The new animated TV show rival to Avatar: The Last Airbender has been renewed for season 2 by HBO Max and Cartoon Network. From 2005 to 2008, Nickelodeon released the hit TV show Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show was a breath of fresh air because it touched on serious issues that aren’t often depicted in media for children while also giving equal attention to the animation and score. The Nickelodeon show even won a Peabody Award for its “multi-dimensional characters, unusually complicated personal relationships for a cartoon serial, and a healthy respect for the consequences of warfare.”
Because of its popularity, the animated shows that appeal to both adults and children have risen to this level of success, resulting in a prolific legacy. However, HBO Max and Cartoon Network have finally released a series that rivals Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Iyanu Is Renewed For Season 2 & Cartoon Network Is Making 2 Movies
The Iyanu World & Characters Will Continue To Expand
Based on the graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe, the animated TV show Iyanu is a fantasy-adventure children’s show that explores serious themes and offers fantastic animation, like Avatar: The Last Airbender. Iyanu is inspired by Yorba cultures. The show follows the eponymous orphan teen who learns that she has magical powers that haven’t existed since the Age of Wonders. She and her two friends set out to learn about her past and the truth about Yorubaland. Iyanu premiered in April 2025 and quickly garnered a fanbase and positive reviews.
Only one month after its release, Iyanu characters that the second film might include, it will release in 2026.
Our Take On Iyanu Season 2 & The Movies
Iyanu Could Be A Cultural Touchstone If It Succeeds Like Avatar: The Last Airbender
Whether you consider Iyanu a rival or a spiritual successor, the similarities between the Cartoon Network/HBO Max show and Avatar: The Last Airbender are undeniable. Having watched both series, I think that Avatar walked so that Iyanu could run, and boy, has it run.
Cartoon Network's New Show Is The Last Airbender & Black Panther Hybrid You Didn't Know You Needed
The latest animated epic from Cartoon Network and MAX, Iyanu is an unlikely but compelling fusion of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Black Panther.
If season 2 and the movies maintain the high-quality animation and storytelling of season 1, Iyanu has the potential to be a cultural touchstone for younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha, like Avatar: The Last Airbender is for younger Millennials and Gen Z. Moreover, the perennial themes of the Cartoon Network/HBO Max show and the fact that it appeals to adults as well means that it could build a wider franchise over time in the same way Avatar: The Last Airbender did.
Source: Peabody Award and Variety
