Before BoBoiBoy or Ejen Ali became household names, there was Keluang Man—Malaysia’s very own caped crusader. With his signature black suit, fruit bat insignia, and hilarious sidekick Tiong Man, he patrolled the streets of Tumpoi not in search of fame, but justice. Created by the late Kamn Ismail in the late 1990s, Keluang Man wasn’t just an animation—it was a symbol of creative bravery, social commentary, and national identity.
Let’s take a flight down the memory lane and rediscover why Keluang Man still matters today.
The Origins of Keluang Man: Borhan, the Vigilante of Tampoi
Keluang Man’s alter ego is Borhan, a patient in Tumpoi Mental Hospital (a fictional version of Tampoi Hospital in Johor). After being institutionalised due to psychological trauma, Borhan takes it upon himself to fight crime at night under the guise of Keluang Man—“Keluang” meaning fruit bat in Malay. Inspired by the animal, Borhan designs a makeshift costume and becomes a nocturnal vigilante in the sleepy suburbs of Johor.
But unlike DC’s Batman, Borhan is not a billionaire. He doesn’t have a Batmobile or a high-tech cave. He rides a bicycle, communicates in full Malay, and fights muggers and corrupt politicians with fists and wit. His mission? To prove that even someone deemed “mentally unstable” can do good in a world full of injustice.
A Superhero Rooted in Malaysian Culture
One of Keluang Man’s greatest strengths was how unapologetically Malaysian it was. The settings were instantly familiar: small kampung roads, roadside stalls and pasar malam environments. The language was pure Bahasa Melayu, complete with regional slang and local idioms. Keluang Man would fight crooks near a nasi lemak stall, scold rude villagers, or escape from police in narrow back alleys.
Compared to Batman:
| Trait | Batman | Keluang Man |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Orphaned billionaire | Mental patient |
| Setting | Gotham City | Tumpoi |
| Tools | High-tech gadgets | DIY tools, bicycle |
| Tone | Dark, brooding | Satirical, humorous |
| Language | English | Bahasa Melayu |
This “localised Batman” approach wasn’t just comedic—it was relatable. For once, Malaysians saw a superhero who looked, sounded, and acted like one of them.
Click here to find out more about how Keluang Man is not a Batman ripoff.
Tiong Man and the Supporting Cast
Keluang Man wasn’t alone in his adventures. His loyal (if not always helpful) sidekick was Tiong Man—a fellow mental health patient named Samad who idolised Borhan and decided to become his partner-in-justice. Clumsy, funny, and sometimes more trouble than help, Tiong Man added a comedic layer to the story that kids adored.
Other key characters:
- Dr. Ramoo – The psychiatrist at the hospital who tries to help Borhan. Represents the ongoing struggle between science, care, and society’s misunderstanding of mental health.
- Inspector Sahab – A skeptical cop who thinks Keluang Man is just a nuisance as he always arrived first at the crime scene, thus contaminating it and hindering police works.
- Shamsir Jauhari – Main villain and arch-nemesis of Keluang Man. He caused Borhan to be institutionalised in the Tumpoi Mental Hospital.
Behind the Scenes: Kamn Ismail’s Vision
The man behind the mask was Kamn Ismail, a visionary Malaysian animator who dared to be different. When Keluang Man first aired on RTM’s TV1 in 1998, Malaysia’s animation industry was still finding its feet. Kamn, through his company Kreatif Filem & Video Production, took a massive risk. The animation was produced with limited budget and resources—yet it struck a chord with audiences nationwide.
Production relied on traditional 2D techniques, hand-drawn characters, and voice work that captured the essence of everyday Malaysian life. Kamn’s team embraced satire, bold storytelling, and character depth at a time when most local cartoons were basic and moralistic.
Cultural Impact and Lasting Legacy
Though it only aired for a few short seasons in the late 1990s, Keluang Man left an indelible mark on Malaysian pop culture. For children, it was a fun and quirky cartoon filled with action, laughs, and colorful characters. But for older viewers, the series offered something deeper—satirical takes on society, justice, and authority, all wrapped in the unlikely figure of a superhero who happened to be a patient at a mental hospital.
One of the most remarkable things about Keluang Man was how it introduced complex topics like mental health, corruption, and societal dysfunction in a way that felt accessible and entertaining. It was bold and ahead of its time, tackling taboo issues that were rarely addressed in local media. In doing so, it paved the way for a generation of local animators and storytellers to be more fearless with their creative work.
Even now, decades later, Keluang Man remains a nostalgic touchstone for Malaysians who grew up in the 90s. His iconic line—“Saya bukan gila… saya Keluang Man!”—continues to echo across social media, embedded in memes, fan edits, and tribute videos. The character’s legacy lives not only in the hearts of his original fans, but also in the passionate digital communities that keep his story alive.
Fan Revival and the 2025 Live-Action Reboot
In recent years, the internet has played a major role in resurrecting interest in Keluang Man. Classic episodes have been uploaded and circulated on YouTube, while fan art and reimaginings have gained traction on platforms like Reddit, Pinterest, and Facebook. What began as a nostalgic revival has transformed into a grassroots movement, with fans actively campaigning for a reboot that would bring the character into the modern age.
Their wish is finally coming true.
Slated for release on 29 May 2025, the highly anticipated live-action Keluang Man movie marks the superhero’s return to the mainstream. Early teasers promise a darker, more cinematic take while preserving the satirical edge and heart that made the original series beloved. The film is set to modernize Keluang Man’s world with updated visuals, richer storytelling, and a more nuanced portrayal of mental health—elements that today’s audience expect, but still respect the source material.
The rebooted Keluang Man will no longer just be a niche character remembered by 90s kids; he’s poised to become a national symbol once again—this time for a whole new generation. If handled with care and authenticity, the movie could reintroduce Malaysia’s original superhero not only to local audiences but potentially to a global stage, showcasing what makes our stories, our humor, and our heroes so uniquely Malaysian.
Final Thoughts: Why Keluang Man Still Matters
In an industry flooded with imported content, Keluang Man stood tall as a proudly Malaysian creation. It dared to show that local animation could be funny, sharp, and socially relevant. It made heroes out of the forgotten, and it made us laugh while making us think.
In a world that still struggles with mental health stigma and local representation, Keluang Man remains more relevant than ever.
Muzhameer Putra