Saudi National Day anime surpasses 111 million views

Manga Productions participated as a sponsor of TOKYO ANIME NEXT, held in Tokyo from October 30 to November 2, 2026. The subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) used the event to show the anime short produced for Saudi Arabia's National Day and share the numbers it has achieved.

During the event, the company took part in the panel "Two Cultures, One Story: Behind the Scenes of Saudi-Japanese Co-Production." Noor Aljijakli, production manager at Manga Productions, and Makoto Kimura, representative director and producer at BLUE RIGHTS, the Japanese studio they worked with, were there.

The talk focused on the creative process of the animated short, from concept to final production. They also explained how the collaboration between both countries brought elements of Saudi culture into the visual language of Japanese anime.

More than 111 million views

Manga Productions CEO Dr. Essam Bukhary did not miss the chance to share results. The anime celebrating Saudi Arabia's 96th National Day surpassed 111 million views. And the short for the 95th anniversary won the Platinum Award at the MUSE Creative Awards 2025 in the animation category, in addition to being a finalist at the Cannes World Film Festival.

Bukhary said these achievements reflect Saudi Arabia's creative potential to bring stories with cultural roots to international audiences. He also highlighted the importance of global alliances to produce world-class content and strengthen the kingdom's presence in the anime industry.

The debut of TOKYO ANIME NEXT

TOKYO ANIME NEXT marked the beginning of a new stage for the Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF). Its first edition was held in the Ikebukuro district, as a prelude to the event's full international launch in 2027.

The program included screenings, exhibitions, workshops, educational activities, and discussion panels. It closed with an orchestral performance accompanied by scenes from iconic Japanese anime productions.

With its sponsorship, Manga Productions seeks to strengthen cultural and creative ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, boost talent development, and promote international co-productions. All within the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the kingdom's creative industries.