“Iyanu” Gets Second Season Renewal on Cartoon Network, Spin-Offs in Development

Cartoon Network has officially renewed the children’s animated series “Iyanu” for a second season.

In conjunction with HBO Max, the global cable channel will bring the Nigerian adventure series back to screens,this time with  bigger stakes and even more expansive storytelling.

This announcement follows the success of the first season, which was praised by parents and critics alike for its strong animation and accurate representation of historic Yoruba culture.

According to Variety, “Iyanu” is the No. 1 series among children aged 2–12 on Cartoon Network. It also ranks among the top ten Kids-and-Family series on HBO Max.

The first season premiered on April 5, 2025, and aired for 10 episodes. The first three episodes aired simultaneously on Cartoon Network and HBO Max, and the premiere episode was later made available for streaming on YouTube. The second season is billed for an additional 10 episodes and slated for a 2026 release.

In addition to the second season, two animated features set in the “Iyanu” universe are in the works at the networks. One is scheduled for release later this year, while the second is set to premiere in 2026.

Based on the graphic novel by Nigerian author and filmmaker Roye Okupe (who also serves as the showrunner), “Iyanu” follows the titular character—a teenage orphan girl who discovers that she is the child prophesied to save Yorubaland from an inevitable evil. Together with her newfound friends, Iyanu harnesses her powers and uncovers the rich history of her people.

Okupe directs the series alongside Darnell Johnson and Dawud Anyabwile. The powerhouse executive production team includes Okupe himself, David Steward II, Kristen Newlands, Stephanie Sperber, Matt Heath, Erica Dupuis, Ryan Haidarian, and Doug Schwalbe.

Grammy-nominated singer Yemi Alade performs the theme song, “You Are,” and it features an exceptional Nigerian voice cast including Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Stella Damasus, and Shaffy Bello.

For African audiences, the first season was available for streaming on Showmax. However, it remains unclear whether the second season will follow the same distribution model.