This past weekend, visitors to Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) got a first look at Iyanu, the forthcoming animated superhero series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology.
During the panel Crafting Iyanu: An Inside Look at Lion Forge Entertainment‘s Animated Series, moderator Karama Horne was joined by members of the creative team, including series creator/director/executive producer Roye Okupe, Vincent Edwards (supervising director), Brandon Easton (story editor/writer), and Kerri Grant (writer).
In addition to sharing a sneak preview of the series ahead of next year’s debut on Cartoon Network and Max, the team also offered a look at early prototypes from the Iyanu toy line, currently in development by Kidazzle, the new company founded by industry vets Steve Rosenthal, Don Robbins, and Jeff Jones.
Lion Forge and Kidazzle shared a few exclusive photos from the panel with The Toy Book, each featuring one-of-a-kind concepts inspired by the series.
According to the official synopsis, “Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.”
Kidazzle’s collaboration with Lion Forge will result in a wide range of toys based on Iyanu, including action figures, playsets, dolls, role-play items, and more.
This collaboration [with Kidazzle] represents a significant step in bringing the vibrant world of Yorubaland directly to kids through innovative and diverse toy collections. With Kidazzle's esteemed team of industry veterans at the helm, we are confident that ‘Iyanu’ will captivate audiences both on-screen and off, inspiring imaginations and fostering creativity.”
Kidazzle and Lion Forge plan to showcase the toy concepts on August 3 at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF). Click here for details on the special activation.
Iyanu is based on the Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder.
In addition to its U.S. debut on Cartoon Network and Max, Iyanu will stream on Showmax across 44 African countries beginning in 2025.
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