We Watched 70 Raya 2025 Ads And It Was Full Of Plot Twists

Raya’s around the corner. And you know what that means? Another year of Raya ads, whopee!

Festive ads have always found their way to tug at our heartstrings. We’ve seen our fair share of them in last year’s ads. So, how will this year’s measure up to last year’s?

Cuz we know uolz have different stimuli, we’ve been categorising the ads based on whether they made us bawl our eyes out, laugh our heads off or the like in the past. Things seem to be a lot different this year, however, as many brands clearly tried to do something other than what makes Raya ads, Raya ads. You get what I mean? You don’t, do you?

Anyhowwww, without further ado, let’s get down to this year’s list! Here’s our top picks out of the 70 ads we reviewed this year for the top plot twists, good laughs, unsung heroes, and musical ads. Here’s the playlist to all 70 of them and feel free to skip to only the categories you’re interested in.

Anime-worthy Raya Plot Twists

1. Julies Biscuits

Stories about kids not visiting home aren’t uncommon. But what if your kid couldn’t visit simply because their circumstances didn’t allow them to? Like being in prison. You couldn’t imagine the lengths this grandpa would go to see his grandkid who’s been unresponsive to his letters. The ad has a good balance of humour, heartwarming, and tearjerking moments to deliver its message on forgiving one’s self in the season of forgiveness.

2. BHPetrol

The first few minutes had us fooled. When the old man demanded that he wanted to marry another woman this Raya, his kids were understandably exasperated at his request. But it’s not just any woman – it’s his own wife of 40 years.

3. TodakGaming

My initial thought when the grandkids got their grandma a gaming chair instead of a normal chair like she wanted:

But at least they’re helping their granny out with the Raya preps cuz who would want their duit raya to be cancelled? Yeah, that’s where all the fun and games end cuz as it turns out, their grandma DIED 3 YEARS AGO.

Was it all just in the MC’s head? Was he delulu all along? Probably but the poor guy merely misses his grandma so much that he imagined her being home for Raya. The ending even made me shed a tear a little. What a plot twist.

Gave us a good chuckle

1. FamilyMart

A Mak Cik laughing hysterically whilst making a Maneki Neko onigiri was certainly not on my 2025 bingo’s list. The ad’s filled with amusing cross-cultural slip-ups between a Malay and Japanese family attempting to learn about each other’s practices before the latter’s Raya visit. Several anime references to Sailor Moon and Detective Conan were a nice touch that got my inner fangirl screaming, understandable given that the franchise originated from Japan.

Though it is a bit of a stretch to march up to your relatives and do the “kiri, kanan, kiri” to greet them. 

2. Mr DIY

Name a similarity between dieting and the immigration process. Can’t think of any? Then this Wes Anderson-inspired ad could help you out.

The visual treat cleverly reinterprets that idea as an immigration process where the MC filters the applications of foods before allowing them to pass. Production is top-tier and has a good balance of humour and music, with the grandma delivering the punchline lesson at the end of the ad. Oh, and it features Syafiq Kyle as Mr. Banana.

3. Farm Fresh

Imagine you’re on the phone with your mum and she gave you no context as to what “itu” is that she wants you to bring home for Raya. But there can be nothing other than a boyfriend/girlfriend cuz they want you to give them grandkids what else can it be? Yeah, misunderstandings and good ol’ 90s-esque karaoke sessions ensue.

Musical Fest

1. ZUS Coffee

Probably one of the few music video ads for this Raya. ZUS pulled a wild card on this one by featuring horror elements which totally did not keep me awake at night in a season of forgiveness. If anything, the amusing lyrics and Luqman Podolski’s singing were enough to distract me from them and remind me that “Ah yes, this is still meant for Raya.”

2. Hong Leong Bank

It’s all smiles when you’re decked in your new drip and surrounded by loved ones for Raya. Instead of a mini film, HLB took on a musical approach for their Raya ad with this catchy song sung by none other than One in a Million alum, Alif Satar.

The heroes of Raya 2025

1. ASNB

If anything, this ad made us realise that sometimes, siblings make sacrifices for their family too. The female lead giving up her university offer to become the sole breadwinner and support her siblings? Sister of the Year Award goes to- *drum rolls*

2. RHB

It’s wild that we can take seemingly ordinary things like Baju Raya for granted. Some have Baju Raya to celebrate Raya with. But some, like orphans, aren’t as fortunate. The ad highlights this based on a true story about a good Samaritan who jumpstarted a donation drive for Raya clothes for orphans after visiting an orphanage.

The project, IRL called Baju Raya Project, began in 2013 and makes the rounds between several areas like KL and JB for their donation drive. Peeps can drop off their clothes for donation here, and if you wish to stay posted on their next one, follow their Facebook page here or X (formerly known as Twitter) here.

Each Have Their Own Hari Raya Story To Tell

So which of these did you like? If they weren’t enough, we do have a few honourable mentions:

• Syukur by CelcomDigi featuring Malaysian singer-songwriter, Yuna
• KENAL by PKNS
• Raya Terunggul Watsons by Watsons

And if they’re STILL not enough for you, we do have that 70-ad playlist for you to binge-watch. Nyehe

Whether it’s plot twists or putting the spotlight on unsung heroes, stories behind each ad all seek to convey a piece of Raya spirit – forgiveness and being together with our loved ones during this season.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI EVELIBODI!!!