Singapore’s Silver Media Group has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Indonesian boxing legend Chris John for the creation of “Dragon’s Dojo,” a mobile-first vertical animated series inspired by Indonesian folklore.
This initiative represents the inaugural chapter of the ASERYA Asian Mythology Franchise.
This collaboration brings together Silver Media Group, Chris John, veteran Indonesian TV executive Harun Kurniawan, and Koollab Studios as co-production partners.
“Dragon’s Dojo” serves as the launchpad for the ASERYA Universe, an interconnected Asian mythology franchise that will encompass animation, comics, games, and merchandise. This universe aims to introduce global audiences to Asian narratives by pairing real-world figures with young protagonists, folklore, and mythical beings from across Asia.
The narrative revolves around ancient creatures emerging in the modern world, challenging heroes from various countries to combat a dark force threatening the region. In “Dragon’s Dojo,” Chris John is portrayed as an animated alter ego, serving as the lead instructor and mentor at the martial arts academy that bears the series’ name. This academy helps young people facing adversity. As creatures from Indonesian mythology threaten the community of his students, Chris and his pupils realize their battle extends beyond monsters to their inner struggles.
The series is envisioned as a multi-platform franchise with potential expansions into comics, games, and merchandise.
Chan Gin Kai, founder and CEO of Silver Media Group, noted that Asia possesses some of the richest histories, cultures, and mythologies globally, yet many remain largely unknown beyond their native countries.
“With ASERYA, we aim to construct an interconnected universe where these stories can resonate with a new generation of audiences,” Chan said. “‘Dragon’s Dojo’ is the starting point of that journey in Indonesia, merging the legacy of a true champion in Chris John with the power of mythology, action, and storytelling driven by values. As we unveil a broader universe of stories from across Asia, we aspire to share this rich heritage worldwide.”
Chris John emphasized that martial arts encompasses more than just learning to fight, teaching discipline, respect, courage, and how to tackle life’s challenges. “Throughout my career, boxing has shown me that the greatest victories are not only in the ring but also in overcoming daily challenges,” he said. “‘Dragon’s Dojo’ incorporates these values into an exciting adventure where young people can discover their strength, purpose, and courage to find their path while experiencing the richness of Indonesian mythology.”
Kurniawan highlighted that Indonesia boasts extraordinary stories, legends, and cultural heritage passed down through generations. “‘Dragon’s Dojo’ offers an opportunity to bring these elements into a contemporary format and introduce them to audiences worldwide,” he said. “We are crafting something proudly Indonesian while being part of a much larger Asian storytelling universe.”
Koollab Studios co-founder Oliver Guse stated that the future of entertainment will be shaped by the synergy of human creativity, technology, and new storytelling methods. “At Koollab Studios, we believe innovation should empower creators to tell bigger and more ambitious stories while preserving their authenticity and emotional core,” Guse said. “‘Dragon’s Dojo’ represents an exciting chance to combine creative vision with new production possibilities, showcasing Indonesia’s rich culture and mythology to audiences worldwide.”
“Dragon’s Dojo” is currently in development, with production and release details yet to be announced.
Silver Media Group, established by Golden Horse Award-winning producer Chan Gin Kai, manages more than 1,500 intellectual property assets across film, animation, games, and graphic novels. The company has collaborated with a fund manager licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to create the Silver Media Fund, a media investment vehicle geared towards developing and financing scalable IP.
Koollab Studios was co-founded by Guse, who has three decades of experience in animation production, focusing on production workflows that incorporate emerging technologies.
