Boxing Legend Chris John Steps Into Animation With Indonesian Folklore Series

Chris John, one of Indonesia's biggest boxing exports, just linked up with Singapore's Silver Media Group to develop Dragon's Dojo, a mobile-first animated series rooted in Indonesian folklore. This isn't just another fighting anime—it's the opening move in a bigger play called the ASERYA Asian Mythology Franchise, which suggests Silver Media Group has serious ambitions for expanding Southeast Asian IP globally.

The vertical format (built for phones and short-form platforms) is a smart move in 2024. Instead of chasing traditional TV slots, they're meeting audiences where they already are. John brings real credibility to a project about combat and martial arts, even if he's never made animation before—his name alone carries weight in Indonesia and across Asia.

What's interesting here is the cultural angle. Too much anime and animation leans heavily on Japanese and Korean mythology. An Indonesian-led project tapping into local folklore could fill a gap, especially if the execution is solid and the storytelling goes beyond surface-level action.

This move signals that Asian creators are building their own entertainment ecosystems instead of waiting for Western studios to greenlight their stories. Whether Dragon's Dojo hits or misses, the infrastructure they're building might matter more than any single series.

Read the full story at Variety → https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/boxing-legend-chris-john-animated-series-dragons-dojo-1236831269/