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Les' Copaque Production

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Les' Copaque Production Sdn. Bhd.
Company typePrivate
Industry
FoundedDecember 12, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-12-12)
Founders
  • Burhanuddin Md Radzi
  • Ainon Ariff
HeadquartersShah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Key people
  • Burhanuddin Md Radzi (Managing Director)
  • Ainon Ariff (Chief Content Director)
  • Nur Naquyah Burhanuddin (Director of Creative Content)
Number of employees
200[1] (2022)
Websitelescopaque.com

Les' Copaque Production Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysian animation and live-action production company, based in Shah Alam, Selangor. Founded by Burhanuddin Md Radzi and his wife, Ainon Ariff in 2005, it is known for producing the television series Upin & Ipin (since 2007), Pada Zaman Dahulu (2011) and Puteri (2014) as well as feature films Geng: The Adventure Begins (2009), Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng! (2016) and Dongeng Sang Kancil (2024). An MSC Malaysia-status company, the studio's logo is a yellow frog named Si Polan sitting above the coconut shell.

History

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Burhanuddin Md Radzi and his wife, Ainon Ariff co-founded Les' Copaque in December 2005 and start operations in January 2006 with 4 staffs. The company is based in Shah Alam, Selangor.[2] Burhanuddin previously have spent 20 years in the oil and gas industry.[3] Former Multimedia University's (MMU) students – Nizam Razak, Usamah Zaid Yasin, Anas Abdul Aziz and Safwan Karim also co-founded the company and recruited as staffs. Nizam, Anas and Safwan remained a Les' Copaque staff permanently until 2009 when they left the company to set up Animonsta Studios and Usamah until 2013 when he founded WAU Animation. Burhanuddin recounted that the company's name was inspired by the Malay phrase, "last kopek" which means "last chance" where its pronunciation changed as it seems to be like French language.[3][4]

"Last kopek... because I chose the animation as my last attempt to create my own success. But I deliberately named the company as Les' Copaque so that it would 'sound international' for the business interest."[a]

— Burhanuddin on the company's name.[3]

Les' Copaque's logo features a little yellow frog called Si Polan who sitting on a coconut shell, which "symbolising the idea of thinking outside the box and dreaming big". It comes from the Malay proverb "bagai katak di bawah tempurung", which literally translated as "a frog under a coconut shell".[5]

The studio has been at the forefront of development for Malaysian animation industry. In 2006, Nizam and two others' first animation project, Misi Mustahak won the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) for Best of Tertiary Student Projects, and Best of MVA at the Malaysian Video Awards.[6] A year after its establishment, Les' Copaque produced an animated short film, Geng: The Adventure Begins which won the Best Animated Film and Best Animated Director at the inaugural 2006 Short Film Awards, organised by Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM).[7]

The studio produced Upin & Ipin in conjunction with Ramadhan and Shawwal, while its first animated feature film Geng: The Adventure Begins, also features the eponymous twin brothers, is in the making. After the series launched in 2007, it has gone on to achieve commercial success and critical acclaim internationally.[7] Geng was released on 12 February 2009 and managed to collect around RM 6.2 million, making it one of the highest-grossing Malaysian films in history.[7]

In May 2007, the company partnered with Zhongnan Group Animation Video to co-produced a 90-minute 3D animated film, the Essential Art of War, which was later abandoned. The film's budget estimated about RM25 million.[8]

Les' Copaque started its merchandising business at the end of 2007 with the establishment of LC Merchandising, which sells the company's products and merchandises, including t-shirts and mugs.[2][9]

In 2009, the company set up its motion picture subsidiary, LC Film (formerly Bruang Filem), which specialized on production of live-action programs, television dramas and movies. The studio's first release was Zaiton: Ceritaku (2012), a biopic based on the life and career of singer, Zaiton Sameon.[10][11] Other LC Film releases include Makcik Bawang and Jiwa Tanpa Jiwa.

Following the success of Geng, Les' Copaque announced the following Upin & Ipin films, Upin & Ipin: Angkasa, which was slated for 2011 release and eventually cancelled.[12] It was replaced with Laksamana Upin & Ipin,[13] which also shares the same fate due to unexpected financial and schedule situation. The cancelled films eventually replaced by Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng! which was released in 2016.[14]

In 2011, Les' Copaque released Pada Zaman Dahulu (Once Upon A Time), a collection of famous local animal folklore told in a style different from Upin & Ipin and began aired on TV Alhijrah. The series become the first animated series in the country to feature computer animation techniques.[15][16]

In 2014, Les' Copaque established its learning arm, Les' Copaque Animation Academy to train skillful and talented animators in the country following the lack of experience and skills from university or college graduates majoring in animation.[17][18] The company partnered with the Japanese special effect and production company, Tsuburaya Productions to produced the crossover series Ultraman Ribut as part of Upin & Ipin and the Ultra Series. The crossover began aired on TV9 from 14 to 16 November 2014.[19][20]

Les' Copaque signed a deal with Malaysian satellite TV company, Astro for content sharing, distribution and marketing partnership on 30 October 2018. Under the partnership, all of the studio's animated series like Upin & Ipin and Pada Zaman Dahulu made available to both Astro and NJOI subscribers across the TV and online platforms including on-ground events.[21][22]

On 18 March 2019, the studio signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Beijing Animation and Gaming Industry Association (BAGIA) to spearheading a video game and animation partnership.[23]

In 2020, Les' Copaque's YouTube channel garnered 10 million subscribers and awarded the Diamond Play Button Award, making the company the first YouTube channel in Malaysia to gained the mark.[24][25][26]

Subsidiaries

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Les' Copaque Production has seven subsidiaries which operated in different business segments:

  • Les' Copaque Games Development (LCGDI) oversees the development of interactive entertainment contents for mobile devices.
  • Les' Copaque Animation Academy (LCAA) provides tertiary education for prospect artists and animators and offers a variety of courses in animation industry.
  • Les' Copaque Merchandising (LCM; Upin & Ipin Store) handles the production, distribution and licensing of Les' Copaque's merchandises and products.
  • Geng's Corner manages restaurants and eateries under the Upin & Ipin Flava brand.
  • Les' Copaque Film (LC Film) oversees production of live-action programs, television dramas and movies.
  • IU Trading responsible in managing the company's product range.
  • LC Training Centre serves as a training skills arm focused on animation and creative industry.

Filmography

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Films

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Release date Title Notes Ref.
12 February 2009 Geng: The Adventure Begins distributed by Grand Brilliance [27]
1 November 2012 Zaiton: Ceritaku produced under Les' Copaque Film (then known as Bruang Filem) banner [11]
24 November 2016 Upin & Ipin: Jeng Jeng Jeng! co-production with KRU Studios [28]
21 March 2019 Upin & Ipin: The Lone Gibbon Kris [29]
26 December 2024 Dongeng Sang Kancil released on Netflix globally [30][31]

Television and web series

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Year Title Network Notes Ref.
2007–present Upin & Ipin TV9 (2007–2017), Astro Prima and Astro Ceria (2018–present) [32]
2011 Kelab Upin & Ipin TV9 produced under Les' Copaque Film (then known as Bruang Filem) banner [33]
2011–2014 Pada Zaman Dahulu TV Alhijrah [15]
2014 Puteri TV3 [34]
2017 DaDuDiDo YouTube produced exclusively on Les' Copaque's YouTube channel [35]
2018 Kembara Warisan Detektif Upin & Ipin
2019 Upin & Ipin Iqra' Astro Ceria [36]
2020 Upin & Ipin: The Helping Heroes Netflix [37]
Maaf Zahir Batin Tak Jadi TV Okey produced under Les' Copaque Film banner
2021 Makcik Bawang TV1
2023 Jiwa Tanpa Jiwa TV2 [38]

Awards and accolades

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Year Award-giving body Category Recipient Result Ref.
2018 The ONE Awards 2018 Special Talent Entrepreneur Les' Copaque Production Won [39]
2019 International Islamic Leadership Forum & Awards 2019 Excellence in Content Animation Won [40]
2024 Star Outstanding Business Awards 2024 Best Brand Won [5]

Explanatory notes

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  1. ^ Original: "Last kopek... kerana saya pilih bidang animasi ini sebagai usaha terakhir untuk mencipta kejayaan tersendiri. Tapi saya sengaja namakan syarikat ini Les’ Copaque supaya ‘berbunyi international’ demi kepentingan bisnes,".

References

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  1. ^ Zeanaaima Mohd Yusof (17 September 2022). "Upin dan Ipin tembusi UK, Australia, 'cakap' Hindustan di TV India, kata pencipta animasi" (in Malay). Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 25 March 2023. Sehingga kini, Les' Copaque mempunyai 200 pekerja untuk membangunkan siri animasi kegemaran ramai itu.
  2. ^ a b M. Hafidz Mahpar (10 November 2012). "The wonderful world of Les' Copaque". The Star Online. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Zeanaaima Mohd Yusof (18 September 2022). "Les' Copaque atau 'Last Kopek', pencipta Upin dan Ipin dedah rahsia nama syarikat" (in Malay). Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ Zieman (24 December 2014). "Serious about being funny". The Star Online. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Trailblazing Malaysia's animation industry". The Star Online. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  6. ^ Abu Hudzaifah (7 September 2019). "Misi Mustahak Pencetus Segalanya" (in Malay). The Patriots. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Apabila Upin Dan Ipin Masuk Pawagam" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 8 February 2009. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Les' Copaque belanja RM25j terbit filem 3D" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  9. ^ Shahrizan Salian (21 March 2016). "Pemilik Upin & Ipin perkasa jenama" (in Malay). Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  10. ^ "LC Film". Les' Copaque Production. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  11. ^ a b Wahiduzzaman (15 October 2012). "'Zaiton Ceritaku': Cerita Jelas, Kerja Kurang Kemas" (in Malay). mStar Online. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  12. ^ Ramlah Zainal (29 May 2009). "Upin & Ipin: Angkasa" (in Malay). Harian Metro. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Tuah Kembar Botak Cetuskan 'Laksamana Upin & Ipin'" (in Malay). mStar Online. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 6 September 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  14. ^ Aqmar Mustaza (5 November 2016). "Upin Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng bakal tembusi pasaran luar" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Pada Zaman Dahulu taruhan terbaru LCPSB" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 21 October 2011. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  16. ^ Hayat Sueet (16 July 2011). "Pengembaraan zaman dahulu" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  17. ^ "Boys just want to have fun". The Star Online. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  18. ^ "'Orang minyak' berjaya dalam animasi" (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  19. ^ Farouq Johari (13 November 2014). "'Upin & Ipin Ultraman Ribut' Bawa Animasi Negara Ke Tahap Yang Lebih Tinggi" (in Malay). SAYS. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  20. ^ Azizul Rahman Ismail (23 January 2025). "QuickCheck: Is there an official Malaysian Ultraman?". The Star Online. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  21. ^ "Astro partners Les' Copaque for distribution and marketing of animation content". Marketing Interactive. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  22. ^ "Astro, Les Copaque adakan perjanjian strategik kandungan animasi, pemasaran, pengedaran" (in Malay). Bernama. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Les' Copaque tandatangani MoU dengan BAGIA" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  24. ^ Melanie Chalil (12 June 2020). "'Upin & Ipin' creators Les' Copaque becomes first Malaysian YouTube channel to reach 10 million subscribers". Malay Mail. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  25. ^ Ashraf Nasser (12 June 2020). "Les' Copaque is the first in Malaysia to receive YouTube Diamond Play Button". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  26. ^ Tahir Alhamzah (12 June 2020). "#Showbiz: Upin & Ipin YouTube channel first in Msia to hit 10mil subscribers". New Straits Times. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  27. ^ Yam Phui Yee (18 February 2009). "Daring adventures". R.AGE. The Star Online. Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
  28. ^ Aqmar Mustaza (5 November 2016). "Upin Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng bakal tembusi pasaran luar" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  29. ^ Amirul Haswendy Ashari (17 March 2019). "Upin & Ipin kian hebat" (in Malay). Harian Metro. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  30. ^ Ernalisa (24 December 2024). "Dongeng Sang Kancil Mengimaginasikan Semula Karakter Popular Cerita Rakyat Dalam Sentuhan Moden" (in Malay). Astro Gempak. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  31. ^ "Netflix Picks Up Animated Film 'Dongeng Sang Kancil'". What's on Netflix. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  32. ^ Ida Latif (10 March 2016). "10 Sebab Kenapa Upin & Ipin Kekal Menjadi Animasi Popular Di Malaysia" (in Malay). The Vocket. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  33. ^ "Kelab Upin & Ipin rangsang minda" (in Malay). Metro Ahad. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  34. ^ Ikhwan Nazri (15 May 2014). "Animasi Puteri Dari Les Copaque Bakal Hadir Pada September Ini" (in Malay). Amanz.my. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Dadudido siri animasi baru Les' Copaque di Youtube" (in Malay). Astro Awani. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  36. ^ "Akan Datang! Upin & Ipin Iqra'" (Press Release) (in Malay). Les' Copaque Production. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  37. ^ Nisa Irina (22 May 2020). "Les' Copaque releases new series, "Upin & Ipin: The Helping Heroes"". Cinema Online. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  38. ^ "Jiwa Tanpa Jiwa: Hati Kosong atau Isu Mental?" (in Malay). Les' Copaque Production. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  39. ^ "The One Awards 2018" (in Malay). Les' Copaque Production. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Les' Copaque Menang International Islamic Leadership Forum & Awards 2019" (in Malay). Les' Copaque Production. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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