Kids starting their first day at two schools in Johor received a pleasant surprise yesterday when they were greeted by cosplayers.

Since then, photos of children posing with two Ultramen at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Rengit in Batu Pahat and Disney's Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Scientex in Pasir Gudang have gone viral.

For Noor Mazatul Azua Halim, having Mickey and Minnie greeting her nine-year-old-son Muhammad Aliff was a great way to start the school year.

"He was so excited and happy. He said if they could be at school every day, that would be the best," Noor Mazatul told Malaysiakini.

She hoped the school would do this every year and include even more characters loved by children.

Meanwhile, for Shaiful Rizal Massrol and Saslizawati Izam, the use of characters like the Ultramen helps to reduce first day blues and school jitters among children such as their seven-year-old son Muhammad Danish Irfan, who is just beginning his education.

"My son was happier and more excited to start school on his first day with the presence of heroes known by all such as Ultraman," Shaiful Rizal said.

It was also a fun experience for 26-year-olds Radin Amiruddin and Mohd Syahamirul Aizat, who dressed up as Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Tiga respectively.

Radin said he was shocked to see that the Year One kids were not crying at having to go to school, but were instead excited to meet the Ultramen and ask them questions.

"They asked easy questions: What is Ultraman's name? Where does he stay? What does he like to eat? Can he sing? Is there a real person underneath the costume?" he said when contacted.

Schools in Johor opened their classrooms yesterday as New Year's Day is not a public holiday in the state. School and working days in Johor begin on a Sunday.