Biography
Akbar de Wighar, also known as Wighar, (born June 20, 1988) is an animation director, entrepreneur, and musician. He is one of the three co-founders and the current CEO of the motion picture production company KARTENZ. He gained recognition as the creator of the virtual band CHUCKILL. Akbar has introduced several innovations in animation production and co-created the fashion line MAJOR REBEL.
Life & Education
Akbar de Wighar was born in Salatiga, a small town in Central Java, Indonesia. His father, Enggar Suwargadi, was a camera operator, and his mother, Endang Sadewi, was skilled in baking cakes and cookies. His maternal grandfather served in the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI). Akbar's creativity stems from his parents, combined with the hardworking spirit exemplified by his grandfather.
In 1992, Akbar’s family moved from Salatiga to Jakarta. In early 2006, he enrolled at the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (Institut Kesenian Jakarta, IKJ), pursuing his dream of establishing an animation studio and developing his own animated characters.
Career
In early 2010, following his father's death due to diabetes, Akbar shifted his focus from college to work, ultimately not completing his studies before founding Kartenz. Known for his calm demeanor, Akbar is also a dynamic individual who balanced college and work simultaneously. He began his career in 2008 as a drawing instructor at Global Jaya International School. In 2010, he worked as a motion graphics designer for ANTV, an Indonesian television network based in Jakarta. Eventually, he realized the value of running his own business.
Founder of Kartenz
Kartenz Animation Studios, based in Jakarta, produces computer-animated feature films, shorts, and television specials. Founded on March 3, 2012, the studio created three fictional characters—Boston "Mr. B" Kintpus, Jonathan "Joke" Kersky, and Shinta Hepburn—featured in the virtual band Chuckill. Akbar and his brother founded Kartenz after Akbar left his position as a designer at a television network in early 2012. The studio initially operated from his mother’s kitchen, producing content for advertising companies before expanding to create original animated characters.
Today, Kartenz Studios operates as a film division subsidiary of Kartenz Company, a family entertainment and media enterprise with three business segments: Media Networks, Theme Parks, and Studio Entertainment. Despite challenges in entering the global market, Akbar emphasizes the importance of business integrity and market awareness. Kartenz aims to deliver creative concepts for future theme parks, resorts, TV programs, characters, games, videos, music, and more. The company plans to develop Kartenz Park, a theme park designed around Kartenz’s animated characters, with concepts created by Kartenz Studios. Though the advertising campaign has yet to launch, this project demonstrates the company’s vision for the future.
