Kisah Bawah Tanah: Malaysia’s Comedy Cartoon with a Spooky Twist

YT
Oct 3, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Oct 10

What happens when Malaysia’s creepiest ghost stories get a funny makeover? You get Kisah Bawah Tanah — a Malaysian comedy cartoon that mixes scares with laughs, created by Spaceboys Studios together with the ever-creative team at Animasia Studio.

Meet the quirky cast of Kisah Bawah Tanah — a Malaysian comedy cartoon blending folklore, horror, and laughs into one unforgettable 2D animation series.

Skeleton Besties in a World of Folklore

The series follows Zack and Sam, two teenage skeleton best friends just trying to survive growing up. Their world is haunted by Southeast Asia’s supernatural legends, but instead of being terrifying, the encounters spiral into ridiculous, laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a fresh spin on a 2D animation cartoon that’s as silly as it is spooky.

A Fresh Face in Malaysian Animation

Audiences got their first taste of the show at the Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2023, and the response was electric. Unlike most Malaysian cartoons aimed at kids, Kisah Bawah Tanah dares to target teens and young adults — making it one of the first local shows to bring ghost stories and comedy to older audiences.

Fans pose with costumed performers dressed as Pocing and other characters from Kisah Bawah Tanah at a live event booth showcasing the Malaysian comedy cartoon series. — Fans getting up close with *Kisah Bawah Tanah*! Cosplay and live activations bring Malaysia’s comedy cartoon to life beyond the screen.

From Contest Winner to Fan Favorite

This crazy idea started back in 2018 when the project won MDEC’s Intellectual Property Creators Challenge (IPCC). With continued support from MDEC, it has already scooped up awards, like a Silver at Japan’s DigiCON6 Asia Awards, and earned a spotlight at the Asian Animation Summit.

More Than Just a Malaysia's Comedy Cartoon

Kisah Bawah Tanah isn’t stopping at the screen. The creators are cooking up TikTok micro shorts, webcomics, music tracks, merch, and even live activations. It’s not just entertainment — it’s building jobs and opportunities for Malaysia’s animation industry, while proving that our stories can stand tall on the global stage.

This article was originally published by IGN Southeast Asia, on October 3, 2023, written by Dale Dashir.