JUMBO – an Animated Movie That Hits Right in the Feels (2025)

Okay, let’s talk about Jumbo—yes, that new Indonesian animated movie that everyone’s been talking about lately. If you haven’t watched it yet, trust me, you’re missing something special. I watched it last week, and... wow. I didn’t expect to cry over a cartoon. But here we are.

What’s It About?

The story follows Don, a 10-year-old kid who’s a bit bigger than most kids his age. That’s why people call him Jumbo. Not in a nice way, unfortunately. He’s an orphan, living with his grandma, and his favorite thing ever is this storybook from his parents.

One day, something magical happens. He meets Meri, a tiny glowing fairy who suddenly appears in his life and needs help finding her parents. Together, they go on this wild adventure filled with magical creatures, bullies, lost things, memories, and a lot of heart.

Oh, and his two loyal besties—Mae and Nurman—are the kind of friends we all wish we had growing up.

The Animation? SO Pretty

Let’s just say this: the visuals are chef’s kiss.

From the colors, lighting, and character design—it looks like a dream. You can really feel the love the animators put into every frame. There’s this one scene where the characters are flying through the sky and the background turns all pink and purple with glowing stars… literal goosebumps.

I still can’t believe this is made in Indonesia. It looks like something straight out of a Pixar or Studio Ghibli movie.

The Music = FEELS

Yes, the soundtrack also hits hard.

There’s this one song called “Selalu Ada di Nadimu”, sung by Prince Poetiray and Quinn Salman, that plays in one of the most emotional scenes. I’m not kidding, people were sniffling in the cinema.

And Maliq & D’Essentials has a song in there too! So good. The music really helps build that warm, nostalgic feeling.

What I Loved

• The message. The whole thing is about believing in yourself, even when people say mean things about you. Don doesn’t see himself as brave or special. But through this journey, he starts to realize he is important—just the way he is.

• The friendship. Don, Mae, and Nurman are like the dream trio. They argue sometimes, but they’re loyal and always support each other. It reminds me of friendships when I was a kid—pure and real.

• The fantasy world. I LOVED the fairy world. It’s magical, but still feels very local. You’ll see Indonesian touches everywhere—food stalls, village vibes, even panjat pinang! That part made me smile.

• The emotion. It’s not just a fun adventure. It’s about grief, memories, love, and how kids deal with hard things in life. It’s deep, but told in a way that’s easy to understand.

A Few Minor Things

Okay, not everything is perfect.

• Some parts felt a bit slow, especially in the middle. Like, I wanted them to get to the action faster.

• There was one random scene with a ghost speaking German (??), and I was like... what just happened?

• And a few product placements felt a bit too obvious (you’ll know what I mean when you see it).

But honestly? These are small things. The story and heart of the film are strong enough to make me forget them.

Why This Movie Feels Important

Not only is Jumbo entertaining, but it’s also kind of a big deal. This is the most successful Indonesian animated movie ever. It even beat some big international films in theaters. That’s crazy cool.

I feel proud seeing something so well-made come from here. It proves that we can tell our own stories, with our own style, and make people from all ages fall in love.

Also, the fact that Ryan Adriandhy made this as his first film? Respect. He nailed it.

Who Should Watch It?

• If you love animated movies like Up, Inside Out, or Coco—you’ll definitely love Jumbo.

• If you’re into fantasy and cute magical creatures—this is your thing.

• If you want to watch something with your siblings, kids, or even your parents—this is perfect for all ages.

• Or even if you just want to cry and feel things in a good way—go watch it.

Final Thoughts

Jumbo is warm, beautiful, and full of heart. It made me laugh, cry, and remember what it feels like to be a kid again. And more than anything, it made me proud to see an Indonesian animated movie that’s just... this good.

If you haven’t seen it yet—go watch it. Bring tissues.

Rating: 9/10 – Highly recommended. 

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