MalayMail-July 3
The love for manga shows no signs of slowing down — in Malaysia, a deep passion for this art remains strong, with fans eagerly diving into its stories day after day. While many locals are familiar with Japanese manga —few may know that a local visual and IP development studio is taking things a step further by creating original manga that reflects Malaysia’s unique culture and identity. Not to be confused with the many local comics found nationwide, this studio fully embraces the authentic Japanese manga aesthetic — from the detailed art style to the right-to-left reading format, mirroring the experience of a true Japanese manga. Rise Production — a studio founded by comic artist and manga enthusiast named Cross — began as a solo project and has since evolved into a full creative team, coming together just last year. “As a company targeting the manga style, I think we can safely say we are the only one in Malaysia,” said Cavan, 25, the producer at Rise Production.
However, Cross and Cavan acknowledge that others may have similar aspirations, though they point out that execution varies widely, and each project tends to develop a unique style of its own. “For us, you can call this a manga style, but it’s also a Rise style. Why create manga with Malaysian elements? Cavan stated that they wanted to retell local cultures through the most globally recognized format, which is manga. “I think the popularity of manga can’t be denied in this current day and age,” he said. “We also grew up reading manga, liking the Japanese aesthetic, that’s why we decided to go with the manga style. “We want to stay true to the medium at the end of the day,” he added. Just a year after its formation as a full-fledged studio, its work has already gained favorable reviews in Malaysia. Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2025/08/03/manga-with-a-malaysian-soul-how-rise-production-blends-local-folklore-with-japanese-style-and-modern-storytelling/184776
