Cartoon Network and Max returned this past weekend to San Diego Comic-Con with Iyanu, the epic animated superhero series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology—this time unveiling for the first time the official trailer, poster, and release date for its upcoming prequel film Iyanu: The Age of Wonders.

A Lion Forge Entertainment production, Iyanu is an adaptation of the popular graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and producer Roye Okupe, brought to life through magical storytelling and breathtaking visuals.

Created by Okupe and produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, Iyanu premiered in April on Cartoon Network and is now streaming in full on HBO Max. The series blends West African tradition, dynamic 2D animation, and high-stakes storytelling to introduce audiences to a bold new hero.

Building on the show’s first-season success across Cartoon Network and HBO Max, Iyanu: The Age of Wonders — the first in a pair of upcoming animated feature films — will premiere Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT.

About the Film: Iyanu: The Age of Wonders

Set 500 years before the rise of Iyanu, The Age of Wonders transports viewers to Yorubaland at the height of its magical civilization. When Meje — the embodiment of the seven deadly sins — emerges, young warriors Dara and Ishe must stop the coming Age of Darkness. Their only hope lies with the Divine Ones, legendary beings who once walked the earth and upheld the balance between light and shadow.

The film stars an all-African voice cast, including:

• Shaffy Bello as Emi – The One Mother
• Babajide Oyekunle as Joba – The First Father
• Ike Ononye as Ishe
• Sisan Victor-Woko as Dara
• Serah Johnson as Iyanu
• Okey Jude as Biyi
• Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye
• Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Olori

The film was co-written by Brandon Easton (series story editor) and Roye Okupe, who also directed and serves as the franchise’s creator and showrunner.

Season 2, coming in 2026, finds Iyanu facing a powerful new enemy as tensions rise across Yorubaland. With ancient magic reawakening, the fight for balance has only just begun.

The show’s executive producers include David Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group and Doug Schwalbe of Superprod, and Roye Okupe, who also serves as series creator and showrunner. 

The Iyanu series and films are based on Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics.

Executive producers include:

• David Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands, Matt Heath (Lion Forge Entertainment);
• Erica Dupuis (Impact X Capital);
• Ryan Haidarian (Forefront Media Group);
• Doug Schwalbe (Superprod);
• Roye Okupe, who also serves as creator and showrunner.