Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender may want to check out a standout substitute series, with Iyanu season 2 soon debuting on HBO Max. An animated fantasy superhero series, with only 11 episodes so far, Iyanu is based on the graphic novel by Roye Okupe and Godwin Akpan.
It debuted in April 2025, centering on the title character as she discovers her powers and drawing inspiration from the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. New episodes are on the way, in addition to a sequel film. HBO Max has confirmed that the first half of Iyanu season 2 will premiere on March 22. As for the sequel movie, titled Iyanu: The War of Twin Princes, it is slated to be released in the summer. Iyanu unfolds in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music, and mythology. It centers on Iyanu, a teenage orphan girl, as she spends her days studying history and ancient arts. After she responds to danger one day, the teenager triggers her divine powers. Those kinds of powers have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. Aided by her new abilities, Iyanu is joined by two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they go on a perilous journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. With an all-Nigerian Iyanu voice cast that includes Serah Johnson as the main character, Okey Jude as Biyi, and Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, the animated fantasy has received three Image Award nominations. The adaptation has been called a hybrid of ATLA and Black Panther. In the case of Avatar: The Last Airbender, however, both animated sagas lean into specific cultural milieus to offer the story a sense of specificity. Iyanu, like Avatar, has a rich mythology. Both also have their core groups. Iyanu has Olori, her guardian, along with Biyi and Toye. Aang, of course, is surrounded by the likes of Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Zuko. But what makes Avatar: The Last Airbender and Iyanu at once very unique and united is the striking animation style that helps to deliver a compelling story and shine a spotlight on their respective representations of culture. It's what helped ALTA become an absolute cult classic, along with Avatar's fight scenes, with live-action adaptations and high fan expectations. Hailing from Okupe, who returns as showrunner for the animated series, as well as the Black-owned animation studio Lion Forge Animation, HBO Max's returning gem has the same kind of universal and specific identity that could allow Iyanu to break out. Iyanu 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-PG Animation Action Adventure Fantasy Release Date April 5, 2025 Network Cartoon Network Writers Matt Wayne, Kerri Grant Cast See All
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