Adult Animation Takes Flight in Malaysia

(From left) Arzuan Anuar (Director, Spaceboy Studios), Edmund Chan Seng Kee (Managing Director, Animasia Studio), Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar (Chief Explorer, Komet Productions), ahLoong (Chief Operating Officer, Animasia Studio), Hendra Wardi (Managing Director, Bawah Tanah Sdn Bhd and Director, Spaceboy Studios)

Kisah Bawah Tanah, an animated horror-comedy series featuring reimagined Southeast Asian folklore, is slated for release in 2025. In line with a growing interest in animation for the older crowd, this currently-in-production series carries with it, hopes to pave the way for a new era of diverse storytelling from Southeast Asia, a region already known for its thriving children’s animation industry.

Folks behind this series, which is a co-production between Animasia Studios and Spaceboy Studios, who emerged as the winner of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation’s (MDEC) 2018 Intellectual Property Creators Challenge contest, recently announced a collaborative partnership with Komet Productions Sdn Bhd, to elevate its IP potential.

IP possibilities will include strategies for licensing, promotions, distribution and merchandising, with a vision to steer the Kisah Bawah Tanah brand into a multi-faceted franchise, encompassing video games, a spin-off micro-series, on-ground experiential attractions, direction for the soundtrack and music scoring as well as the development of a feature film.

"We view Kisah Bawah Tanah as a pivotal step in maturing Malaysian animation beyond the children’s market,” said industry veteran Ahmad Izham Omar, Chief Explorer of Komet Productions. “We're blending horror, comedy, and our rich local folklore to create animation that entertains and resonates with audiences worldwide.”

Recognizing a lack of mature animation in the Southeast Asian market, Spaceboys Studios leveraged their passion for the supernatural to create a cartoon series inspired by Futurama, Ghostbusters, and Beetlejuice.

“Kisah Bawah Tanah offers a humorous reimagining of Southeast Asian folklore, ‘pantangs’, and ghosts. If you grew up in the region, you'll undoubtedly recognize the characters and stories we've adapted,” said Hendra Wardi, Managing Director of Bawah Tanah Sdn Bhd and Director of Spaceboy Studios. “Our hope is that a Western audience will not only enjoy Kisah Bawah Tanah, but also develop a curiosity about the rich mythology of Southeast Asia.”

Beyond strong ratings and a dedicated fanbase, Hendra aspires for Kisah Bawah Tanah to become a cultural touchstone, both within Southeast Asia and globally. 

“While iconic monsters like Dracula, The Wolf Man, and Frankenstein's Monster have achieved worldwide fame, our goal is to elevate our own ‘hantus’ to a similar level. By introducing the world to the Pontianak, Penanggal, and Pocong, we hope to not only define these creatures but also highlight their unique origins in Southeast Asia,” Hendra explained.

The project has since received ongoing support from MDEC's Digital Content Grant programme. “We hope that Season 1 does well enough that we can tell even more stories with a Season 2 of Kisah Bawah Tanah,” Hendra concluded.

Catch Spaceboy Studios @ ATF 2024!