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New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ejen Ali a highlight of Malaysia's creative talent at Osaka World Expo
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's beloved animated character, Ejen Ali, continues to make history, having been honoured with the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the prestigious World Expo 2025 currently taking place in Osaka, Japan. Symbolising the aspirations of Malaysian youth in the digital era and the future of technology, Ejen Ali's involvement on this international stage not only brings immense pride to the local animation industry but also showcases the growing global recognition of Malaysia's creative talent. Ejen Ali and Ejen Alicia's presence at the Malaysia Pavilion has proven to be an extraordinary draw. Visitors from various countries have been observed queuing for long periods just for the chance to meet and take photos with these animated heroes. The enthusiastic reception demonstrates the global appeal of this homegrown intellectual property (IP) by Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation. Representing the strength of Malaysia's creative industry, Ejen Ali conveys universal messages rooted in courage, integrity, and loyalty – values that are easily understood and embraced across different cultures. A statement from the creators highlighted that even though many visitors in Osaka were encountering the character for the first time, the dynamic visuals and spirited narrative on display immediately captured their attention. "Among the most heartwarming moments was when a Japanese child returned to the booth after watching a trailer and excitedly declared, 'I want to be like him!' "This moment perfectly illustrates Ejen Ali's subtle yet effective ability to convey Malaysian aspirations, inspiration, and identity," it said. Ejen Ali The Movie 2 director and Chief Content Officer of Wau Animation, Usamah Zaid Yasin, also visited the Malaysia Pavilion on July 21 and 22. He also took part in a special sharing session, revealing the creative process behind the development of the Ejen Ali franchise and WAU Animation's vision for producing world-class animated content. The session received an overwhelming response from visitors of diverse backgrounds, including Japanese creative industry professionals who expressed keen interest in learning more about the IP, thereby opening doors for future international collaborations and partnerships. The World Expo 2025, currently running until Oct 13, is expected to welcome over 28 million visitors from across the globe. As a platform that unites international ideas, technology, and cultures, Ejen Ali's participation strengthens Malaysia's position in creative content, digital education, and cultural diplomacy on a global scale.
The Star
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Hit movie 'Ejen Ali' goes international - unlocks successful mission at World Expo 2025 in Osaka
The nation's most famous animated character, Ejen Ali, continues to create history of his own when he has been given the honour of representing Malaysia at the prestigious World Expo 2025 currently taking place in Osaka, Japan. As a symbol of the aspirations of young Malaysians in the digital and technological era of the future, Ejen Ali's involvement on the international stage not only makes the local animation industry proud, but also symbolizes the progress of the country's creative talent, which is increasingly gaining a place in the eyes of the world. The presence of Agent Ali and Agent Alicia at the Malaysian Pavilion highlighted the extraordinary attraction as visitors from various countries were seen lining up for a chance to meet and take pictures with these animated heroes. The response received clearly illustrates the global appeal of this local IP. Representing the strength of Malaysia's creative industry, Ejen Ali comes forward with a universal message based on the values of courage, integrity and loyalty that is easily understood and accepted across cultures. Although many visitors to Osaka were new to the character, the dynamic visuals and passionate narrative on display immediately captured their attention. In fact, many continued to search for more information about the series online, reflecting the rapid and profound impact that Agent Ali had on th local comic fans. Usamah Zaid Yasin, the director of "Ejen Ali The Movie 2" and Chief Content Officer of WAU Animation, also attended the Malaysia Pavilion on 21 and 22 July 2025. His presence was followed by a special sharing session that revealed the creative process behind the development of the Ejen Ali franchise as well as WAU Animation's vision in developing world-class animated content. The session received an encouraging response from visitors from various backgrounds, including Japanese creative industry activists who expressed interest in learning more about this IP, thus opening up space for cooperation and the possibility of international collaboration in the future. The prestigious World Expo 2025 event runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025, and is expected to welcome more than 28 million visitors from around the world. As a platform that brings together international ideas, technology and culture, Ejen Ali's participation strengthens Malaysia's position in the fields of creative content, digital education and cultural diplomacy at the global level. For the record, Ejen Ali 2 grossed more than RM60 million at the box office and was officially crowned as the highest-grossing animated film in the history of Malaysian cinema, surpassing all local and international animated works that have ever been screened in the country. It also returned impressive numbers in Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore before achieving the limelight in Osaka.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Ejen Ali 2: Hit movie scores big in Indonesia as versatile actor Azman Zulkiply continues to shine as voice actor
Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a 'mandatory screening' system like Malaysia. "We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience,' he told Bernama. Usamah attributed the film's early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. In another development, there is no doubt that Rizwan's character in Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2) is one of the characters that most captured the audience's attention, not only because of his solid fighting skills, but also because of his cool appearance and gruff voice. Behind this character stands the figure of a very experienced and versatile actor, Azman Zulkiply. Interestingly, Rizwan is not the only character voiced by Azman in EATM2. He also plays the roles of General Rama and Viktor, each representing three different racial backgrounds, namely Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Of course, it is not easy to bring a character to life with different speaking styles and accents, but Azman said he loved the experience. "This is my proudest achievement in my career. (EATM2) What a ride, the opportunity to play three characters was an amazing experience," said Azman in a special interview. "I have many friends. Malays, Chinese and Indians, they are amazing people. That is why this country is so great. It is my utmost honour that I could voice over for all three characters. "I thank the EATM 2 team for giving me this opportunity, it is something I will never forget," added Azman. Even more impressive is that Azman has been voicing these three characters for almost a decade, spanning more than half of his career in voice acting, and it also makes it easier for him to delve deeply into each character and give each one a unique touch. "Being involved here is one of the happiest moments of my career. I'm so glad EATM 2 is also doing so well in many countries besides Malaysia. The support is wonderful and I hope we keep on going for more," Said Azman. For the record, EATM 2 is produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS). The film, which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Ejen Ali The Movie 2' scores big in Indonesia, screening in 240 cinemas
KUALA LUMPUR: Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a 'mandatory screening' system like Malaysia. "We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors, and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience," he told Bernama. Usamah attributed the film's early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. Reflecting on the challenges of international expansion, Usamah said assembling the right collaborators was critical. "The first movie had a smaller scale and limited traction. This time, with stronger backing from Media Prima and our Indonesian partners, we saw a leap in visibility and cinema presence," he said. He added that dedicated media strategies and a better understanding of the local market helped drive engagement and ticket sales, hoping it would set a stronger foundation for Malaysian creative works to reach wider audiences abroad. Produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS), the film, which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline.
Sinar Daily
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Ejen Ali 2 scores big in Indonesia, expands to 240 cinemas nationwide
In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. 03 Jul 2025 09:21am Ejen Ali The Movie 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. KUALA LUMPUR - Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (EATM2), the highly anticipated sequel to Malaysia's hit animated feature, is enjoying a strong run in Indonesia, with its theatrical release now extended to 240 cinemas, more than triple the number when it premiered on June 27. In just five days, the film has attracted over 174,000 moviegoers of all ages, especially children, marking a significant milestone for the homegrown animation in a competitive entertainment market. WAU Animation chief executive officer and EATM2 director Usamah Zaid Yasin said the team had not expected such an overwhelming reception, particularly as Indonesia does not operate a 'mandatory screening' system like Malaysia. "We entered the market at the perfect time during the school holidays, backed by strong local partnerships, distributors and a communications agency that truly understands the Indonesian audience," he told Bernama. Usamah attributed the film's early momentum to the loyal Ejen Ali digital fanbase in Indonesia, cultivated over the years through YouTube and social media, alongside strategic collaborations with Indonesian animation studios and a soundtrack feature with popular local band Nidji. He said these localisation efforts gave the film a familiar touch and a sense of ownership for Indonesian viewers, and he expects viewership to continue rising in the coming weeks. With momentum building, EATM2 is expected to debut in Cambodia, following recent successful runs in Singapore and Brunei, cementing its growing regional footprint. Reflecting on the challenges of international expansion, Usamah said assembling the right collaborators was critical. "The first movie had a smaller scale and limited traction. This time, with stronger backing from Media Prima and our Indonesian partners, we saw a leap in visibility and cinema presence," he said. He added that dedicated media strategies and a better understanding of the local market helped drive engagement and ticket sales, hoping it would set a stronger foundation for Malaysian creative works to reach wider audiences abroad. Produced by WAU Animation in collaboration with Primeworks Studios (PWS), the film which follows the story of a 12-year-old boy who accidentally becomes a spy, has grossed nearly RM60 million to date, with more regional releases in the pipeline. - BERNAMA
