Featuring an all-Nigerian voice cast led by Serah Johnson, “Iyanu” makes its African debut on Showmax on June 13, 2025, following critical acclaim and commercial success in the United States.
“Iyanu” Animated Series Brings Nigerian Mythology to Showmax Across Africa
Nigerian culture and mythology take center stage with the arrival of “Iyanu,” an animated series premiering on Showmax across 44 African countries starting Friday, June 13, 2025.
The series features a star-studded Nigerian voice cast including Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Serah Johnson, Stella Damasus, and Shaffy Bello.
At the heart of the series is award-winning voice actor Serah Johnson, who brings the titular character Iyanu to life. She is joined by Okey Jude as Biyi, the carefree adventurer, and Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, the intelligent bookworm. The trio embarks on a magical journey through the kingdom of Yorubaland, uncovering divine powers and confronting an ancient evil.
Originally launched in April 2025 on Cartoon Network in the United States, “Iyanu” quickly rose to the top, ranking number one on Cartoon Network and securing a spot among the top 10 kids and family series on Max. Critics have lauded the series for its unique storytelling, with Screen Rant describing it as “The Last Airbender and Black Panther hybrid you didn’t know you needed,” blending African mythology with superhero adventure.
The series is adapted from Nigerian creator Roye Okupe’s acclaimed graphic novel, Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by Dark Horse Comics, renowned for titles such as The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy. Speaking on the African launch, Okupe expressed excitement about the series reaching new audiences:
“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 Africa is a full-circle moment,” Okupe said.
He added, “I’m thrilled that kids and families across the continent will see a superhero who looks, sounds, and feels like them. I can’t wait for African audiences to experience the magic of Iyanu, a show that’s already capturing hearts worldwide.”
Drawing deeply from Nigerian culture, music, and mythology, “Iyanu” follows the story of a brave young orphan who discovers her extraordinary powers during a time of great danger. Alongside her friends and a mystical leopard named Ekun, Iyanu embarks on a quest to save her community and unlock her true destiny.
The entire first season of “Iyanu” will be available for streaming on Showmax from June 13, 2025.