Manga Productions Impresses Global Audiences with Anime and Saudi Culture at AnimeJapan 2026
Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), participated in AnimeJapan 2026, held in Tokyo, Japan, from March 28 to 31 at Tokyo Big Sight, one of the world’s most prominent events dedicated to the anime and creative entertainment industry, which attracted more than 150,000 visitors from around the world.
The participation of Manga Productions witnessed visits from prominent figures, including Japan’s Minister of State Onoda Kimi, and Member of the Japanese Parliament and former Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ken Akamatsu, as well as several Japanese company executives, where discussions highlighted the role of creative content in strengthening cultural exchange, as well as the company’s efforts in empowering talent and building partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
This year’s participation marked Manga Productions’ second consecutive year as an official sponsor of the event, reaffirming the company’s commitment to strengthening the presence of Saudi companies in the global anime industry and reinforcing its position as a creative and strategic partner in this rapidly growing sector. Manga Productions participated throughout the four days of the exhibition, covering both the Public Days and the Business Days dedicated to companies and industry professionals. The company presented an interactive booth that offered visitors the opportunity to explore Saudi culture while enjoying a range of engaging activities that blended entertainment with creativity.
Manga Productions’ booth featured a range of cultural and interactive experiences reflecting Saudi identity. Highlights included a Saudi Lounge inspired by traditional settings, opportunities for visitors to try on traditional attire and take commemorative photos, Arabic calligraphy name writing, as well as interactive games and digital displays showcasing the company’s creative projects and productions. The participation also received strong positive engagement across social media platforms, in addition to significant attendance from major Japanese media outlets covering the event.
In addition, CEO of Manga Productions Dr. Essam Bukhary participated in a business seminar held as part of the event, where he delivered a session 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 the region’s growing role as a creative partner in production and international collaboration. It also highlighted opportunities for Japanese companies to work with partners in the region to develop sustainable co-production projects that contributed to shaping the future of the global anime industry.
Additionally, Director of Marketing and Communications at Manga Productions Abdulaziz Almowani stated: “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.”
This participation was part of Manga Productions’ ongoing efforts to expand international collaboration with leading Japanese companies and studios, while supporting the development of Saudi creative content and presenting it to global audiences, thereby further positioning the Kingdom as an influential player in the global entertainment industry.
Through its international partnerships and creative projects, Manga Productions continued to export Saudi stories and content to global audiences, contributing to the growth of an innovative creative sector aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aimed to develop the creative economy and strengthen the Kingdom’s presence in the global entertainment landscape.
