The production team behind Malaysia’s acclaimed animated film Ejen Ali The Movie is open to collaborating with Japanese companies to strengthen storytelling, enhance production quality, and expand the global reach of the homegrown franchise.
Media Prima Television Networks and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer, Nini Yusof, said the production received encouraging feedback from Japanese animation professionals and filmmakers who recognised the film’s high production standards during presentations and engagement sessions at the Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM) 2025, currently ongoing now.
According to Nini, several aspects could be improved through collaboration – including better scriptwriting, talent and technology exchange, distribution and marketing strategies.
"The important part now is to include more emotional elements that touch the audience’s hearts. If we compare the first and second films, the tone is different – the sequel has more action and a more complex plot,” she told Bernama.
"But as we plan the third sequel, we’re exploring how to add certain elements that can attract new target audiences, especially female viewers,” she added.
Nini was met at TIFFCOM, held in conjunction with the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival taking place from Oct 27 to Nov 5.
She was among the panellists in a seminar titled Soaring Dreams in ASEAN Animations, which also featured Cristian Imanuell, producer of Indonesia’s animated film Jumbo; Shanty Harmayn, producer of Garuda: Dare to Dream; Japanese animation journalist Tadashi Sudo; and Lorna Tee, Secretary-General of the Asian Film Alliance Network, who moderated the session.
Nini said Malaysia’s participation in the event offered a valuable opportunity to showcase local animation talent on the international stage, describing TIFFCOM as a prestigious platform for engaging with global animation industry players.
She emphasised that collaboration with Japan is vital as its animation market is mature and globally influential. Capturing the attention of Japanese audiences, she noted, would add significant value to Malaysia’s animation franchises.
"Although Ejen Ali primarily targets audiences in Malaysia and the Nusantara region, we see the markets in Japan, South Korea, and China as additional opportunities for global expansion,” she said.
During the same seminar, Sudo praised the rapidly growing potential of Southeast Asian animation, citing the region’s improving market, rising quality, and creative storytelling. He described Ejen Ali and other regional works as strong contenders to lead the industry in the coming years.
Sudo highlighted that collaborations between Japan and other countries could strengthen the global influence of animation, as Japan has an extensive distribution network and decades of experience in bringing animated works to international audiences.
"With the combination of local creativity and Japan’s distribution strength, animation can reach a wider audience and attract new markets,” he said, adding that more high-quality works are likely to emerge in the next five to ten years.
First released as a TV series in 2016, Ejen Ali has since been streamed globally via Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Disney Asia. It was later adapted into a feature film in 2019, followed by a blockbuster sequel in May this year that grossed over RM60mil at the box office.
As Malaysia’s most successful animated franchise continues to gain international attention, Ejen Ali’s pursuit of partnerships beyond its borders signals the country’s growing confidence in its creative capabilities.
With fresh storytelling perspectives and strategic global collaborations, the franchise is not only charting a new chapter for itself – but also paving the way for Malaysian animation to take its rightful place on the world stage. – Bernama
