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| Image:Deadline |
Roye Okupe’s Iyanu: Child of Wonder is more than just an animated series it’s a defining moment for African storytelling and a bold step forward for the continent’s presence in the global animation space.
Born from Okupe’s deep respect for Yoruba culture and his long-standing love for comics and animation, Iyanu is a creative leap that took five years of dedicated work, persistence, and unwavering cultural integrity.
Set in a fictional version of Yorubaland, Iyanu draws from traditional Yoruba heritage, bringing to life themes of bravery, empathy, and spiritual power.
The series doesn’t rely on any one myth, but instead fuses elements of Yoruba history and symbolism to tell a fresh, emotionally layered story. At its heart is a young heroine with mysterious powers, tasked with saving her homeland from dark forces a narrative that celebrates African resilience and imagination.
What truly makes Iyanu stand out is its commitment to authenticity. Okupe didn’t just create a series set in Africa he built it with African hands.
From his own role as creator and showrunner to the involvement of key Nigerian talents like Godwin Akpan as art director and Femi Agunbiade as lead composer, the project remained deeply rooted in the continent.
Nigerian artists, illustrators, and creatives contributed to nearly every stage of production, ensuring the series wasn’t only about Africa but made by Africans.
The journey wasn’t easy. Adapting a graphic novel into an animated series required creative flexibility. Plot points were shuffled, emotional beats adjusted, and visual pacing reimagined. Okupe admitted it wasn’t always comfortable seeing changes, but once he watched the animated footage, it became clear that these adaptations strengthened the story.
Equally impressive was the casting approach. With a strong desire to spotlight Nigerian and African voices, the team held open auditions, listening to over 1,000 tapes before selecting the right cast.
Some roles were filled directly, a nod to the natural fit and star power of certain voices. Even the show’s soundtrack rich with cultural texture was designed to reflect the spirit of Yoruba identity.
Iyanu also marked a powerful collaboration between African creators and international platforms. Lion Forge Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and Max backed the project, offering both distribution and support without compromising cultural vision. Okupe’s journey was catalyzed by a key connection in 2019 with producer Erica Motley, whose belief in the project opened doors in Hollywood.
For Okupe, the most rewarding moment wasn’t the deal or the premiere it was watching Iyanu with his daughter and seeing it become her favorite show, without her knowing he created it. That intimate, personal moment captures the soul of the project: a story that bridges generations, cultures, and continents.
Iyanu isn’t just a series; it’s a movement. One that signals the rise of African animation and sets the stage for a future where African stories are told on global screens, with African voices leading the way.
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