Nigerian filmmaker Roye Okupe’s desire to create a positive role model for his daughter led to the creation of “Iyanu: Child of Wonder,” an animated television series rooted in Nigerian mythology. The show, a love letter to his now four-year-old daughter, aims to inspire children worldwide through its rich cultural heritage.
“Before she was born, I had the thought in my head that if I eventually had a baby girl, ‘what is a show that I would want to watch on TV, that she could both be entertained by, but at the same time, inspired by her heritage and her culture?’” Okupe shared with Reuters. “And that was one of the things that pushed me to create this.”
“Iyanu,” an original production from Black-owned studio Lion Forge Animation, will premiere on Cartoon Network on Saturday, followed by a release on Max on Sunday. The series features an all-Nigerian voice cast and introduces audiences to a world inspired by the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria.
Based on Okupe and artist Godwin Akpan’s graphic novel, the children’s superhero series follows Iyanu, a teenage orphan who discovers she possesses extraordinary powers that will help her combat evil forces threatening her homeland.
For Lion Forge CEO Dave Steward II, the series is a landmark moment for African content in global media. “This is kind of one of the first times you’re seeing content coming out with African mythology,” Steward said. “It’s not common to see this level of African cultural specificity in mainstream entertainment.”
While shows and films often draw from Roman, Norse, and Greek mythologies, “Iyanu” offers something new, showcasing African stories and legends. Sam Kugbiyi, who voices the character Toye, expressed the significance of this cultural milestone: “We’ve had Black representation in entertainment, in cartoons as well, but to have it so specific, it’s amazing. It’s a beautiful thing to see. This is historic, in my opinion.”