Les' Copaque Production

Les' Copaque Production Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysian animation and audiovisual production company headquartered in Shah Alam, Selangor. It was co-founded in 2005 by Burhanuddin Md Radzi and Ainon Ariff, with a group of former Multimedia University students including Nizam Razak, Usamah Zaid Yasin, Anas Abdul Aziz and Safwan Karim involved in the studio's early development. The company began operations in January 2006 with a small team and grew into one of Malaysia's most visible animation businesses. The studio's defining property is Upin & Ipin, a children's animated series about twin brothers and their family, friends and neighbours. The program was initially developed in connection with the Ramadan and Shawwal festive period and began airing in 2007. Its accessible stories, Malaysian settings, use of Malay language and emphasis on family and community helped it become a major domestic property, while television distribution, online video and licensing extended its reach across Southeast Asia and other international markets. The characters have subsequently appeared in television specials, feature films, merchandise, games and branded experiences. Les' Copaque's film work began with Geng: The Adventure Begins, an animated feature that also introduced Upin and Ipin in a feature-film setting. Released in 2009, Geng became one of the better-known Malaysian animated films and reportedly earned approximately RM6.2 million at the Malaysian box office. The company later produced Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng! in 2016, combining animation with live-action elements. Other animated productions include Pada Zaman Dahulu, a folklore-oriented series that began in 2011, and Puteri, a short-form series about five princess sisters that aired in 2014. The studio also worked with Tsuburaya Productions on Ultraman Ribut, a crossover connected with both the Upin & Ipin and Ultra franchises. The company has expanded beyond television animation. Its activities have included feature-film production, live-action content through LC Film, merchandise and licensing through Les' Copaque Merchandising, animation education through Les' Copaque Animation Academy, game development and food-service ventures using Upin & Ipin branding. In 2018, it entered a content-sharing, distribution and marketing arrangement with Astro covering television, online platforms and events. In 2023, it partnered with Streamline Studios on Upin & Ipin Universe, an open-world console game based on the franchise. Les' Copaque also operates as a talent-development and industry-building organization. Its founders and early employees came from Malaysia's emerging digital-media and animation community, and the studio established an academy to address skills gaps among animation graduates. Its YouTube presence reached 10 million subscribers in 2020, earning a Diamond Play Button and making the channel the first Malaysian YouTube channel reported to reach that threshold. The company remains active in animation, film, licensing, education, games and entertainment experiences, with its business identity closely tied to locally rooted Malaysian storytelling.

Les' Copaque Production was established on 12 December 2005 by Burhanuddin Md Radzi and his wife, Ainon Ariff. Burhanuddin had previously spent two decades in Malaysia's oil and gas sector. The company started operations in January 2006 with four employees and was supported by former Multimedia University students Nizam Razak, Usamah Zaid Yasin, Anas Abdul Aziz and Safwan Karim. Several of those early team members later left to establish or join other Malaysian animation ventures, contributing to the wider development of the country's animation ecosystem. The name Les' Copaque was derived from the Malay expression “last kopek,” meaning a final opportunity or last chance. Burhanuddin explained that the altered spelling was intended to give the name an international sound. The company's logo is a yellow frog called Si Polan sitting on a coconut shell. The image refers to the Malay proverb “bagai katak di bawah tempurung,” commonly translated as a frog under a coconut shell, while the studio associates it with thinking beyond limitations and pursuing ambitious ideas. In its early period, the studio developed Misi Mustahak, which received recognition at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards and the Malaysian Video Awards. It also developed the animated feature Geng: The Adventure Begins. The project was made alongside the creation of Upin & Ipin, a television series launched in 2007. Upin & Ipin's focus on twin brothers, everyday family life, Malaysian customs and child-friendly moral themes gave the company a durable flagship franchise. Geng was released on 12 February 2009 and reportedly earned about RM6.2 million, making it one of the more successful Malaysian films of its period. The company broadened its commercial model in late 2007 by establishing a merchandising operation selling products such as clothing and mugs. In 2009, it created the LC Film subsidiary, initially known as Bruang Filem, to produce live-action programs, television dramas and films. Its first release was Zaiton: Ceritaku, a biographical film about singer Zaiton Sameon. Other live-action projects included Makcik Bawang and Jiwa Tanpa Jiwa. Les' Copaque explored international co-production in 2007 through an agreement with Zhongnan Group Animation Video for a planned 90-minute 3D film, The Essential Art of War. The project was later abandoned. The company also announced several proposed Upin & Ipin films, including Upin & Ipin: Angkasa and Laksamana Upin & Ipin. Both projects were ultimately cancelled, with financial and scheduling conditions cited in the account of the studio's history. The concept was eventually replaced by Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng!, released in 2016. Pada Zaman Dahulu premiered in 2011. The series adapted well-known local animal stories in a format distinct from Upin & Ipin and was broadcast on TV Alhijrah. It has been described as Malaysia's first animated series to use computer-animation techniques. In 2014, Les' Copaque launched Les' Copaque Animation Academy to provide more focused training for aspiring artists and animators. The same year, it worked with Tsuburaya Productions on Ultraman Ribut, a crossover linking the Upin & Ipin property with the Ultra Series. Puteri, a six-episode short-form series about five princess sisters from Limau, also aired in 2014 and later received the Grand Prize at the 2015 ASEAN Character Awards. The studio entered a content-sharing, distribution and marketing partnership with Astro on 30 October 2018. The arrangement made productions including Upin & Ipin and Pada Zaman Dahulu available to Astro and NJOI audiences through television, online services and physical events. In March 2019, Les' Copaque signed a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing Animation and Gaming Industry Association concerning cooperation in animation and video games. Digital distribution became increasingly important to the company. Its YouTube channel reached 10 million subscribers in 2020, earning the Diamond Play Button and making it the first Malaysian channel reported to reach that milestone. In 2023, the studio partnered with Streamline Studios on Upin & Ipin Universe, an open-world interactive game planned for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games. The game was initially associated with a 2024 release window and was subsequently reported as expected in 2025. The studio's later feature-film work included Dongeng Sang Kancil, completed over approximately two years and released on 26 December 2024. The film follows the anthropomorphic mousedeer Sang Kancil as he seeks justice and joins other animals against the Dark Shadow. It was presented as the first Malaysian animated film to combine 2D special effects with 3D hybrid techniques. Les' Copaque has also continued to develop merchandising, games, education, food-service and training activities through affiliated operations. A 20th-anniversary program, LCXpo 2025, was announced for December 2025, together with plans for an Upin & Ipin theme park at King's Park in Genting Highlands; the opening date of the park was not specified.

1. 2024Dongeng Sang Kancil released

   The studio released a hybrid 2D and 3D animated feature based on the Sang Kancil folklore tradition.

   Source
2. 2023Upin & Ipin Universe announced

   Les' Copaque partnered with Streamline Studios on an open-world game based on Upin & Ipin.

   Source
3. 2020YouTube channel reaches 10 million subscribers

   The company's channel received a Diamond Play Button after reaching 10 million subscribers.

   Source
4. 2018Astro distribution partnership

   The studio signed an agreement with Astro covering content sharing, distribution and marketing.

   Source
5. 2014Academy and crossover expansion

   Les' Copaque established its animation academy and produced Ultraman Ribut with Tsuburaya Productions. It also introduced Puteri.

   Source
6. 2011Pada Zaman Dahulu begins airing

   The folklore-based animated series premiered on TV Alhijrah.

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7. 2009Geng: The Adventure Begins released

   The studio released its first major animated feature, which featured Upin and Ipin and achieved notable Malaysian box-office success.

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8. 2007Upin & Ipin debuts

   The studio launched Upin & Ipin, the franchise that became its central television and licensing property.

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9. 2006Operations begin and early awards

   The studio began operations in January with a small team. Its early project Misi Mustahak received recognition at the APICTA Awards and Malaysian Video Awards.

   Source
10. 2005Company founded

    Burhanuddin Md Radzi and Ainon Ariff co-founded Les' Copaque Production on 12 December.

    Source

A Malaysian family-entertainment and animation studio centered on locally grounded stories, recurring character franchises, children’s content and cross-platform licensing.

• Upin & IpinAnimated television and digital series2007

  The studio's flagship children's franchise follows twin brothers Upin and Ipin as they experience everyday life with their family, friends and neighbours. Its Malaysian cultural setting, seasonal stories and accessible humor made it a core television property and supported expansion into films, merchandise, online video, games and branded experiences.

• Geng: The Adventure BeginsAnimated feature film2009

  Les' Copaque's first major animated feature is an adventure story that also features the Upin & Ipin characters. Released in 2009, it became one of the studio's landmark productions and achieved notable commercial performance in Malaysia.

• Pada Zaman DahuluAnimated television series2011

  A folklore-oriented series that presents familiar local animal tales in a format separate from Upin & Ipin. It began airing on TV Alhijrah in 2011 and expanded the studio's use of Malaysian cultural and storytelling traditions.

• PuteriShort-form animated series2014

  Puteri is a six-episode series about five princess sisters from Limau. It aired on TV3 in November 2014 and received the Grand Prize at the 2015 ASEAN Character Awards.

• Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng!Animated and live-action feature film2016

  Released in 2016, this feature replaced earlier cancelled Upin & Ipin film projects and expanded the franchise into a format combining animation with live-action elements.

• Dongeng Sang KancilAnimated feature film2024

  This feature follows the mousedeer Sang Kancil as he seeks justice for his mother's death and unites with other animals against the Dark Shadow. The film uses a hybrid of 2D special effects and 3D animation and was released in December 2024.

• Upin & Ipin UniverseConsole and computer game

  An open-world sandbox game based on the Upin & Ipin franchise, developed with Streamline Studios. The planned platforms include Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Epic Games.

• 2025LCXpo 2025 anniversary program

  Malaysia

  The company announced an anniversary exhibition and fan-oriented event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur to mark its 20th anniversary.

  Outcome. The event was scheduled for 11–14 December 2025. The same occasion was associated with plans for an Upin & Ipin theme park at King's Park, Genting Highlands.

  Source
• 2020YouTube audience expansion

  Malaysia · International digital markets

  Les' Copaque used its YouTube channel as a major distribution outlet for its animation catalog and reached 10 million subscribers.

  Outcome. The channel received a Diamond Play Button and was reported as the first Malaysian YouTube channel to reach that subscriber milestone.

  Source

• 2023Upin & Ipin Universe game developmentProduct launch

  The studio sought to extend its main character franchise into interactive entertainment.

  What changed. It partnered with Streamline Studios to develop an open-world sandbox game featuring the Upin & Ipin characters and voice actors.

  Aftermath. The game was initially associated with a September 2024 release and was later expected on 17 July 2025 for several console and computer platforms.

  Reported development investment. RM15 million (2023)

  Source
• 2019China animation and game-industry cooperationStrategy

  The studio pursued cross-border opportunities in animation and interactive entertainment.

  What changed. It signed a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing Animation and Gaming Industry Association.

  Aftermath. The memorandum established a framework for potential cooperation; specific resulting productions were not identified.

  Source
• 2018Astro content-distribution partnershipStrategy

  Les' Copaque sought wider television, online and event distribution for its animated catalog.

  What changed. It signed a content-sharing, distribution and marketing agreement with Astro.

  Aftermath. Upin & Ipin, Pada Zaman Dahulu and other animated programs became available to Astro and NJOI subscribers across television and online channels.

  Source
• 2014Creation of an animation education armStrategy

  The company identified a shortage of practical animation skills among graduates of animation programs.

  What changed. It established Les' Copaque Animation Academy to train prospective artists and animators.

  Aftermath. The academy became part of the studio's broader education and training activities.

  Source
• 2011Replacement of cancelled Upin & Ipin film projectsOther

  Proposed films titled Upin & Ipin: Angkasa and Laksamana Upin & Ipin did not proceed because of financial and scheduling difficulties.

  What changed. The studio redirected its feature-film plans toward Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng!.

  Aftermath. The replacement film was released in 2016.

  Source
• 2009Expansion into live-action productionStrategy

  The studio sought to broaden its activities beyond animation.

  What changed. It established LC Film, formerly known as Bruang Filem, to oversee live-action programs, television dramas and films.

  Aftermath. The subsidiary produced projects including Zaiton: Ceritaku, Makcik Bawang and Jiwa Tanpa Jiwa.

  Source
• 2007Pursuit of an international animated-film co-productionM&A

  Les' Copaque partnered with Zhongnan Group Animation Video on a proposed 90-minute 3D film titled The Essential Art of War.

  What changed. The partners planned the film with an estimated budget of approximately RM25 million.

  Aftermath. The project was later abandoned.

  Source

• 2024Dongeng Sang Kancil released

  The studio released an animated feature using a hybrid 2D and 3D visual approach and drawing on the Sang Kancil folklore tradition.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2023Les' Copaque announces Upin & Ipin Universe game partnership

  The studio partnered with Streamline Studios to develop an open-world console game based on the Upin & Ipin franchise.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2020Les' Copaque reaches 10 million YouTube subscribers

  The company's YouTube channel reached 10 million subscribers and received a Diamond Play Button.

  Other
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• 2009Geng: The Adventure Begins becomes a major Malaysian animated film

  The feature film connected to the Upin & Ipin characters was released and became one of Malaysia's notable domestic animated-film successes.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2007Upin & Ipin launches

  The studio introduced its best-known animated television property, initially developed around the Ramadan and Shawwal festive period.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2005Les' Copaque establishes animation production company

  Burhanuddin Md Radzi and Ainon Ariff co-founded the studio, which began operations the following January.

  Other
  Source

1. Les' Copaque Production