The animated fantasy series Iyanu isn’t just coming back—it’s expanding. Cartoon Network and Max have officially renewed the hit show for a second season and greenlit two feature-length films set in the same universe, Variety reports.
Inspired by Roye Okupe’s Nigerian graphic novel, Iyanu follows a teenage heroine on a journey to unlock her divine powers and protect her homeland of Yorubaland. Season 2 is set to return in 2026 with ten new episodes. According to the official synopsis, Iyanu “finds herself in the midst of a fierce conflict between Elu and the People of the Deep, led by a new formidable opponent. With various factions of Yorubaland vying for powerful divine artifacts that have reemerged, Iyanu strives to find a way to end the war and restore peace.”
The show has struck a powerful chord with viewers. Since its debut, it has become the No. 1 series among kids ages 2–12 on Cartoon Network and ranks in the top 10 kids & family series on Max. It has already been viewed by over 525,000 people, a notable feat for a series rooted in West African mythology.
David Steward II, CEO of Lion Forge Entertainment, shared his excitement: “We’re incredibly inspired by the response to Iyanu and the connection it has made with audiences. The opportunity to expand this world with a second season and two feature films is a testament to the power of meaningful storytelling and innovative creative collaboration. We’re grateful for the continued support of our partners at Cartoon Network and Max, and it’s been a lot of fun working with Roye to bring Iyanu to life and build the franchise.”
The expansion includes two feature-length projects. The first, The Age of Wonders, is a prequel film set 500 years before Iyanu’s rise. It’s slated for release later this year. The second film is currently in production and will debut in 2026.
The Iyanu team includes executive producers 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. Okupe, who also serves as the series showrunner, joins them as a producer.
With Season 2 and two films on the way, Iyanu is shaping up to be a full-fledged universe—and one that’s putting African stories at the center of the global animation stage.