Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd and Bawah Tanah Sdn Bhd announce a new collaborative partnership with Komet Productions Sdn Bhd to expand the upcoming Kisah Bawah Tanah animated series into a major Southeast Asian IP. The show reimagines spooky folktales from around the region for all ages.
Currently in production, the 26 x 11′ horror-comedy follows best friends Sam and Zack as they navigate a world teeming with creatures that have long haunted the imaginations of peoples across Southeast Asia. Season 1 is set to launch in 2025.
In addition to providing creative and production guidance, Komet will play a key role in expanding the IP through licensing, promotions, distribution and merchandising activity. The company aims to build Kisah Bawah Tanah into a multimedia franchise across video games, spin-off micro-series, on-the-ground attractions, music and even feature film development.
Komet is headed by Ahmad Izham Omar, an industry veteran who previously served as CEO of Primeworks Studios and Executive Director of Content & Creative at Disney+ Southeast Asia. “We view Kisah Bawah Tanah as a pivotal step in maturing Malaysian animation beyond the children’s market. We’re blending horror, comedy, and our rich local folklore to create animation that entertains and resonates with audiences worldwide,” Omar said.
“Komet’s creative energy is a perfect match for the madcap humor of Kisah Bawah Tanah,” series co-creator Hendra Wardi added. “With their support, our ambitions have grown, and we’re confident that this collaboration will propel the series and brand to new heights. Everyone has stories that spooked them as kids, and now it’s time to share the ones that have resonated through generations here in Southeast Asia.”
Edmund Chan, Managing Director of Animasia Studio Sdn Bhd, said, “Ahmad Izham is known for being highly selective with his projects and Komet’s deep dive into the Kisah Bawah Tanah brand is a testament to its potential. We can’t wait to see where this partnership will take us and we’re ready to revolutionize the landscape of Malaysian animation once again.”
Kisah Bawah Tanah, a co-production between Animasia Studios and Spaceboy Studios, emerged as the winner of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation’s (MDEC) 2018 Intellectual Property Creators Challenge contest and has since received ongoing support from MDEC’s Digital Content Grant program.
