At the turn of the century, Malaysia’s animation industry was known chiefly for its service work. Today, it is the largest creator of local content characters in Southeast Asia, according to a recent report on the region’s animation production. Its hit films and shows are exported across the region and beyond, with some securing global distribution.
This remarkable turnaround was driven by the country’s enterprising studios, which are increasingly parlaying their industry experience into original IP creation. Credit is also due to the government agency Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a tireless champion of Malaysian animation, which provides a range of financial and professional support to artists and producers. (For more information on MDEC’s initiatives, read our recent article on the organization.)