Tokyo, November 4, 2026: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk”, participated as a sponsor of TOKYO ANIME NEXT, held in Tokyo, Japan, from October 30 to November 2, 2026, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its international presence and strengthening creative partnerships with Japan.
As part of the event, Manga Productions participated in a panel discussion titled “Two Cultures, One Story: Behind the Scenes of Saudi-Japanese Co-Production.” The session featured Noor aljijakli, Production Manager at Manga Productions, and Makoto Kimura, Representative Director and Producer at Japan’s BLUE RIGHTS. The speakers shared insights into the creative journey behind the short anime film produced to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day, from concept development to final production. The discussion highlighted how Saudi-Japanese creative collaboration brought elements of Saudi culture to life through the distinctive art of Japanese anime.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, emphasized that the success of the company’s Saudi National Day anime productions demonstrates the growing global appeal of Saudi creative content. He highlighted that the anime film celebrating Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day surpassed 111 million views, while the film produced for the 95th National Day received the Platinum Award at the 2025 MUSE Creative Awards in the Animation category and was named a finalist at the World Film Festival in Cannes, France. Dr. Bukhary noted that these achievements reflect Saudi Arabia’s creative potential in bringing culturally inspired stories to international audiences, underscoring the importance of global partnerships in producing world-class Saudi content and strengthening the Kingdom’s presence in the global anime industry.
Sara Oulddaddah, Creative Director at Manga Productions, added:“Producing a video celebrating our National Day has become an annual tradition at Manga Productions, presenting our team with a unique and enjoyable challenge each year to create something inspiring and impactful. We look forward to producing more successful works and building global partnerships that foster meaningful cultural exchange and knowledge sharing. Through these enriching experiences and the dedication of our team, we aim to further advance the localization of the animation industry in the Kingdom and empower Saudi talent to create inspiring works for future generations and audiences worldwide, rooted in our authentic Saudi identity and culture.”
TOKYO ANIME NEXT marks a new chapter for the Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF), with its inaugural edition held in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district ahead of the event’s full international launch in 2027. The program featured anime screenings, exhibitions, workshops, educational activities, and panel discussions, culminating in an orchestral performance accompanied by scenes from iconic Japanese anime productions. The event aims to strengthen the global reach of Japanese anime while fostering connections among industry professionals, audiences, and future generations of creators.
Manga Productions’ sponsorship reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening cultural and creative ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, advancing talent development, and promoting international co-productions in the anime industry, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to develop the Kingdom’s creative industries. The company previously sponsored the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2026, held from March 13 to 16, further demonstrating its continued engagement with Japan’s anime industry and its support for leading international industry events.
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