What I love here is that the sector’s strategy emphasises co-production rather than mere importation or imitation.

The Saudi manga industry is maturing from niche hobby to professional sector, a Jeddah Book Fair 2025 dialogue revealed.

The session, organised by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, highlighted rapid evolution from individual initiatives into a state-backed cultural movement with commercial viability.

Institutional Framework Driving Growth

State-supported entities like Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the MiSK Foundation, lead this transformation. The industry benefits from systematic infrastructure spanning concept development, scriptwriting, illustration, and design. This institutional approach has fostered a distinct artistic identity reflecting Saudi cultural values while embracing global standards.

Market Context and Consumer Base

Saudi Arabia commands the Middle East’s largest anime audience – 15 million viewers in 2024 alone, representing nearly 25% of regional consumption.

Themed streaming platforms, dedicated expos attracting thousands annually, and forthcoming attractions such as a Dragon Ball theme park in Qiddiya underscore market depth. This fandom base provides a captive audience for domestic content.

Collaborative Production Models

What I love is that the sector’s strategy emphasises co-production rather than mere importation or imitation.

Manga Productions partners with Japanese studios like Toei Animation on projects including The Journey – the first Arab film to premiere at Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre – and Future’s Folktales.

American collaborations, such as with Telltale Games, demonstrate cross-market ambitions. CEO Essam Bukhary frames this as “made with” partnerships, positioning Saudi IP as globally competitive.

Professional Ecosystem and Challenges

Key obstacles include distribution access, creator remuneration, and workflow standardisation. However, integrated distribution strategies developed at concept stage, 360-degree IP monetisation (spanning merchandise, gaming, and tourism), and early-stage planning mitigate traditional publishing hurdles.

A Guinness World Record 33-metre Grendizer statue exemplifies how physical activations drive ancillary revenue streams.

Talent Development Pipeline

Systematic investment in local creators includes national manga competitions, free online classes reaching 3.5 million (not a typo, I’m assured) students, Japanese professional training, and overseas internships.

This “brainware” development ensures sustainable talent pipelines.

Publications like Manga Al-Arabia magazine achieve 400,000 monthly print circulation and 7.5 million digital users, demonstrating viable distribution channels.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.