. Iyanu looks like a fresh take, and I'm always interested in stories that explore different cultures. The fact that it's based on a graphic novel is a good sign – usually means there's a solid story there. I'm especially intrigued by the magical elements and the setting in Yorubaland. It'll be interesting to see how they bring that world to life. I'm hoping it's a good adventure story with some cool characters. I'll definitely be checking it out.

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mbozzo

Member

238 messages 1 like

#5 Feb 19, 2025

Iyanu definitely has my attention. The visuals look great, and the premise is interesting. I'm hoping they focus on telling a really good story, though. Honestly, that's the most important thing for me. I'm a little tired of shows that seem more interested in pushing a message than in entertaining. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for positive representation and diverse stories, but at the end of the day, I just want a show that's well-written and engaging. I'm hoping Iyanu delivers on that front. If they can balance the cultural elements with a compelling plot and interesting characters, I think it could be a real hit. I'll be tuning in to see if they pull it off.

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