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Malay Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Ujang's next chapter: How Malaysia's cartoon pioneer reinvented himself after losing his creations
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — In the pre-social media landscape of 1980s and '90s Malaysia, entertainment often came from television cartoons, outdoor activities, and the simple joy of a good comic book. Amidst international titles, one local comic magazine truly resonated nationwide, its name still fondly remembered by those who grew up in that era: Ujang. This iconic magazine was brought to life by Malaysian cartoonist Ibrahim Anon, 59, known widely by his pen name, Ujang. A familiar name in the local cartoon scene, he was celebrated for his humour, storytelling, and art that distinctly highlighted Malaysian identity. The magazine famously introduced characters like Usop Sontorian, later adapted into a beloved animated series co-created by Ujang himself and the late Kamn Ismail. The popularity of Usop Sontorian, and later Keluang Man, is a testament to their cultural impact — as those who grew up in that period would likely attest. 'Even today, many decades later, when I attend book exhibitions or pameran kartun (cartoon exhibition) events, people still remember me as the creator of Usop Sontorian. It's not just the adults who grew up with it — even children from this generation know these characters,' Ujang said. The classic and popular 90s Ujang magazine on display, which was brought to life by Ujang himself. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Decades have passed since the series stopped airing and the Ujang magazine ceased publication. The journey has not been easy for the cartoonist, who has faced bankruptcy, lawsuits, and the loss of rights to his past creations, which are now registered under different ownership. 'Back in 1993, none of my works were registered under the Copyright Act 1987,' Ujang recalled. 'I was naive and unaware of how to protect my intellectual property, and there wasn't much awareness about it at the time.' Ujang 2.0: Life after the limelight Fast forward to 2025, Ujang has since explored diverse ventures. He partnered with MCT Official to organise Monsoon Casting, a fishing tournament held during Malaysia's monsoon season, typically in Terengganu. He has also ventured into the gold bar business, collaborating with KABGold to produce limited edition 0.5g and 1g gold bars featuring his artwork. Despite branching out, Ujang's cartoonist spirit remains undiminished. 'I still do the artwork for banners at the Monsoon Casting events,' he said. 'The same goes for my venture into gold bars; if it involves any artwork, I'll be the one drawing it.' He has also produced a five-episode anti-drug animated short titled Lebih Baik Cegah: Adiwira Penegak Keamanan. Today, he continues to draw and create animations, primarily using software like Autodesk, sharing his art on Facebook and TikTok — not as a business, but as a personal passion. Ujang's artwork when venturing into the gold bar business with KABGold. — Photo courtesy of Ujang Then vs Now: Ujang on the evolution of Malaysia's comic scene Ujang observes a growing wave of young Malaysians pursuing careers in cartooning. 'There were many aspiring cartoonists in the past, but now there are even more — because they have the facilities,' he noted. According to Ujang, digital platforms have opened new avenues for artists to build careers and publish their work independently. 'Back then, artists had the talent and the passion, but they often lacked the platform. The only way to get a comic published was through a traditional publisher, and only if it was accepted,' he explained. When asked for advice for today's local comic artists, Ujang humbly demurred. 'I believe young people today are so knowledgeable that it's no longer the older generation guiding the young, but often the other way around.' The Ghibli Effect: Why Ujang thinks anime still rules 2D for Malaysians Ujang personally feels that when it comes to 2D animation, Malaysians are often more drawn to Japanese anime, particularly the works of studios like Studio Ghibli. While 2D animation is still loved, he notes that many local animators have shifted their focus to creating 3D animation. Ujang sketches a character on the spot after an interview with Malay Mail. — Picture by Firdaus Latif 'It's not that the appreciation for 2D has vanished — rather, the success and opportunities in 3D animation have encouraged many to pursue it instead,' he explained. According to Ujang, very few local animators now specialize in 2D, with 3D having become the dominant medium, partly due to limited opportunities in traditional 2D. However, he remains optimistic, stating that today's Malaysian animation has the potential to reach Hollywood standards. Still in the picture In addition to his artistic pursuits, Ujang — no stranger to the film industry, having appeared in the 1996 film Yes Tuan — is set to play a small role in the upcoming live-action series Metaloka by Anithink Studios, scheduled for release later this year. When asked if he would ever return to being a full-time cartoonist, he replied, 'I'm tired and in a very happy place now, so I would only continue drawing for fun.' They say you should never forget those who opened doors — and Ujang was undeniably one of them. He helped pave the way for Malaysia's comic and animation scene, and he remains just as excited to see where it goes from here.
Hype Malaysia
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Netizens Discuss 'Disappointing' Box Office Performance Of Local Superhero Film 'Keluang Man'
The crime-fighting, almost mentally deranged Malaysian superhero, 'Keluang Man', has piqued nationwide interest with its all-out marketing, playing into the hype of superhero movies such as Thunderbolts and Superman. The idea of mixing Batman into a Malaysian concoction of a superhero could very well be a recipe for success, but would it reflect on the box office stats? With three weeks in, Astro Shaw's 'Keluang Man' had reportedly collected a RM2.4 million gross in the last 18 days of showing. The chart prepared by FINAS lines up the list of Malaysian movies, including the likes of 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria' and 'Gayong'. According to reports, the production and marketing costs of the film amounted to RM13 million. Despite being under the Compulsory Screen Scheme and produced by a mega film company, Astro Shaw, the performance of the movie proved to be far from expectations. Reports also state that the movie had only attracted up to 141,000 viewers since its premiere on 29th May 2025. Astro Shaw Head, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, explains that despite its low viewership, the main focus of the movie is not solely to collect figures but is about paving a new direction for Malaysian films. 'For us, this project is an effort to open a new path for local superhero films. 'Keluang Man' is not just a collection, but about a new direction', he adds. Netizens were more than quick to chime in on why the reception was low, linking it to unsuitable premiere dates and lack of interest from younger generations. Twitter user @/duniainiboneka comments, 'Generational gap. Gen Z and Gen Alpha don't care about 'Keluang Man'. They should have created an animation first to slowly introduce the concept to the new generation'. Another Twitter user @/al_harith comments, 'Ejen Ali's premiere timing was really good as it was during the school break. Mom and dads don't really care if the movie isn't good, as long as the kids have fun'. A quick search on today's reports from FINAS on the 'Keluang Man' grossing shows that the film has gained over 1.3 million in a day, with a gross of RM3.8 million as of 19th June 2025. Could this be a step toward turning the tide for our Malaysian superhero? Source: Kosmo!, Twitter Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Astro Shaw says no decision yet on Naim Daniel as Tiong Man
19 June - Despite speculations about Naim Daniel playing Tiong Man, the sidekick of the '90s animated superhero Keluang Man, Astro Shaw has denied ever making any decision regarding the casting. Head of Astro Shaw and "Keluang Man" executive producer, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad recently responded to questions about Naim's involvement, saying that they will only make an announcement when there are actual confirmations. "So Naim Daniel is not Tiong Man. Not at this moment," she said. Raja Jastina also stated that the "Keluang Man" creative team is still working on the storyline and characters that will appear in the sequel to the film. "What you see in the movie Keluang Man is not necessarily what you think. Anything can happen. You have to wait and see what happens next," she explained. Speculations about Naim playing the said sidekick sparked after he appeared in several scenes in the movie. It was further fuelled by the actor sharing a photo of him with the Keluang Man logo, which he captioned with a bird and wind emoji. Many took it as him confirming that he will be playing Tiong Man, whose name is the Malay word for the mynah bird. The issue as to whether Naim will play the role in the next instalment or not sparked after the singer-actor was charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. He has pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court recently. (Photo Source: Cinema Online, Naim Daniel IG)
Malay Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria' vs ‘Keluang Man' – which will prevail?
JUNE 14 — While we're now knee deep into the Hollywood summer movie season, with plenty of heavyweight Hollywood titles duking it out in Malaysian cinemas right now like the newly-opened Ballerina, How To Train Your Dragon and Karate Kid: Legends, who'd have thought that we'd get to witness the Malaysian version of blockbuster battles as well in the last few weeks when both Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria and Keluang Man opened within a week of each other to compete for the hearts and wallets of fellow Malaysians? Box-office wise, I think it's pretty clear that Ejen Ali 2 is the winner here, banking RM50.7 million after 18 days, and with nothing yet officially announced in terms of box-office for Keluang Man after almost two weeks, it's probably not making as much, otherwise the numbers would've been officially announced ASAP to drum up more interest for people to go and see it in cinemas. Still, numbers aren't everything when it comes to movies. Quality, approachability and enjoyment are also very important factors in determining both the critical and commercial success of a mainstream film, so let's dive in and see who's the winner in this regard as well, shall we? Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria If I had kids, I'd probably have watched every single season of Ejen Ali (there are three of them so far, if I'm not mistaken), and would have been in possession of an even deeper understanding of the lore and characters involved in this hugely successful animated franchise from local studio WAU Animation. I walked into the first Ejen Ali The Movie without having watched a single episode of the series and was still mightily impressed and cried buckets (like I sometimes do watching Pixar movies) a few years back. So, when Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria was finally announced, of course I was more than excited to check it out and see if the new movie would be as impressive as the first one. Chronologically taking place after the events of the first movie and Season 3 of the series (which I haven't watched), this movie finds Ali no longer wielding the IRIS suit, which is now being used by Alicia (a new development courtesy of Season 3 of the series) and is now becoming the pilot of SATRIA, a new experimental armoured suit that uses AI to enhance both physical and mental capabilities. The villain this time around is a hacker named Neonimus, who at first appears to be the main threat to Cyberaya but will later be revealed to be a mere pawn in what is a larger plot being planned by unknown forces. The film's B story involves former agent Rizwan, who independently tries to track down and uncover who the puppet master is behind these nefarious schemes. Packed to the brim with some visually impressive action sequences, my experience of watching Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria is akin to what I felt whilst watching Ne Zha 2, kinetic and visually exciting experiences that somehow lacked that bit of heart that made the first movie such a magical experience in the first place. The kids will love this one, but the adults would probably have wished for a stronger emotional core to keep them interested, like the best of Pixar does and has done for us many times before. YouTube screenshot of a scene from the trailer of 'Keluang Man' Keluang Man As a 90s kid, local cartoon series like Keluang Man and Usop Sontorian were staples of my TV diet back then. I won't call myself a hardcore fan or anything like that, but if I happen to be in front of the TV when these shows come on, you can bet that I'd sit down and watch them from beginning to end. There was something very Malaysian about both series' sensitivities and sense of humour. Of course that being a very long time ago, I'll also have to admit that I remember very, very little about the details in both series. Naturally, when a 'live' action Keluang Man movie was announced, the 90s kid in me couldn't help but get quite excited to see how that would turn out. And when the minds behind this new adaptation turned out to be quite a few of the same people behind the hit series Project High Council and some of the Polis Evo movies, I was even more excited. Starring Nas-T as Borhan, a patient at a mental hospital in Tampoi who also moonlights as the masked crime fighter Keluang Man, director Anwari Ashraf has crafted a superhero origin story that's part action movie, part irreverent comedy, and full of 90s pop culture references and needle drop moments that any 90s kid would be delighted to watch. However, that delightful advantage is also potentially a double-edged sword as people who are not 90s kids will very probably not be able to catch all these little jokes and references, and be baffled as to why these uncles and aunties are laughing so hard at this joke that they do not understand at all. As a 90s kid, yes, I had a grand old time watching this movie, so kudos to Anwari and the whole team for coming up with such a lovable update of a much-cherished time capsule, but with most of the 90s kids already being dragged by their kids (and maybe even grandkids) to watch Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Misi Satria in the cinema, I do fear for the box-office prospects of Keluang Man.
Malay Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's original superhero returns: Astro Shaw unveils next phase of ‘Keluang Man' franchise with ‘Baling' film, new live-action series
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — It has been several weeks since the May 29 nationwide release of the much-anticipated live-action film featuring Malaysia's original superhero, Keluang Man. Since its debut, the majority of Malaysians have shown great appreciation for the film, with many praising its nostalgic '90s vibe and the distinctly Malaysian soundtrack woven throughout. However, the most widespread acclaim has undoubtedly gone to the lead actor Nas Muammar Zar (Nas-T) for his performance as Borhan, also known as Keluang Man, as his portrayal of the character and unique acting style have been especially well received. While the film has received praise, it has also raised questions about the future of the Keluang Man franchise and the broader Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe (ASCU), which was announced last year. Questions remain about the future development of the concept, in addition to what lies ahead for the Keluang Man franchise. Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, head of Astro Shaw, said that the Keluang Man franchise universe will continue with the film Baling, to be showcased next in the universe. 'While Keluang Man was based on the original 90s animation by Kamn Ismail, Baling will draw from a folklore that many Malaysians may find familiar. 'It will incorporate elements of a Malaysian story that audiences might recognise,' she said, adding, 'It is going to be darker than Keluang Man.' Raja Jastina Raja Arshad stated the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe will continue as planned. — Picture by Choo Choy May As for the Keluang Man films, the sequel will still move forward, but before the planned sequel, a live-action Keluang Man series will be released. 'It's not a continuation; it's something fresh, though the character of Borhan will still be there. "This is the next stage of Keluang Man, and it's slightly different from how we're approaching the next chapter of Keluang Man, which will be presented as an original series," said Jastina. The story is currently in development, but director Answari Ashraf will return to take the lead for the series. The release is tentatively planned for late next year or early the following year, though no official date has been set. Regarding the future of the whole ASCU, Jastina confirmed that it is still moving forward, where characters under Astro Shaw will come together in an ultimate convergence film in 2028. 'There are no changes in terms of what we're planning to deliver. It's just that we might add a few things or move some elements forward.'
