TOKYO: Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, participated in AnimeJapan 2026, one of the world’s most popular events related to anime, from March 28 to 31, displaying Saudi Arabia’s culture and talent to a global audience.
Participating throughout the four days of the event, the Manga Productions booth featured cultural and interactive experiences highlighting Saudi Arabia’s heritage and identity, such as a lounge inspired by traditional Saudi settings, Arabic calligraphy, name writing and interactive games.
“The company’s participation in AnimeJapan 2026 reflects its commitment to strengthening the global presence of Saudi content and building strategic partnerships with leading players in the anime industry, contributing to the development of the creative sector and showcasing Saudi talent on the international stage,” said Abdulaziz Al-Mowani, director of marketing and communications at Manga Productions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prominent locals to visit the booth included Kimi Onoda, Japan’s minister of State, as well as Ken Akamatsu, member of the Japanese Parliament and former vice minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology.
Additionally, Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, took part in a business seminar during the event titled “From Emerging Market to Strategic Partner: The Middle East Shaping the Future of Anime.”
The session explored the evolution of the anime industry in the Middle East and considered opportunities to work alongside Japanese companies to develop co-production projects in the future.
This is the company’s second consecutive participation as an official sponsor of the event, highlighting the Kingdom’s presence in global events as well as strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.
The participation reflects the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to develop creative content and reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s presence in the global entertainment landscape.
