Malaysian Animation Series You Didn’t Know Were Locally Made

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Kisah Bawah Tanah

3. Upin & Ipin

4. Bola Kampung

5. Chuck Chicken

6. Harry & Bunnie

7. Ejen Ali

8. Didi & Friends

9. What makes Malaysian Animation Series Unique

10. Comparison Table

11. Conclusion

Introduction

Hello from the team behind Kisah Bawah Tanah! 👋

When people think of cartoons, Disney, Pixar, or Japanese anime usually come to mind. But here’s something we’re incredibly proud of: Malaysia has been producing animated series that don’t just entertain us locally, but have also gone on to win fans around the world.

From football in the kampung to spy adventures and slapstick magic tricks, Malaysian animation series are proof that our local talent can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. And we’re humbled that Kisah Bawah Tanahis now part of this exciting story.

Let’s celebrate some of the amazing shows — including ours — that are proudly made in Malaysia.

1. Kisah Bawah Tanah (That’s us!)

• Format: 2D Animation

• Studio: [Our Studio Name]

• First Released: [Upcoming/Recent Release]

• Available in: Malaysia (with plans to grow regionally)

• Platforms: Local TV and streaming

Our pride and joy, Kisah Bawah Tanah, is set in a quirky underground world where oddball characters stumble into hilarious situations. It’s our way of bringing Malaysian humor to life in a style that feels playful, cheeky, and just a little weird — in the best way possible.

✨ Why it stands out:

• We wanted to capture everyday Malaysian humor in cartoon form.

• The underground setting gives it a fresh, different feel.

• It’s our contribution to keeping 2D animation alive and exciting in Malaysia.

  
  

2. Upin & Ipin

• Format: 3D Animation

• Studio: Les’ Copaque Production (founded by Burhanuddin Md Radzi & Hajah Ainon Ariff)

• First Released: 2007

• Available in: Southeast Asia, Middle East, worldwide via YouTube

• Platforms: TV9, MNCTV, Disney Channel Asia, Netflix, YouTube

You can’t talk about Malaysian animation without mentioning Upin & Ipin. These two bald twins started as a Ramadan special but became icons of Malaysian culture. Their kampung life adventures, full of warmth and cheeky laughs, resonate with audiences across Southeast Asia.

✨ Why it stands out:

• Showcases Malaysian traditions and everyday life.

• Beloved by millions on YouTube with billions of views.

• A cultural export we all look up to.

3. Bola Kampung

• Format: 2D → 3D Animation

• Studio: Animasia Studio (founded by Edmund Chan & Raye Lee)

• First Released: 2006 (series), 2013 (Bola Kampung: The Movie)

• Available in: Southeast Asia, Middle East

• Platforms: TV3, Disney Channel Asia

Another classic, Bola Kampung follows Iwan and his friends, kampung kids whose football games always turn into epic, funny adventures. For many Malaysians, this show was a staple growing up — and it even made the leap to the big screen in 2013.

✨ Why it stands out:

• Football + kampung humor = instantly relatable.

• One of the first local series to become a full-length movie.

• A true Malaysian childhood memory.

4. Chuck Chicken

• Format: 2D Animation

• Studio: Animasia Studio

• First Released: 2010 (international rollout in 2016)

• Available in: 50+ countries (China, UK, Latin America, Middle East)

• Platforms: Disney Channel Asia, Netflix, Amazon Prime, CCTV

A kung fu chicken superhero? Only Malaysia could come up with something this delightfully wacky. Chuck Chicken is action-packed, funny, and proudly one of Malaysia’s most successful animation exports, making waves in over 50 countries.

✨ Why it stands out:

• Combines martial arts with slapstick humor.

• A Malaysian series with serious international reach.

• Proof that local ideas can take flight globally.

5. Harry & Bunnie

• Format: 2D Animation (non-dialogue)

• Studio: Animasia Studio

• First Released: 2016

• Available in: 190+ countries

• Platforms: Disney Channel Asia, Netflix, Amazon Prime

We love this one because it’s simple and timeless. Harry & Bunnie is all about a magician and his rabbit… except the rabbit is the real star. With no dialogue, it relies purely on slapstick, making it a hit in nearly 200 countries.

✨ Why it stands out:

• A true Malaysian take on classic slapstick.

• Works everywhere — no translation needed.

• A global hit that proves laughter is universal.

6. Ejen Ali

• Format: 3D Animation

• Studio: WAU Animation (co-founded by Usamah Zaid Yasin, former Upin & Ipin director)

• First Released: 2016 (series), 2019 (Ejen Ali: The Movie)

• Available in: Southeast Asia, Middle East, global via streaming

• Platforms: TV3, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, YouTube

A boy-turned-secret-agent? Sign us up. Ejen Ali blends action, gadgets, and humor into a world-class spy adventure. Its movie broke box office records, proving Malaysian 3D animation can compete with the best.

✨ Why it stands out:

• Fresh, bold storytelling in the spy genre.

• Expanded into movies and global streaming platforms.

• A true benchmark for Malaysian animation quality.

7. Didi & Friends

• Format: 3D Animation

• Studio: Digital Durian (founded by Sinan Ismail & Ahmad Izham Omar)

• First Released: 2014

• Available in: Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, worldwide via YouTube

• Platforms: Astro Ceria, YouTube, Netflix Kids

Didi & Friends is a preschool powerhouse. With colorful characters and catchy nursery rhymes, it’s a show that entertains kids while sneaking in valuable lessons. Parents might pretend they don’t watch it… but we all know the songs get stuck in your head. 🎶

✨ Why it stands out:

• Makes learning fun and musical.

• Hugely popular with kids and parents across Asia.

• A great example of Malaysian edutainment done right.

What Makes Malaysian Animation Series Unique?

If there’s one thing that ties all these shows together, it’s this: they feel like us. From kampung stories in Upin & Ipin to football matches in Bola Kampung and the cheeky underground humor of Kisah Bawah Tanah, these are stories born from Malaysian culture, told in ways the world can enjoy.

And while each series has its own style — slapstick, action, education — they all prove that Malaysian creativity knows no borders.

Comparison Table

Series	Studio	Format	First Released	Available Region	Streaming Platforms
Kisah Bawah Tanah	Animasia Studio	2D animation	To be announced	To be announced	To be announced
Upin & Ipin	Les’ Copaque	3D Animation	2007	SEA, Middle East, global	TV9, MNCTV, Disney, Netflix, YouTube
Bola Kampung	Animasia Studio	2D & 3D animation	2006	SEA, Middle East, global	TV3, Disney Channel Asia
Chuck Chicken	Animasia Studio	2D animation	2010	50+ countries	Disney Channel, Netflix, CCTV, Prime
Harry & Bunnies	Animasia Studio	2D animation	2016	190+ countries	Disney Channel, Netflix, Prime
Ejen Ali	WAU Animation	3D Animation	2016	SEA, Middle East, global	TV3, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, YouTube
Didi & Friends	Digital Durian	3D Animation	2014	SEA, global	Astro Ceria, Netflix Kids, YouTube

Conclusion

Here’s the truth: Malaysian animation has come a long way. From two little twins in a kampung to a spy kid on Disney+, these series prove that Malaysian creativity is just as capable — and just as entertaining — as anything from Hollywood or Japan.

So the next time you’re scrolling Netflix, watching Disney+, or even humming along to a children’s song on YouTube, remember: that show might just be proudly Made in Malaysia. 🇲🇾✨