Brown Toy Box Announces Licensing Deal with Lion Forge Entertainment: Will Bring Upcoming TV Series IYANU to Life Through Educational STEAM Kits and Toys - Licensing International

Brown Toy Box, a leading brand in creating culturally relevant educational toys, is thrilled to announce a licensing partnership with award-winning movie and TV studio Lion Forge Entertainment for their highly anticipated animated series IYANU – an epic superhero story steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology, set to premiere on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025.

This exciting collaboration will launch a new line of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) kits and educational play products inspired by the series, offering children an inspiring and immersive way to explore STEAM concepts while engaging with the vibrant world of IYANU.

Each IYANU STEAM kit will focus on a specific character from the series, paired with a STEAM theme such as engineering, chemistry, or geospatial learning. In addition, the collection will feature visually stunning giant puzzles and construction sets, encouraging hands-on learning that is equal parts educational and fun. Brown Toy Box’s mission is to make STEAM learning accessible and joyful for children of all backgrounds, and this collaboration provides an exciting new way to do just that.

The IYANU kits are designed to immerse children in the story’s culturally rich universe while allowing them to explore STEAM through fun and interactive challenges. Whether assembling character-based puzzles or engaging in exciting science experiments, children will develop critical thinking skills and gain confidence in their abilities – all while having a blast.

At Brown Toy Box, creating products that celebrate culture while making learning accessible is at the heart of everything they do. The IYANU STEAM kits will encourage children to explore STEAM in ways that are as imaginative as they are educational. The giant puzzles and construction sets are crafted to reinforce STEAM concepts while also telling culturally rich stories that reflect the diversity of the world today.

A Lion Forge Entertainment production, IYANU is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ popular graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and filmmaker Roye Okupe. Dark Horse Comics is the powerhouse behind the likes of The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy comics.

IYANU is set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.

IYANU is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, the Emmy-winning company behind the Oscar®-winning Hair Love. With IYANU, creator Roye Okupe serves as an executive producer, as well as writer, and director on multiple episodes. The show’s executive producers are Okupe, David Steward II and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group, and Doug Schwalbe.

“We are beyond excited to partner with Lion Forge to bring the IYANU series to life through these innovative STEAM products,” said Terri-Nichelle Bradley, Founder and CEO of Brown Toy Box. “Our mission has

always been to create educational play that sparks curiosity and celebrates culture. With the IYANU kits, we’re delivering an experience that lets kids see themselves in these inspiring characters while building real-world skills in science, technology, and creativity.”

Lion Forge Entertainment Founder and CEO David Steward II said, “We’re proud to partner with a leading brand like Brown Toy Box, who’s recognized for their commitment to creativity and diversity in the toy industry. With our shared belief in the power of authentic representation, the new STEAM kits and products will give kids an exciting, hands-on way to engage with the characters and stories of ‘Iyanu,’ and immerse themselves in content that celebrates their own identities and experiences.”

“The partnership with Brown Toy Box is a perfect fit for IYANU,” said Roye Okupe, IYANU creator and executive producer. “The story centers on young people discovering their inner strength and potential, and these STEAM kits give kids a way to engage with those themes while learning valuable skills. It’s exciting to see how the world of IYANU will now inspire kids through educational play.

“These kits are designed to bring joy to learning,” Bradley added. “We’re creating a play experience that’s equal parts fun and educational, where kids can explore science, technology, and math in a way that feels inspiring and culturally meaningful.”

About Brown Toy BoxBrown Toy Box is dedicated to being the leading brand creating educational toys and entertainment that spark joy, cultivate curiosity, and celebrate Black cultures. Through culturally affirming toys, games, and activities, Brown Toy Box introduces children to the world of STEAM in ways that are engaging, fun, and relatable. The company’s award-winning products have reached classrooms and homes across the country, helping to unlock the potential of future innovators, creators, and leaders.

About Lion Forge EntertainmentLion Forge Entertainment (LFE), one of the only Black-owned animation studios of scale in North America, was founded in 2019 by David Steward II as a platform to amplify authentic, diverse voices in the animation and live action kids & family space. “Diverse Stories, Authentically Told” is the driving motto and mission behind the company.

Currently, LFE is producing and co-financing the highly anticipated animated series Iyanu, for Cartoon Network and Max. Iyanu is an adaptation of the graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder created by Roye Okupe and is an epic superhero steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology. Additional Lion Forge projects include franchise adaptations of Sarah Mlynowski’s New York Times’ bestselling tween book series Best Wishes, and a live-action TV series adaptation of coming-of-age fantasy book series Secret Society of Rebel Girls. The company has a first look deal with Nickelodeon for animation; a partnership with Penguin Young Readers to develop animated and live action projects based on selected PYR best-selling books; and a strategic alliance with Dentsu to develop projects for global partners and brands.

Lion Forge previously produced the Academy Award®-winning animated short Hair Love; Annie and Image Award-nominated Rise Up, Sing Out for Disney; Emmy-winning special The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special; Children’s & Family Emmy Award-nominated Rhymes Through Times” short series for Nickelodeon; and Emmy Award-winning short series Drawn In, in partnership with Nine PBS.

With a robust slate of live action and animated projects in development, Lion Forge recently formed its own distribution entity to handle foreign sales for LFE and third-party projects, as well as an in-house franchise and consumer products division to build and maximize franchises.

Lion Forge Entertainment is one of the companies under parent Polarity, also owned by Steward. Polarity includes Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, which publishes more than 60 original graphic novels each year and owns a deep library of IP. Polarity also owns Magnetic Press and Illustrated Syndicate. Polarity sits alongside the Steward Family holdings which range from music to NASCAR to the NHL and beyond.

Lion Forge Entertainment is represented by Activist Artists Management.