Singapore-based Silver Media Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesian boxing legend Chris John to develop "Dragon's Dojo," a mobile-first vertical animated series built around Indonesian folklore. The project marks the first chapter of what the company is calling the ASERYA Asian Mythology Franchise.
A New Animated Universe Rooted in Indonesian Folklore
The venture brings together Silver Media Group, Chris John, longtime Indonesian television executive Harun Kurniawan, and Koollab Studios as co-production partners. "Dragon's Dojo" is designed to launch the broader ASERYA Universe, an interconnected franchise intended to span animation, comics, games and merchandise. The universe pairs real-world figures with young protagonists, folklore and mythical beings drawn from across Asia, with the stated goal of introducing Asian stories to global audiences.
From the Boxing Ring to the Dojo
The series follows ancient creatures that appear in the modern world, prompting heroes from different countries to confront a rising darkness threatening the region. In "Dragon's Dojo," Chris John takes on an animated alter ego as the head instructor and mentor at the show's namesake martial arts academy, which works with young people facing hardship. As creatures from Indonesian mythology emerge to threaten his students' community, the fight facing Chris and his pupils extends beyond monsters to their own inner struggles.
Chris John said martial arts involves more than learning how to fight, and that it teaches discipline, respect, courage and how to face life's challenges. "Throughout my career, boxing has taught me that the greatest victories are not only achieved in the ring, but also in overcoming the challenges we face every day," he said. He added that "Dragon's Dojo" brings those values into an adventure where young people can discover their own strength and purpose.
Building the ASERYA Universe
"Dragon's Dojo" is designed as a multi-platform franchise, with the series potentially extending into comics, games and merchandise. Silver Media Group founder and chief executive Chan Gin Kai said Asia holds some of the richest histories, cultures and mythologies in the world, yet many of these stories remain little known outside their home countries. "With ASERYA, we want to build an interconnected universe where these stories can come alive for a new generation of audiences," Chan said, describing "Dragon's Dojo" as combining Chris John's legacy as a champion with mythology, action and values-driven storytelling.
Industry Voices Behind the Project
Harun Kurniawan said Indonesia has extraordinary stories, legends and cultural heritage passed down through generations, and that the project offers a chance to bring those elements into a contemporary format for audiences around the world. Koollab Studios co-founder Oliver Guse said the future of entertainment will be shaped by the collaboration between human creativity, technology and new approaches to storytelling, calling "Dragon's Dojo" an opportunity to combine creative vision with new production possibilities while preserving the authenticity of Indonesia's culture and mythology.
What Comes Next
"Dragon's Dojo" is currently in development, with production and release details still to be announced. Silver Media Group was founded by Golden Horse Award-winning producer Chan Gin Kai and manages a portfolio of more than 1,500 intellectual property assets spanning film, animation, games and graphic novels. The company has also partnered with a fund manager licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to establish the Silver Media Fund, an institutional-grade investment vehicle focused on developing and financing scalable IP. Koollab Studios, co-founded by Guse after three decades in animation production, focuses on production workflows built around emerging technologies.
Source: Variety
