6 Must-See Famous Cartoons in 2025
- YT
- Nov 3
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Table of Content
Introduction
If you’d told me ten years ago that Malaysian animation would someday stand proudly beside Disney, DreamWorks, and Ufotable — I might’ve smiled politely and gone back to storyboarding. But here we are in 2025, and it’s happening.
Animation has grown up. It’s no longer confined to Saturday mornings or kids’ channels. It’s about identity, empathy, and imagination — all told through moving pictures that speak every language. And in this extraordinary year, Malaysia’s Kisah Bawah Tanah joins that global conversation.
Before I share what this project means to me, here’s a look at the incredible company we find ourselves in — six animated stories defining what 2025 looks (and feels) like.
Here are six cartoons that you shouldn't miss in 2025, their studios, and where to watch them.
1. Zootopia 2 — Walt Disney Animation Studios (United States)
Disney has always had a gift for building worlds that reflect our own — and Zootopia 2 is no exception.This time, Detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde chase a mysterious reptile who throws their city into chaos. Their investigation takes them deep into Zootopia’s underbelly, testing their trust, courage, and partnership in ways we’ve never seen before.
I’ve always admired Disney’s ability to tell socially aware stories without losing heart. They manage to weave real issues — identity, prejudice, fear — into something even a child can understand. That’s a kind of storytelling mastery all of us in animation quietly aspire to.
Where to Watch: In cinemas first, later on Disney+
2. K-Pop: Demon Hunters — Sony Pictures Animation × Studio Mir (South Korea / U.S.)
When I first read the logline for K-Pop: Demon Hunters, I smiled — because it’s so delightfully unexpected. Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are K-pop superstars by day and demon hunters by night, protecting their fans from supernatural threats hiding beneath Seoul’s glow.
It’s a thrilling mash-up of glamour, mythology, and heart — and it perfectly captures what I love about Korean storytelling: they never shy away from emotion. Like us Malaysians, they understand that fantasy means nothing if it doesn’t come from something real.
Where to Watch: Netflix and select theatres
3. Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4 — Blur Studio × Netflix Animation (U.S.)
This series has been a quiet influence on many of us who write for animation. Every episode is a short experiment — a visual poem about love, chaos, and human nature. It’s messy, unpredictable, and beautifully raw.
I often rewatch episodes from Love, Death & Robots when I’m stuck writing something emotional for Kisah Bawah Tanah. It reminds me that animation doesn’t need to be linear, neat, or safe. It can be wild, intimate, and personal — and still connect deeply with audiences.
Where to Watch: Netflix
4. The Bad Guys 2 — DreamWorks Animation (U.S.)
The Bad Guys series proves that you can take a simple idea — villains trying to go straight — and fill it with humor, swagger, and genuine soul. In The Bad Guys 2, our reformed criminals — Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark, and Ms. Tarantula — find their redemption tested when a new gang, The Bad Girls, hijacks their good intentions.
DreamWorks always manages to make even chaos feel human. There’s a lot of that energy in Kisah Bawah Tanah too — where our “monsters” aren’t necessarily evil, just misunderstood.
5. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle — Ufotable (Japan)
Every writer and animator I know has felt inspired — or humbled — by Demon Slayer. Its upcoming Infinity Castle film will take Tanjiro and friends into a labyrinth of horror and heartbreak, where every fight feels like a prayer.
What I love about Ufotable’s work is that it never forgets the heart inside the spectacle. Their battles are emotional first, visual second — and that’s something we deeply relate to as storytellers.
Where to Watch: In theatres worldwide, later on Crunchyroll and Netflix
6. Kisah Bawah Tanah — Bawah Tanah Sdn Bhd × Animasia Studio (Malaysia)
Now, let me take you home — to where our stories live.
Kisah Bawah Tanah began as a question:What if the legends we grew up hearing weren’t just scary stories — but reflections of who we are?
Each episode of our 2D anthology explores a different corner of Malaysia’s collective memory — a forgotten train tunnel, a haunted playground, a spirit that lingers in a quiet kampung road. But beyond the chills, what we really wanted to write about was people: friendship, regret, loyalty, and loss.
Animation gives us the freedom to visualize the unseen — but our real job as writers is to make you feel it.
We worked closely with artists from Animasia Studio (the same powerhouse behind Bola Kampung, Chuck Chicken, and Harry and Bunnies). Together, we built something atmospheric yet emotional — an animated series that feels Malaysian to its core, yet universal in its themes of love, fear, and forgiveness.
As a writer, I can say this project has changed the way I see folklore. These myths aren’t just horror tales — they’re cultural mirrors. Every ghost story carries a piece of our humanity.
Where to Watch: To be annouced soon
Conclusion
From where I’m sitting — in a tiny writing room in Kuala Lumpur surrounded by storyboards, coffee cups, and too many sticky notes — it feels like we’re in a golden era of animation.
But what makes it golden isn’t technology or budgets. It’s heart.
The best animated projects of 2025 — from Zootopia 2 to Demon Slayer — share one thing: honesty. They make us laugh, cry, and think, without ever talking down to us. And that’s what we’re trying to do with Kisah Bawah Tanah.
I think the world is ready to listen to new voices — especially from places like Malaysia. We’ve always had stories worth telling; we just needed the tools and confidence to tell them our way.
As a writer, I believe this:Animation isn’t about escaping reality — it’s about confronting it, just beautifully disguised in color, sound, and motion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the most anticipated cartoons in 2025?
Some of the most awaited titles include Zootopia 2 (Disney), K-Pop: Demon Hunters (Sony Pictures Animation × Studio Mir), Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4 (Netflix), The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks), and Malaysia’s own Kisah Bawah Tanah.
2. What makes Kisah Bawah Tanah special among global cartoons?
Kisah Bawah Tanah stands out for its emotional depth and focus on Malaysia’s urban legends. Unlike typical Western cartoons, it blends local folklore with cinematic 2D animation — giving a fresh Malaysian voice to the global animation scene.
3. Is Kisah Bawah Tanah considered a Malaysia animation film or a cartoon series?
It’s both. Kisah Bawah Tanah is a 2D animated series produced by Malaysian studios that follows the narrative depth and production quality of a film. It represents a new generation of Malaysia animation films transitioning into serialized storytelling.
4. Where can I watch Kisah Bawah Tanah?
You can find it on Kisah Bawah Tanah’s official website and selected OTT platforms once released. Follow the site and social media pages for announcements.
5. Why is Malaysia gaining attention in the animation industry?
Malaysia’s animation scene is growing due to talented studios like Animasia Studio, Les’ Copaque, and Bawah Tanah Sdn Bhd. They combine local stories with international-quality animation — creating 2D and 3D works that resonate globally.
6. How is 2D animation making a comeback in 2025?
2D animation is resurging because audiences crave authenticity, hand-crafted art, and emotional depth. Films like Kisah Bawah Tanah and Spider-Verse prove that expressive, stylized 2D animation still has massive global appeal.
7. Are Malaysian urban legends becoming a trend in animation?
Yes. Folklore-based storytelling is gaining traction globally — and Malaysia’s rich mythology offers fresh, untold perspectives. Kisah Bawah Tanah leads the charge by reimagining these urban legends through modern animation techniques.
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