Iyanu: The Age of Wonders Review
/By Justin D Williams
Fantasy animation has always thrived on the strength of a couple of factors, like setting, the mystical elements, and, of course, characters. However, one of the strengths is world-building. From the bending nations of Avatar to the kingdoms of The Dragon Prince, audiences return not just to the heroes, but to the histories, legends, and mythologies that shape them. Iyanu: The Age of Wonders, Cartoon Network, and Lion Forge Animation take a bold step in the series by offering a prequel that grounds the universe and opens the door for a new audience.
The story is set 500 years before the events of the main Iyanu series, and the film serves as both a legend and a cautionary tale. Olori is recounting the past to Iyanu and her friends, and the story unveils the rise of the “Age of Wonders.” It explores the origins of the Divine Ones and the tragic choices that Iyanu's parents had to make. It also touches on the birth of Meje, who is the embodiment of the seven deadly sins. Rather than focusing solely on the present day of the series, the film leans into that world-building and myth-making. The story excels in its embrace of cultural identity. Yoruba lore isn’t treated as some set dressing; it’s the foundation of the world. We get colorful landscapes, great character designs from the mystical powers, and divine conflicts. This has some really good attention to detail. Also, a great win is this: being a prequel, it doesn’t require you to have prior knowledge of the series. You get enough explanation and characterization to see what this world is.
On the flip side of the coin, ambition has its drawbacks. While trying to give a backstory on lore that spans centuries in the universe, some of the plot feels rushed. Characters are introduced and disappear. The pacing, as well, gives too much exposition with dialogue instead of showing the audience. The animation, while amazing, is sometimes not consistent. Certain moments and shots lack fluidity, and certain facial expressions fall short in emotional moments. However, despite the little nitpicking, this is still a fun animation. The themes of destiny, sacrifice, and free will everyone can relate to. Fans of the series, this is a satisfying expansion that answers key questions. Newcomers, this is an invitation to step into a world both familiar in its fantasy tropes.
Final Rating: Iyanu: The Age of Wonders is far from perfect, but its creative ambition, cultural significance outweigh typical filmmaking shortcomings. It’s visually striking, thematically hits the target, and for fans, it’s a great prequel. The world-building will hook you, and it will deliver with character-driven drama. Definitely check this out.
