African animation continues to push boundaries on the global stage, and Iyanu, the animated series from YouNeek Studios, has just reached a major milestone. The series has been officially nominated for three NAACP Image Awards, placing it among some of the most celebrated television projects of the year and further cementing its impact beyond the continent.
The nominations recognize both the creative ambition of Iyanu and the growing influence of African-inspired storytelling in mainstream global media.
A Breakthrough for Iyanu and YouNeek Studios
Created by Nigerian comic creator Roye Okupe, Iyanu is adapted from the graphic novel Iyanu: Child of Wonder. The animated series draws heavily from Yoruba mythology, African history, and fantasy, blending them into a visually rich and emotionally grounded story that resonates with both children and adults.
Since its debut, Iyanu has stood out for its confident world-building, strong characters, and cultural authenticity. Rather than simply borrowing African aesthetics, the series fully embraces African mythology as the foundation of its narrative, presenting it with the scale and seriousness usually reserved for Western fantasy franchises.
Now, the NAACP Image Award nominations signal that this approach is not only culturally important but also globally competitive.
The Three NAACP Image Award Nominations
Iyanu has been nominated in the following categories:
Outstanding Animated Series
This nomination places Iyanu alongside some of the best animated productions currently on television. It recognizes the series’ animation quality, storytelling strength, and overall production value.
Outstanding Children’s Program
Here, Iyanu is celebrated for its ability to engage younger audiences while still delivering meaningful themes around identity, courage, responsibility, and heritage.
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special
This nomination goes to Roye Okupe and Brandon Easton for “Iyanu: The Age of Wonders.” It highlights the writing behind the series, its layered characters, clear emotional arcs, and the thoughtful way African mythology is translated for a global audience.
Together, these nominations reflect Iyanu’s success on multiple levels: creative, technical, and cultural.
African Animation
The NAACP Image Awards have long been a platform that celebrates excellence in Black storytelling across film, television, and music. For an African-led animated series like Iyanu to receive three nominations is a strong signal that African animation is no longer on the sidelines of global conversations.
This recognition opens doors not just for YouNeek Studios, but for the wider African animation ecosystem. It proves that stories rooted in African culture can compete internationally without being watered down or reshaped to fit external expectations.
It also sends an important message to young African creators: global recognition is possible while staying authentic.
One of the most important aspects of the NAACP Image Awards is public voting. Fans have a direct opportunity to support Iyanu and help push African animation even further into the spotlight.
You can vote for Iyanu in the following categories:
Every vote counts, and this is a rare chance for audiences, especially African and diaspora viewers, to actively support a project that represents their stories on a global stage.
Beyond awards, Iyanu represents a shift in how African stories are being positioned globally. It shows that African mythology can exist comfortably alongside global fantasy universes, and that African-led studios can deliver animation at an international standard.
For YouNeek Studios, these nominations mark a defining chapter. For African animation, they signal momentum. And for viewers, Iyanu stands as proof that culturally grounded stories can be powerful, entertaining, and globally relevant.
As voting continues, one thing is already clear: Iyanu has made history, and its journey is only just beginning.
Have you watched Iyanu yet?
Do you think it deserves the NAACP Image Award wins?
Vote, share this story, and let’s support African animation on the global stage.