Anikulapo Season 2 Tops Netflix Nigeria in 24 Hours
Anikulapo Season 2 Netflix Nigeria has taken the streaming world by storm as the highly anticipated sequel to Kunle Afolayan’s epic series surged to number one on Netflix Nigeria just 24 hours after its global release. Titled Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens, the new season premiered on Friday, January 30, 2026, and quickly pushed aside major international titles to dominate the charts. The rapid rise further cements Aníkúlápó as one of Africa’s most powerful and globally relevant intellectual properties.
Building on the mystical foundation laid by the 2022 blockbuster film and the 2024 miniseries Rise of the Spectre, the new season expands the story far beyond familiar territory. Viewers return to Saro’s supernatural world, but this time the narrative stretches across new kingdoms, cultures, and political alliances. Within hours of its release, social media buzzed with praise for the elevated storytelling, cinematic ambition, and rich cultural depth.
Directed once again by Kunle Afolayan, The Ghoul Awakens marks a significant creative leap for the franchise. For the first time, filming moved beyond the Kunle Afolayan Film Village in Oyo State to historic locations in Cape Coast, Ghana. This expansion was made possible through a collaboration between KAP Motion Pictures and Ghana’s National Film Authority under the Shoot in Ghana initiative, adding visual diversity and authenticity to the epic saga.
The new season raises the bar with more ambitious visual effects, detailed set designs, and sweeping landscapes that reinforce the series’ signature epic tone. The story also grows more complex, shifting its focus from Saro’s resurrection to the far-reaching consequences of his powers. Loyalties are tested, old alliances fracture, and political intrigue unfolds across multiple realms.
At the heart of the story are returning fan favorites Kunle Remi as Saro and Bimbo Ademoye as Arolake, whose on-screen chemistry remains a driving emotional force. They are joined by seasoned performances from Sola Sobowale, Taiwo Hassan, Lateef Adedimeji, and Gabriel Afolayan, grounding the fantasy in powerful character work.
Fresh energy is introduced through an expanded cast that includes Bukunmi KieKie Adeaga Ilori, Okusaga Adeoluwa Saga, Teniola Aladese, Antar Laniyan, Saidi Balogun, and Fella Makafui. The inclusion of Ghanaian talent further highlights the show’s cross-cultural reach, helping it trend not only in Nigeria but across West Africa.
The success of Aníkúlápó on Netflix is no accident. The original film ranked as the world’s most-watched non-English Netflix original within eleven days of its 2022 release. By topping Netflix Nigeria within just 24 hours in 2026, Anikulapo Season 2 confirms that demand for high-quality African epic storytelling is stronger than ever.
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Critics have noted that the new season delivers a tighter and more suspenseful narrative, resolving earlier shortcomings while setting a bold new direction for the franchise. As The Ghoul Awakens continues to dominate the charts, it stands as clear proof that African stories, when told with vision and world-class production, can command both global attention and commercial success.