When Black Panther broke the internet in 2018, Africans at home and in the Diaspora were thrilled to have a Superhero that represented them. While the cast featured Africans with the native tongue and nuances like Lupita N’yogo, many Africans at home were displeased with mimics of the African tongue by many others.
Though the acting was superb and everyone loved it (or most did), the tongue was still a major issue. If a movie was meant to show African pride, it is then worrying if the actors couldn’t sound like the people meant to be represented. This Hollywood mistake comes in along line of movies including Coming to America, Concussion, and many others.
It makes sense to not blame a black American who was raised in the US for not having the African dialect. This is why studios at home are rising to the occasion. Nollywood is already the biggest movie industry in Africa but animations are at the forefront presenting heroes that really sound African.
(Uchechi Nwaneri/CNN)
On February 27, Kugali Media premiered the animation Iwájú . In a groundbreaking move for African storytelling, Iwájú made waves as the first African animated series produced in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria, Iwájú tells the coming-of-age story of Tola, a young girl from a wealthy background, and her tech-savvy best friend, Kole. The series featured an all-Nigerian voice cast, including Simisola Gbadamosi, Siji Soetan, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, and Weruche Opia who brought authenticity and cultural richness to their roles.
Following this welcomed order, another animation is set to be released in 2025 with an all-African voice cast—Iyanu. The show features a stellar all-Nigerian voice cast, including Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, and Adesua Etomi-Wellington, promising to bring this epic story to life.
Iyanu is an animated series produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, adapting Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ award-winning graphic novel “Iyanu: Child of Wonder” by Nigerian creator Roye Okupe. The series will be premiering on Cartoon Network/Max in 2025, and it has 26 episodes running for two seasons. Its title sequence premiered on August 7 with the theme song by award-winning Yemi Alade.
Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, “Iyanu” is a captivating superhero tale that draws deeply from Nigerian culture, music, and mythology. At the heart of this animated series is Iyanu, a teenage orphan girl who spends her days immersed in history and ancient arts, yet yearns for a normal life.
One fateful day, Iyanu unknowingly triggers divine powers unlike any seen since the Age of Wonders, and she joins forces with two other teenage heroes, Biyi and Toye, to embark on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth about the evil lurking within their homeland. As Iyanu delves into the mysteries of her past and parents, she must work to unveil her ultimate destiny – to save the world – in this thrilling blend of superhero action and exploration of identity, heritage, and heroism.
As Iwájú captures the essence of Lagos, it also addresses the complexities of urban life. However, Iyanu takes us back to the roots that make us african, including our mythology.
Both Iwájú and Iyanu represent a significant shift in the animation landscape, showcasing the potential of African narratives in mainstream media. As these series gain traction, they not only entertain but also educate audiences around the world about the richness of African culture and storytelling. With the success of Iwájú and the upcoming release of Iyanu, the future looks bright for African-voiced animated superheroes, paving the way for more diverse stories to be told on global platforms.
