Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Following the breakout success of 'Iyanu: Child of Wonder', I recently caught up once again with Nigerian creator Roye Okupe, this time to dive into the franchise's newest developments: Season 2 of the animated series and the highly anticipated animated prequel film, 'Iyanu: The Age of Wonders'.
Produced by Lion Forge Entertainment and rooted in Okupe’s best-selling graphic novels, 'Iyanu' has quickly evolved into a groundbreaking franchise. Fusing Yoruba mythology with thrilling superhero storytelling, the franchise continues to set new benchmarks for cultural authenticity, compelling narratives, and the power of African-led animation. The original series follows Iyanu, a young girl in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, as she discovers her divine powers and steps into her destiny. Now, the story goes even deeper with 'The Age of Wonders'.
Premiering August 30, 2025, on Cartoon Network and August 31, 2025, on HBO Max, 'Iyanu: The Age of Wonders' is set 500 years before the events of the original series. The animated prequel film follows young warriors Dara and Ishe, Iyanu’s parents, as they face off against Meje, the embodiment of the seven deadly sins, with aid from the mythical Divine Ones. The voice cast features Nigerian stars Shaffy Bello, Babajide Oyekunle, Ike Ononye, Sisan Victor-Woko, Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, and Adesua Etomi-Wellington.
The film’s debut also comes with a special early screening event during the Pan African Film Festival’s ArtFEST (PAFF ArtFEST), running August 21–24, 2025, at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. This annual celebration of art and culture showcases African and diaspora creativity through visual art, music, and storytelling. Attracting over 100,000 visitors each year, PAFF ArtFEST is sponsored in part by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
With Season 2 of 'Iyanu' on the horizon and 'The Age of Wonders' expanding the universe even further, Okupe and his team at YouNeek Studios continue to blaze trails for African stories in global animation. Our conversation explored how these new chapters build on the rich foundation of the original books, the deeper dive into Yoruba mythology, and what fans can expect as this beloved franchise grows.
Pan African Film Festival’s ArtFEST (PAFF ArtFEST) runs from August 21–24, 2025 at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw + XD, 4020 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
Following the film, there will be a Q&A with the creative team behind both the series and the film, including:
Roye Okupe – IYANU Series Creator / Executive Producer / Showrunner Iyanu: The Age of Wonders movie Director and Co-writer.
Brandon Easton – IYANU series Story Editor. IYANU: The Age of Wonders movie Co-writer of.
Vincent Edwards – Supervising Director
Karama Horne – Host / Lion forge Entertainment Integrated Marketing Lead
Event Highlights:
11:30 AM - HOW CARTOONS ARE MADE: THE MAGIC BEHIND IYANU
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Community Room
Community Room - Suite M, Level One (near Southern Girl Desserts)
3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles (inside Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza)
Los Angeles, CA
1:00 PM - "IYANU: THE AGE OF WONDERS" PREMIERE SCREENING
Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw + XD
4020 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles, CA
3:00 PM - "IYANU: CHILD OF WONDER" BOOK SIGNING WITH ROYE OKUPE
Malik Books
3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles (inside Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza - Second Floor)
#royeokupe #brandoneaston #iyanu #animation #panafrican #paffnow #cartoonnetwork #interview #fanboynation
Following the breakout success of 'Iyanu: Child of Wonder', I recently caught up once again with Nigerian creator Roye Okupe, this time to dive into the franchise's newest developments: Season 2 of the animated series and the highly anticipated animated prequel film, 'Iyanu: The Age of Wonders'.
Produced by Lion Forge Entertainment and rooted in Okupe’s best-selling graphic novels, 'Iyanu' has quickly evolved into a groundbreaking franchise. Fusing Yoruba mythology with thrilling superhero storytelling, the franchise continues to set new benchmarks for cultural authenticity, compelling narratives, and the power of African-led animation. The original series follows Iyanu, a young girl in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, as she discovers her divine powers and steps into her destiny. Now, the story goes even deeper with 'The Age of Wonders'.
Premiering August 30, 2025, on Cartoon Network and August 31, 2025, on HBO Max, 'Iyanu: The Age of Wonders' is set 500 years before the events of the original series. The animated prequel film follows young warriors Dara and Ishe, Iyanu’s parents, as they face off against Meje, the embodiment of the seven deadly sins, with aid from the mythical Divine Ones. The voice cast features Nigerian stars Shaffy Bello, Babajide Oyekunle, Ike Ononye, Sisan Victor-Woko, Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, and Adesua Etomi-Wellington.
The film’s debut also comes with a special early screening event during the Pan African Film Festival’s ArtFEST (PAFF ArtFEST), running August 21–24, 2025, at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. This annual celebration of art and culture showcases African and diaspora creativity through visual art, music, and storytelling. Attracting over 100,000 visitors each year, PAFF ArtFEST is sponsored in part by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
With Season 2 of 'Iyanu' on the horizon and 'The Age of Wonders' expanding the universe even further, Okupe and his team at YouNeek Studios continue to blaze trails for African stories in global animation. Our conversation explored how these new chapters build on the rich foundation of the original books, the deeper dive into Yoruba mythology, and what fans can expect as this beloved franchise grows.
Pan African Film Festival’s ArtFEST (PAFF ArtFEST) runs from August 21–24, 2025 at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw + XD, 4020 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
Following the film, there will be a Q&A with the creative team behind both the series and the film, including:
Roye Okupe – IYANU Series Creator / Executive Producer / Showrunner Iyanu: The Age of Wonders movie Director and Co-writer.
Brandon Easton – IYANU series Story Editor. IYANU: The Age of Wonders movie Co-writer of.
Vincent Edwards – Supervising Director
Karama Horne – Host / Lion forge Entertainment Integrated Marketing Lead
Event Highlights:
11:30 AM - HOW CARTOONS ARE MADE: THE MAGIC BEHIND IYANU
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Community Room
Community Room - Suite M, Level One (near Southern Girl Desserts)
3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles (inside Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza)
Los Angeles, CA
1:00 PM - "IYANU: THE AGE OF WONDERS" PREMIERE SCREENING
Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw + XD
4020 Marlton Ave., Los Angeles, CA
3:00 PM - "IYANU: CHILD OF WONDER" BOOK SIGNING WITH ROYE OKUPE
Malik Books
3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Los Angeles (inside Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza - Second Floor)
#royeokupe #brandoneaston #iyanu #animation #panafrican #paffnow #cartoonnetwork #interview #fanboynation
