Animasia Animation Studio, Bawah Tanah & Komet team up to Expand Kisah Bawah Tanah Funny Cartoon!

KUALA LUMPUR – Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd and Bawah Tanah Sdn Bhd are joining forces with Komet Productions Sdn Bhd to take Kisah Bawah Tanah to the next level. The upcoming animated series promises a mix of scares and laughs, turning Southeast Asia’s spookiest folktales into a funny cartoon for all ages.

Spooky, Silly, and Very Southeast Asian Funny Cartoon

Currently in production, the show follows best friends Sam and Zack as they stumble through a world filled with ghosts and creatures inspired by regional legends. With its unique blend of horror and comedy, Kisah Bawah Tanah feels like a truly Malaysian cartoon — rooted in local culture but created for audiences everywhere. Season 1 is set to launch in 2025.

Poster of Kisah Bawah Tanah, a Malaysian funny cartoon animated series reimagining Southeast Asian folklore, produced by Animasia Studio and Komet.

Why Komet?

Komet Productions, led by Ahmad Izham Omar — formerly CEO of Primeworks Studios and Executive Director of Content & Creative at Disney+ Southeast Asia — will be helping to shape not just the show, but the brand as a whole. Beyond production guidance, Komet will focus on licensing, distribution, and expanding the world of Kisah Bawah Tanah into games, attractions, music, and maybe even movies.

“We see Kisah Bawah Tanah as a big step in moving Malaysian animation beyond just children’s shows,” said Izham. “It’s a rare chance to make an animated series that’s scary, silly, and relatable — something that can connect with audiences worldwide.”

Growing the Madness

Series co-creator Hendra Wardi couldn’t agree more:“Komet’s energy is a perfect match for the madcap humor we’ve been building into the show. With their support, we feel braver about going bigger — whether it’s more laughs, more scares, or more ways to share these stories. Everyone remembers a ghost story from their childhood. Kisah Bawah Tanah is our way of bringing those to life with a comedic twist.”

Edmund Chan, Managing Director of Animasia Animation Studio, added:“Ahmad Izham is very selective about the projects he takes on. For him to put Komet’s weight behind Kisah Bawah Tanah says a lot about the potential. As a studio, we’re excited to once again push boundaries and show what a Malaysian cartoon can achieve.”

From Contest Winner to Regional Franchise

Kisah Bawah Tanah began as a winning concept in Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation’s (MDEC) 2018 Intellectual Property Creators Challenge. With ongoing support from MDEC’s Digital Content Grant program, the project has grown steadily into one of Malaysia’s most anticipated funny cartoons.

Now, with Komet’s backing, the team believes the series could evolve into a full multimedia franchise — spanning spin-offs, merchandise, and much more.

This article was originally published by Animation Magazine on August 1, 2024, written by Mercedes Milligan.