KUALA LUMPUR, 24 October 2025 – Malaysian-born comedian and YouTuber Nigel Ng, widely known for his viral alter-ego Uncle Roger, is expanding his creative universe with the upcoming launch of an animated series titled “Fried”.
Ng announced the new project on his Instagram page on 22 October, revealing that the series will explore Uncle Roger’s back-story, before the character became the internet sensation he is today. He described the setting as a rundown local mall food-court where Uncle Roger runs a stall, along with friends and adversaries, including a love interest named Helen.
The animation will be produced by Los Angeles-based studio Toonstar, with the first season reportedly consisting of 12 episodes of eight minutes each. Ng said that he will continue to voice Uncle Roger and remain closely involved in script and character development.
The move marks a significant evolution in Ng’s brand: from hosting reaction-style videos on YouTube to building a scripted animated narrative. Since his breakout in 2020 for his critiques of Asian-food preparation (notably egg-fried rice) under the Uncle Roger persona, Ng has amassed over 10 million YouTube subscribers and expanded into restaurants and live tours.
With Fried, Ng is tapping into the global trend of digital creators converting their personas into multi-format content. The use of animation also allows for greater storytelling scope and creative freedom beyond the short-form formats that built his following. He told Fast Company that the character’s appeal rests in the singular comedic voice behind it, and maintaining that ethos was key as he transitions into the animated medium.
From an Asian-perspective, this development carries several significance:
- It underscores the growing export potential of Asian-born digital creators into conventional entertainment formats.
- The fusion of comedic character rooted in Asian culture (Uncle Roger) with western-style animation production points to cross-cultural creative flows.
- For Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Nigel Ng’s progress may serve as a reference point for other local creators seeking global reach via new media formats.
Ng did not specify the exact release date for the series beyond stating teasers will drop later in 2025 on YouTube. The project also signals potential for merchandising, licensing and further brand spin-offs tied to the Uncle Roger character.
