Why do ghost cartoons stay with us?

Because they show us that even in stories about the dead, there’s so much life. Ghost cartoons are rarely about fear — they’re about feelings. They talk about loneliness, friendship, and finding peace in the strangest places. Maybe that’s why they never really leave us — they feel a little too familiar.

Who was the first “friendly” ghost?

That would be Casper, the little ghost who didn’t want to scare anyone. Back in 1945, Casper changed everything. He wasn’t haunting houses — he was just looking for a friend. Somehow, that made him one of the most haunting characters of all.

What made Danny Phantom so special?

It wasn’t just a show about ghosts — it was a show about growing up. Danny was stuck between two worlds, trying to figure out who he was and where he belonged. It had action, sure, but what made it memorable was how human it felt underneath all the glowing green.

Is Kisah Bawah Tanah inspired by those old shows?

Yes, but it’s told through a Malaysian heart. Like those classics, Kisah Bawah Tanah mixes humour with emotion — but the stories, the voices, the ghosts… they’re ours. It’s Casper if he grew up in a kampung, or Danny Phantom if he had to deal with Tok Mart’s night shift.

What’s Kisah Bawah Tanah actually about?

It’s a comedy about the afterlife, told with a lot of love (and a little chaos). Zack and Sam are teenage skeletons working at Tok Mart — a convenience store run by a zombie boss that somehow sits on a portal to other worlds. Every day brings new customers, new creatures, and new trouble. It’s weird, funny, and unexpectedly warm.

Are there other Malaysian ghost cartoons like it?

Not quite. Malaysia has tons of ghost stories — pontianak, toyol, hantu raya — but not many that treat them with humour or heart. Kisah Bawah Tanah is one of the first to say, “What if our ghosts weren’t scary… just misunderstood?”

What do ghost cartoons actually teach us?

That everyone wants to be seen — even ghosts. Beneath all the spookiness, these stories remind us that kindness, love, and regret don’t just disappear. They linger. And that’s what makes ghost stories so human.

Why are ghosts such a big part of Kisah Bawah Tanah?

Because ghosts make great mirrors. They reflect everything we leave behind — our memories, our mistakes, our hopes. In Kisah Bawah Tanah, the ghosts aren’t there to scare anyone. They’re just trying to make sense of the world, same as the rest of us.

Is Kisah Bawah Tanah kid-friendly?

Yes — but it’s also for anyone who remembers being a kid. It’s spooky in the fun way, not the nightmare kind. Think Casper meets Ghostbusters with a local twist — full of jokes, surprises, and heart.

Where can I find out more?

You can visit the official Kisah Bawah Tanah website for stories, updates, and peeks behind the scenes. Or drop by the News & Updates section — where you’ll find new articles, fun features, and maybe a few unexpected spirits wandering through.

5 Ghost Cartoon Characters That Still Haunt Our Screens (and Hearts)

YT
Oct 24
5 min read

Updated: Nov 3

From friendly ghosts to messy blobs and moody half-ghost teens, these cartoon spirits have been living rent-free in my head for years. Here are the five that inspired the weird, wonderful world of Kisah Bawah Tanah.

Table of Content

Introduction
Casper the Friendly Ghost
The Ghostly Trio – Fatso, Stinky and Stretch
Danny Phantom
Slimer
Kisah Bawah Tanah
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

From friendly spirits to mischievous blobs and teenage half-ghosts, ghost cartoons have always mixed humour with heart.They show that the afterlife isn’t just about fear — it’s about second chances, connection, and sometimes, a good laugh.

These five ghostly favourites helped shape how the world sees supernatural storytelling — and continue to inspire series like Kisah Bawah Tanah, Malaysia’s own animated love letter to the afterlife.

Casper the Friendly Ghost (1945–Present)

Casper the Friendly Ghost smiling as he rides a broomstick against a warm orange background. — Before all the jump scares and CGI ghouls, there was Casper — the little ghost who proved that kindness could be haunting too.

Casper remains the most iconic friendly ghost in animation history. Debuting in The Friendly Ghost (1945), Casper’s charm came from his innocence and longing for friendship.While other ghosts thrived on fear, Casper chose kindness — redefining how audiences viewed the supernatural.

Casper’s legacy reminds creators that even stories about death can hold messages of empathy, warmth, and hope.

The Ghostly Trio – Fatso, Stinky and Stretch

The Ghostly Trio grinning mischievously behind Casper, their faces glowing in shades of blue. — Loud, lazy, and endlessly dramatic — the Ghostly Trio showed that even in the afterlife, family chaos never really ends.

If Casper was the heart, his uncles were pure mischief. The Ghostly Trio — Fatso, Stinky, and Stretch — brought chaos to every haunting. Loud, lazy, and endlessly entertaining, they showed that even ghosts have families, tempers, and inside jokes.

Their playful energy helped make Casper’s world feel alive, proving that the afterlife could be both funny and relatable.

Danny Phantom (2004–2007)

Danny Phantom in his ghost form, glowing with green energy as he flies forward in a burst of motion. — Half-ghost, half-teenager, and fully confused — Danny Phantom turned supernatural chaos into one of the most relatable coming-of-age stories on TV.

Nickelodeon’s Danny Phantom gave ghost stories a modern twist. When teenager Danny accidentally becomes half-ghost, he must balance school life with ghost-hunting duties — a perfect metaphor for growing up and finding one’s identity.

The show’s mix of action, humour, and heartfelt storytelling made it a cult classic. It reminded viewers that being caught “between two worlds” — human and ghostly — is just another way of exploring what it means to belong.

Slimer (Ghostbusters Franchise)

Slimer, the bright green ghost from Ghostbusters, grinning with goo dripping from his hands and mouth. — The loudest, slimiest, and hungriest ghost of all — Slimer taught us that sometimes chaos deserves a seat at the table (and maybe a napkin).

No ghost list is complete without Slimer — the lovable green menace from Ghostbusters.

Known for his insatiable appetite and chaotic energy, Slimer is the comic relief that turned slime into stardom. He’s proof that not every ghost needs a sad story; sometimes, they’re just there to make a glorious mess.

Slimer’s popularity endures because he represents the fun side of the supernatural — the reminder that even chaos can be charming.

➡️ Meet Slimer on Wikipedia

Kisah Bawah Tanah, our own Ghost Cartoon

From left to right: Zack, Sam, Ina, Vincent, and Tok Mat — the main characters of Kisah Bawah Tanah standing inside The Mat, each showing their unique ghostly personality. — From left: Zack, Sam, Ina, Vincent, and Tok Mat — the everyday undead main cast of *Kisah Bawah Tanah*. Whether it’s serving snacks or surviving supernatural chaos, life at The Martt is never quiet.

Then there are the ghosts closer to home. Kisah Bawah Tanah — or Tales Down Below — is Malaysia’s own twist on ghostly storytelling.The animated series follows Zack and Sam, two teenage skeletons working at Tok Mart, a convenience store run by a grumpy zombie. The store doubles as a portal to other dimensions, bringing in creatures from local myths and legends.

Part horror, part comedy, and entirely Malaysian, Kisah Bawah Tanah reimagines ghost culture with a regional voice. It celebrates the idea that ghosts aren’t just spooky — they can be funny, flawed, and full of heart.

Conclusion

Across generations, ghost cartoons have evolved from simple scares to meaningful reflections of humanity.

Casper taught kindness.
The Ghostly Trio showed the joy of chaos and family.
Danny Phantom explored identity and courage.
Slimer brought laughter to fear.
Kisah Bawah Tanah continues the legacy with Malaysian soul.

Together, they prove that ghost stories aren’t really about death — they’re about what it means to live: to care, to belong, and to keep going even when things get dark.

So the next time a cartoon ghost drifts across your screen, look past the sheet. There’s always something human underneath.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do ghost cartoons stay with us?
Because they show us that even in stories about the dead, there’s so much life.Ghost cartoons are rarely about fear — they’re about feelings. They talk about loneliness, friendship, and finding peace in the strangest places. Maybe that’s why they never really leave us — they feel a little too familiar.
Who was the first “friendly” ghost?
That would be Casper, the little ghost who didn’t want to scare anyone.Back in 1945, Casper changed everything. He wasn’t haunting houses — he was just looking for a friend. Somehow, that made him one of the most haunting characters of all.
What made Danny Phantom so special?
It wasn’t just a show about ghosts — it was a show about growing up.Danny was stuck between two worlds, trying to figure out who he was and where he belonged. It had action, sure, but what made it memorable was how human it felt underneath all the glowing green.
Is Kisah Bawah Tanah inspired by those old shows?
Yes, but it’s told through a Malaysian heart. Like those classics, Kisah Bawah Tanah mixes humour with emotion — but the stories, the voices, the ghosts… they’re ours. It’s Casper if he grew up in a kampung, or Danny Phantom if he had to deal with Tok Mart’s night shift.
What’s Kisah Bawah Tanah actually about?
It’s a comedy about the afterlife, told with a lot of love (and a little chaos).Zack and Sam are teenage skeletons working at Tok Mart — a convenience store run by a zombie boss that somehow sits on a portal to other worlds. Every day brings new customers, new creatures, and new trouble. It’s weird, funny, and unexpectedly warm.
Are there other Malaysian ghost cartoons like it?
Not quite.Malaysia has tons of ghost stories — pontianak, toyol, hantu raya — but not many that treat them with humour or heart. Kisah Bawah Tanah is one of the first to say, “What if our ghosts weren’t scary… just misunderstood?”
What do ghost cartoons actually teach us?
That everyone wants to be seen — even ghosts.Beneath all the spookiness, these stories remind us that kindness, love, and regret don’t just disappear. They linger. And that’s what makes ghost stories so human.
Why are ghosts such a big part of Kisah Bawah Tanah?
Because ghosts make great mirrors.They reflect everything we leave behind — our memories, our mistakes, our hopes. In Kisah Bawah Tanah, the ghosts aren’t there to scare anyone. They’re just trying to make sense of the world, same as the rest of us.
Is Kisah Bawah Tanah kid-friendly?
Yes — but it’s also for anyone who remembers being a kid. It’s spooky in the fun way, not the nightmare kind. Think Casper meets Ghostbusters with a local twist — full of jokes, surprises, and heart.
Where can I find out more?
You can visit the official Kisah Bawah Tanah website for stories, updates, and peeks behind the scenes.Or drop by the News & Updates section — where you’ll find new articles, fun features, and maybe a few unexpected spirits wandering through.