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.
AloJapan.com