Muhammad Usamah Zaid Yasin

Muhammad Usamah Zaid Yasin has redefined Malaysian animation through his creative vision and storytelling. The founder and CEO of WAU Animation, which he established in 2013, Usamah is best known as the creator, director and writer of the hit series Ejen Ali, first aired on TV3 in 2016.

Before launching WAU Animation, he honed his craft at Les’ Copaque Production, contributing to Malaysia’s beloved classics Upin & Ipin and Geng: The Adventure Begins. With Ejen Ali, he propelled Malaysian animation onto the global stage, with the franchise now reaching audiences in over 65 countries, amassing more than 13 billion YouTube views and earning multiple awards including Best 3D Animation Programme at the Asian Television Awards.

His 2019 film Ejen Ali: The Movie grossed RM30.28 million, while its 2025 sequel Ejen Ali The Movie 2 (Misi: Satria) became Malaysia’s highest-grossing animated film, collecting RM60.2 million (inclusive of Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia) at the box office. The sequel’s success cemented Ejen Ali as a regional phenomenon, celebrated for weaving Malaysian cultural identity into stories with global appeal.

In 2025, Ejen Ali was showcased at the World Expo Osaka as a symbol of Malaysian creativity, where Usamah represented the nation’s thriving digital and animation industry, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in elevating Malaysia’s creative presence worldwide.