Kamn Ismail, whose real name is Kamarudin Ismail, was born in 1956 in Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah, Melaka.
The Google Doodle honours Kamn Ismail, a pioneer in the Malaysian animation sector, on his 67th birthday. In the 1990s, he made significant contributions to animation as a pioneer in the use of computer technology and digital applications.
While many younger Malaysians may not be familiar with Kamn Ismail’s name, they are likely familiar with his work in the local animation industry, which includes characters like Usop Sontorian and Keluang Man.
Kamn Ismail, whose real name is Kamarudin Ismail, was born in 1956 in Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah, Melaka. He won the 2012 Cartoon Activist Award for producing Malaysian animated series for the “Anda, PM, and Kartunis” program.
The first animated television program made in Malaysia, Usop Sontorian, served as the springboard for Kamn’s digital animation career. A total of 49 episodes, which were broadcast on RTM’s TV1, were produced over the course of nearly three years by 94 devoted workers. The success of Usop Santorian increased faith in the local animation sector.
Kamn led the Malaysian delegation to the 6th International Animation Festival in Hiroshima, Japan, where the Usop Sontorian series was first aired in front of international audiences.
He began working as a director at UAS Animation Studios in 1997 and created the Keluang Man, a successful animation series, which tells the story of Borhan, a Tampoi mental hospital patient who transforms into a crime-fighting superhero with the help of his trusted sidekick Tiong Man.
The first local animation to use both a three-dimensional background and two-dimensional animation was Keluang Man. Due to the challenge of creating animation motion and camera motion in a more interesting way, Kamn chose to combine both techniques. In spite of the obstacles the animation industry has thrown at him, Kamn has remained tenacious.
In 2001, Kamn established his own business, Quest Animations. Che Nat, which took home third place at the First International Festival of Television Productions of Islamic Countries in Tehran, Iran, in 2001, and Kumang, which won “Best Animation” at the 16th Malaysian Film Festival, are among the works he has produced.
Kamn announced his retirement from the animation industry in 2016 due to health concerns. His last project, Mat Kilau, won several awards and was translated into other media platforms.