Wikipedia

Usop Sontorian

Usop Sontorian[a] is a Malaysian animated cartoon series aired on TV1 from 1996 to 1997.[1][2][3] The country's first animated series, it was created by Ujang[4][5] and produced by Kharisma Pictures.[6][7] The series was directed by Kamn Ismail, who was also the voice actor for one of the series' characters.

Usop Sontorian
Title card, displaying the then-new logo of the series.
Genre
Created byUjang
Developed by
  • Kamn Ismail
  • Ujang
Written by
  • Hood Yusof
  • Lutfi Ismail
  • Azizi Hj. Adnan
Directed byKamn Ismail
Voices of
  • Farriz Izwan Khairulanuar
  • Faisal Hairie Khairulanuar
  • Faizal Haredz Mohd Johari
  • Kamn Ismail
  • Zaharah Jidin
  • Dielfitri Tajudin
  • Ruslan Ayob
  • Ahmad Nazri Mahmood
  • Marzuki Abdullah
  • Azhar Saad
  • Wan Ayumi Wan Yusof
  • Syed Rahiman
  • Norwati Ismail
  • Sharifuddin Abdul Rashid
  • Mohd Akib Junid
  • Adzlan Sulong
Theme music composerProduksi Rakam Zalikamari
Opening theme"Usop Sontorian"
Ending theme"Usop Sontorian"
ComposerZalikamari
Country of originMalaysia
Original languageMalay
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes50 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerMichael Lum
ProducerOthman Yusof
Editors
  • Amisyahril Edwan Amran
  • Azlina Din
  • Khairudin Shabudin
Running time22-23 minutes
Production companyKharisma Pictures
Original release
NetworkRTM
Release27 January 1996 (1996-01-27) –
5 April 1997 (1997-04-05)

Ismail was the managing director of Quest Animations until his death in 2019. Ujang, the series' creator, was not permitted to create any cartoon characters which have similarities to Usop Sontorian, after a failed legal battle to acquire rights to the character. After the series demise and Kharisma Pictures' closure in 1997, many of the production team were switched to different animation companies while others become full-time cartoonist for magazines Ujang and APO?, both under Kharisma Publications (renamed to MOY Publications). A feature film based on the series was originally planned in 1996 and slated for 2000 release, which eventually cancelled.

Overview

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Usop Sontorian is created by Malaysian cartoonist, Ibrahim Anon or Ujang as he affectionately known, with the concepts, storyline and script all done by him.[4] In an exclusive interview with New Straits Times in December 1993, Ujang describes the anticipated production as a Malaysianised version of The Simpsons, stating that: "It is basically about a Malay family and their culture".[4] Together with series director Kamn Ismail, he took charge of the technical aspects. By March 1993, Ujang teamed up with a group of layout artists and animators to work on the series. Usop Sontorian was made as a comic strip within the Ujang magazine and later as a standalone magazine before its TV series was produced.[8] Malaysian public broadcaster, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) acquire the broadcast rights of the series with Eurofine handling the distribution.

Synopsis

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Usop Sontorian tells the story of the village life of Malaysian boy, Usop and his friends Abu, Dol, Ah Kim, Vellu, and Singh. Usop is the third and youngest child in his family. He has two elder siblings: a sister, Kak Kiah, and a jobless brother named Abang Budin. The story is set in Kampung Parit Sonto, not far from the town of Ayer Hitam, Johor; hence the name "Sontorian". The theme of the series was to promote unity and harmonious relationships between all races in multi-ethnic Malaysia.[9][10]

Characters

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Main

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  • Usop – voiced by Farriz Izwan Khairulanuar
  • Abu – voiced by Faizal Hairie Khairulanuar
  • Dol – voiced by Faizal Haredz Mohd Johari

Recurring

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  • Singh – voiced by Ruslan Ayob
  • Sashi Veloo – voiced by Marzuki Abdullah in some episodes and by Ameirkhannaz Mohammed in "Anugerah"
  • Ah Kim – voiced by Ahmad Nazri Mahmood
  • Pak Mat (Usop's father) – voiced by Kamn Ismail and Azrinorhadi Che Din in some episodes, also voiced by Syed Rahiman in "Lawan Bola" and Yahya Khalid in "Tetamu"
  • Mak Som (Usop's mother) – voiced by Zaharah Jidin
  • Kak Kiah (Usop's sister) – voiced by Norwati Ismail
  • Abang Budin (Usop's brother) – voiced by Dielfitri Tajudin
  • Abu's father – voiced by Ahmad Dzulkarnain Adnan
  • Abu's mother – voiced by Wan Ayumi Wan Yusof
  • Dol's grandfather – voiced by Norhairil Azwa Abd Aziz
  • Dol's grandmother – voiced by Mazian Joary
  • Singh's father – voiced by Azhar Ahmad

Other characters

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  • Selebet (Usop's pet chicken), Salleh and Abu's younger brother – voiced by Azhar Saad
  • Lan – voiced by Zulkefli Mohd Yusof
  • Jeff – voiced by Norhaili Ithnin
  • Saidon – voiced by Raja Zaharuddin Shah Raja Chik
  • Saodah – voiced by Sherinaazlin Bakar
  • Seipun – voiced by Adzlan Sulong

Episodes

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Although Usop Sontorian started airing in 1996, all of the episodes were already produced between 1993 and 1996. During its run, the series spanned 3 seasons and 50 episodes. All episodes directed by Kamn Ismail.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
118January 27, 1996 (1996-01-27)June 1, 1996 (1996-06-01)
216August 3, 1996 (1996-08-03)November 23, 1996 (1996-11-23)
316December 21, 1996 (1996-12-21)April 5, 1997 (1997-04-05)

Season 1 (1996)

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No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleStoryboarded by [b]Written by [b]Original release date
11"Lari Dari Rumah"TBAUjangJanuary 27, 1996 (1996-01-27)[11]
22"Kawan Baru"UjangUjangFebruary 3, 1996 (1996-02-03)[12]
33"Main Gitar"TBAUjangFebruary 10, 1996 (1996-02-10)[13]
44"Tetamu Istimewa[c]"TBAUjangFebruary 17, 1996 (1996-02-17)[14]
55"Selebet[c]"TBAUjangFebruary 24, 1996 (1996-02-24)[15]
66"Dol Pindah[c]"TBAUjangMarch 2, 1996 (1996-03-02)[16]
77"Basikal Tua[c]"TBAUjangMarch 9, 1996 (1996-03-09)[17]
88"Lampu Ajaib[c]"TBAUjangMarch 16, 1996 (1996-03-16)[18]
99"Melawat Kuala Lumpur[c]"Soul Hj. Ghazali
Ariyon Ahmad
Mubarak Yahya		UjangMarch 23, 1996 (1996-03-23)[19]
1010"Berkhemah"TBAUjangMarch 30, 1996 (1996-03-30)[20]
1111"Pendekar[c]"TBAUjangApril 6, 1996 (1996-04-06)[21]
1212"Meriam Buloh[c]"TBAUjangApril 20, 1996 (1996-04-20)[22]
1313"Bermain Rakit[c]"TBAUjangApril 27, 1996 (1996-04-27)[23]
1414"Olahragawan[c]"TBAUjangMay 4, 1996 (1996-05-04)[24]
1515"Anak Gajah"TBAUjangMay 11, 1996 (1996-05-11)[25]
1616"Burung Kakak Tua"TBAUjangMay 18, 1996 (1996-05-18)[26]
1717"Budin Masuk Lokap"TBAUjangMay 25, 1996 (1996-05-25)[27]
1818"Budin Ke Kuala Lumpur[c]"UjangUjangJune 1, 1996 (1996-06-01)[28]

Season 2 (1996)

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No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleStoryboarded by [b]Written by [b]Original release date
191"Sayang Kak Kiah[c]"Ariyon AhmadUjangAugust 3, 1996 (1996-08-03)
202"Usahawan Muda"Ariyon AhmadUjangAugust 10, 1996 (1996-08-10)
213"Perang Bintang"Soul Hj. GhazaliUjangAugust 17, 1996 (1996-08-17)
224"Budak Jahat"Ruslan AyobUjangAugust 24, 1996 (1996-08-24)
235"Hantu Parit Sonto"Ahmad Kamil OthmanUjangAugust 31, 1996 (1996-08-31)
246"Kartini Selamanya[c]"Azhar AhmadAzhar AhmadSeptember 7, 1996 (1996-09-07)
257"Pendekar II"Soul Hj. GhazaliUjangSeptember 14, 1996 (1996-09-14)
268"Sakit Gigi"Soul Hj. GhazaliLutfi IsmailSeptember 21, 1996 (1996-09-21)
279"U.F.O.[c]"Ruslan AyobUjangSeptember 28, 1996 (1996-09-28)
2810"Lawan Bola"Mubarak YahyaUjangOctober 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)
2911"Anugerah"Ahmad Kamil OthmanUjangOctober 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)
3012"Abu Oh Abu"Ariyon AhmadUjangOctober 26, 1996 (1996-10-26)
3113"Superhero"Soul Hj. GhazaliUjangNovember 2, 1996 (1996-11-02)
3214"Temberang[c]"Ruslan AyobUjangNovember 9, 1996 (1996-11-09)
3315"Tetamu"Mubarak YahyaUjangNovember 16, 1996 (1996-11-16)
3416"Ketua Kelas"Ahmad Kamil OthmanUjangNovember 23, 1996 (1996-11-23)

Season 3 (1996–1997)

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No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleStoryboarded by [b]Written by [b]Original release date
351"Dunia Air"Ruslan AyobAzizi AdnanDecember 21, 1996 (1996-12-21)
362"Dinasor"Soul Hj. GhazaliAzizi AdnanDecember 28, 1996 (1996-12-28)
373"Kisah Seorang Biduan"Soul Hj. GhazaliAzizi AdnanJanuary 4, 1997 (1997-01-04)
384"Berkhatan"Ruslan AyobAzizi AdnanJanuary 11, 1997 (1997-01-11)
395"Seipun"Ahmad Kamil OthmanAzizi AdnanJanuary 18, 1997 (1997-01-18)
406"Terkenang"Ruslan AyobAzizi AdnanJanuary 25, 1997 (1997-01-25)
417"Pertandingan Layang-Layang"Shafiee MohamedLutfi IsmailFebruary 1, 1997 (1997-02-01)
428"Debab Kembali"Mubarak YahyaLutfi IsmailFebruary 8, 1997 (1997-02-08)
439"Harta Karun"Ariyon Ahmad
Zairul Akhmar		Azhar AhmadFebruary 15, 1997 (1997-02-15)
4410"Misi Mustahil"Soul Hj. GhazaliSoul Hj. GhazaliFebruary 22, 1997 (1997-02-22)
4511"Berkhemah II"Mubarak YahyaAzizi AdnanMarch 1, 1997 (1997-03-01)
4612"Pantas Tangan"Ruslan AyobRuslan AyobMarch 8, 1997 (1997-03-08)
4713"Perang Bukit"Azhar AhmadAzhar AhmadMarch 15, 1997 (1997-03-15)
4814"Jambatan Runtuh"Ahmad Kamil OthmanAhmad Kamil OthmanMarch 22, 1997 (1997-03-22)
4915"Sisa Toksid"Zairul Akhmar
Azwadi Abdullah
Khairul Hisham Salim
Shafiee Mohamed		Lutfi Ismail
Original story: Zahuri Harun		March 29, 1997 (1997-03-29)
5016"Merdeka"Ariyon Ahmad
Zairul Akhmar
Azwadi Abdullah		Azizi AdnanApril 5, 1997 (1997-04-05)

Broadcast

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Usop Sontorian originally set to be aired in 1994,[29] but it postponed for over 2 years due to uncertain reasons.[30][31] The series was officially launched by the then-Minister of Information, Datuk Seri Mohamed Rahmat on 20 January 1996 at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)[32] and debuted on RTM TV1 from January 27, 1996, and ended on April 5, 1997.[33]

Reruns

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In 2009, the series was aired on TV9 from May to December 2009, every Monday to Thursday at 8:30am. Previously, Usop Sontorian had reruns on TV1 from 1997 to 1998, and again from 2000 to 2002. The series later aired on TV2 from April 2005 to January 2006. Some of the series' episodes are also available on YouTube.

Reception

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In 1995, Usop Sontorian received recognition as the "Malaysia's First Animated Series" by The Malaysia Book of Records.[34][35]

It also well received in Japan when it was screened at the Asian Animation Festival held in Hiroshima, Japan in June 1996. The series was distributed in Malaysia by Eurofine and for international release, it is distributed by Arief International under the titles Adventures Of Usop and Usop & Geng.[36][37][38] It was also dubbed in English and Spanish.[9]

Cancelled feature film

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In September 1996, Kharisma Pictures announced that a feature film based on the Usop Sontorian series, entitled Usop Sontorian: The Movie was in development and set to be released by the second quarter of 2000. Marking a shift from the series' traditional animation, the film will be computer-animated and will see the series' voice cast and crew returning, with series creator Ujang and director Kamn Ismail reprising their respective roles as writer and director for the film. The series' producer, Othman Yusof, executive producer Michael Lum and theme music composer, Zalikamari also will reprise their respective roles in the Usop Sontorian film.

The film was produced by Kharisma Pictures and distributed for Malaysian release by Eurofine and for international release by Arief International. However, the series creator Ujang announced that the planned Usop Sontorian film was cancelled following the shutdown of Kharisma Pictures and the series' demise in March 1997 as well as having difficulties to securing investment, just before the Asian financial crisis took place.

Notes

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  1. ^ Sometimes misspelled as Usop Santorian on some print medias.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Information is taken from the opening and ending credits of each episode.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Episodes which have different background music in the ending credits instead of the main theme music.

References

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  1. ^ Rozila Saibi (25 January 1996). "Usop mantap". Harian Metro. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Usop Sontorian siri animasi TV pertama negara". Berita Harian. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Mengimbas Kembali Siri Animasi Pertama di Malaysia 'Usop Sontorian'". Sarawakiana. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 Jun 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Zieman (31 December 1993). "Why dreams come true for Ujang". New Straits Times. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  5. ^ Afiezy Azaman (8 December 2019). "Pencipta watak 'Keluang Man' dan 'Usop Sontorian' meninggal dunia". Astro Awani. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  6. ^ Zubairi Zabidin (13 May 1994). "Usop Sontorian siri kartun pertama". Berita Harian. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. ^ Zuhri Kamarzaman (8 August 1994). "Usop lawan Doraemon". Harian Metro. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  8. ^ Sriyanti (18 September 2021). "Usop Sontorian, Siri Animasi Pertama di Malaysia". Aku Papan Kekunci. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  9. ^ a b Manan Samad (2 March 2008). "Semangat Usop Sontorian". Metro Ahad. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  10. ^ Hassan 2007, p. 288–297.
  11. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 27 January 1996. p. 2.
  12. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 3 February 1996. p. 2.
  13. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 10 February 1996. p. 2.
  14. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 17 February 1996. p. 2.
  15. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 24 February 1996. p. 2.
  16. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 2 March 1996. p. 2.
  17. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 9 March 1996. p. 2.
  18. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 16 March 1996. p. 2.
  19. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 23 March 1996. p. 2.
  20. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 30 March 1996. p. 2.
  21. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 6 April 1996. p. 2.
  22. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 20 April 1996. p. 2.
  23. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 27 April 1996. p. 2.
  24. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 4 May 1996. p. 2.
  25. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 11 May 1996. p. 2.
  26. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 18 May 1996. p. 2.
  27. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 25 May 1996. p. 2.
  28. ^ "TV Guide". Life & Times. New Straits Times. 1 June 1996. p. 2.
  29. ^ Jahabar Sadiq (24 December 1993). "Malaysia's own 'Walt Disney' shows to make debut in '94". Business Times. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  30. ^ Rozila Saibi (4 January 1995). "Ujang risaukan Usop Sontorian". Harian Metro. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  31. ^ Fauzi (22 April 1995). "Time for our own 'toons". New Straits Times. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Kementerian mahu anjur pasaran TV, filem Malaysia". Berita Minggu. 21 January 1996. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  33. ^ Harny Abu Khair (8 June 1998). "First local animated love story on video". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  34. ^ Aliah Zainul (22 January 2019). "10 Fakta Menarik Mengenai Siri Animasi Usop Sontorian". I Am Lejen. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  35. ^ Khalis 2020, p. 1–25.
  36. ^ "Usop Sontorian pikat pembeli". Berita Harian. 12 December 1998. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  37. ^ Irma Musliana (7 September 2017). "Animasi Malaysia ini paling banyak merentas benua!". Soscili. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Kartun, drama Malaysia mula dapat perhatian dunia". Berita Harian. 27 December 1997. p. 9.

Bibliography

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