Every kingdom has a story it doesn't tell its children. For Elu, that story is the War of Twin Princes — and now, for the first time, you get to see it.
Iyanu: The War of Twin Princes is here. Set a century before the events of the main series, this film event from Lion Forge Entertainment reaches back to a time when Elu was prosperous, powerful, and whole — and tells the story of the conflict that would shape the future of all Yorubaland. Written and directed by series creator, executive producer, and showrunner Roye Okupe, it is the deepest the Iyanuverse has ever gone into its own past.
Here is everything you need to know:
What is the War of Twin Princes?
The War of Twin Princes is a film event set 100 years before Iyanu was born. In the prosperous kingdom of Elu, King Oba Adedeji must choose an heir between his twin sons — one bold and decisive, the other thoughtful and restrained. When he refuses to decide, the kingdom is thrust into a conflict with lasting political and spiritual consequences.
It is a story about power, legacy, and succession. It is a story about two brothers who love each other and a throne that can only hold one of them. And it is a story whose ending still echoes in Iyanu's world a full century later.
THE TWIN PRINCES
Prince Debo (voiced by Femi "Bakes" Olugbade) is the younger twin — by mere seconds. A gifted Eso warrior driven by his mother's forbidden dream to lead Elu beyond its walls, Debo is convinced that daring, not caution, is the only way to save his people.
He is ambitious, charismatic, and impulsive — a master of the grounded "Way of the Tortoise" capoeira, and unwilling to be told what cannot be done. As he puts it himself: "Forbidden is a word I know not."
Prince Laja (also voiced by Femi "Bakes" Olugbade) is the elder twin — "by twenty seconds," as he'd remind you. A devoted student of the Agoni, Laja believes a people must understand where they came from to know where they are going.
Measured, principled, and introspective, he is sometimes mistaken for timid — but his calm conceals a deep resolve. Where his brother fights in the grounded style, Laja practices the evasive "Way of the Golden Leaf" capoeira, and empowers Elu's people through the knowledge of their history.
Two brothers. Two philosophies. One throne. You can already feel the problem.
The Ones Around Them
The twins are not alone in this story.
Oba Adedeji (voiced by Lord Frank) is the burdened King of Elu — wise, protective, and weighed down by a decision only he can make. Blessed with rare prophetic visions granted within the Temple, he knows better than anyone that the wrong choice could doom everything he has built.
So he does not choose. And it is that very indecision that sets the war in motion.
Oloye (voiced by Stella Damasus) is the formidable leader of the Agoni — keepers of Elu's spiritual traditions and ancient knowledge. Principled and perceptive, she guards the old ways fiercely and senses darkness before anyone else does.
And then there is Eletan (voiced by David Onwubalili) — a charismatic, soft-spoken wanderer who journeys in from the far reaches of Yorubaland, claiming to carry an ancient power from the Age of Wonders. Graceful and enigmatic, he enchants nearly everyone he meets. His true intentions remain shrouded in mystery.
How the Story Relates to Iyanu
It's being retold in the present day by both Iyanu and Adora, who you got to meet in the second season.
Iyanu (voiced by Serah Johnson) comes face to face with a version of her people's history she never knew — one that challenges everything she believed to be true. And Adura (voiced by Gesiere Faith Agua), a leader among the People of the Deep, brings forward a century-old journal that promises to turn everything both of them thought they knew upside down.
Two accounts of the same war. Two sides of the same history. And a truth that, as Iyanu suspects, lies "somewhere in the middle."
Where to Watch
Iyanu: The War of Twin Princes is available now. USA: Cartoon Network and HBO Max. UK: ITVX. Australia: ABC iview. UAE and MENA region: eJunior and STARZPlay.
Find your platform and start watching: https://beacons.ai/iyanuseries/watchiyanu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Iyanu: The War of Twin Princes?
The War of Twin Princes is a film event produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, set 100 years before the main Iyanu series. It tells the story of King Oba Adedeji's twin sons — Prince Debo and Prince Laja — and the succession conflict that shaped the future of Yorubaland. It was written and directed by series creator Roye Okupe.
When does The War of Twin Princes take place?
The film is set a century before the events of the main Iyanu series, during a time when the kingdom of Elu was prosperous and whole. Its story is retold in the present day through Iyanu and Adura, who each inherit its consequences.
Do I need to watch the main series first?
The War of Twin Princes can be enjoyed on its own, but it rewards viewers who know the main series and The Age of Wonders — the connections across the Iyanuverse run deep.
Where can I watch Iyanu: The War of Twin Princes?
The War of Twin Princes premiered on Cartoon Network on July 11th and is now streaming on:
- HBO MAX in the US, UK, ITV X Australia,
- ABC IV, UAE,
- EJunior
Find your platform here: https://beacons.ai/iyanuseries/watchiyanu
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Iyanu is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment — Diverse Stories, Authentically Told.
Some history has two sides. The War of Twin Princes is here — watch it now and decide where the truth lies.