Latest news with #EssamBukhary
Broadcast Pro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Manga Productions and Koei Tecmo Games partner to publish ‘Nioh 3' in MENA
As part of the collaboration, Manga Productions will oversee Arabic localisation, marketing, and publishing for the Middle East and North Africa region. Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), has partnered with Japan's Koei Tecmo Games to publish the upcoming action RPG Nioh 3 across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The game is slated for a global simultaneous release in early 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Steam. Nioh 3 continues the critically acclaimed Nioh series, known for its dark samurai narrative, mythological elements, and punishing combat. Building on a franchise that has sold over 8m units worldwide, the new installment introduces an open field environment and a dual fighting system, enabling players to fluidly switch between 'Samurai' and 'Ninja' styles in real time. Under the new partnership, Manga Productions will oversee Arabic localisation, marketing, and regional distribution. The company plans to involve Saudi creatives in the adaptation process to ensure authenticity and cultural relevance for Arabic-speaking gamers. Dr Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, emphasised that the collaboration reflects the company's ability to deliver world-class content while nurturing local talent. He noted that Manga's growing international recognition highlights its strength in regional publishing and marketing. Following their successful cooperation on Dynasty Warriors: Origins, which earned praise for its culturally sensitive localisation, both companies are aiming to build on that momentum. Hisashi Koinuma, President and COO of Koei Tecmo Games, expressed confidence in the continued partnership with Manga Productions, stating that the reception of Dynasty Warriors: Origins demonstrated the region's enthusiasm for well-localized Japanese titles. Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh, Manga Productions' Director of Business Development and Content Licensing, said the aim with Nioh 3 is to create a localised experience that resonates from day one, offering Arabic players a seamless and immersive journey when the title launches globally. This partnership reinforces the growing influence of MENA in the global gaming market and underlines Manga Productions' commitment to delivering content that speaks directly to regional audiences while setting new standards for Arabic localisation in the gaming industry.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Manga Productions to Publish 'Nioh 3' in MENA with Arabic Localization
Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), announced on Tuesday its partnership with KOEI TECMO GAMES as the official publisher of the highly anticipated action title 'Nioh 3' in the Middle East and North Africa region. The game is scheduled for a worldwide simultaneous launch in early 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Steam. In a statement, Manga Production said 'Nioh 3' marks the latest chapter in the acclaimed dark samurai action RPG series, celebrated for its unique blend of Japanese mythology and intense combat. With over eight million units sold worldwide, the Nioh series has established itself as a global favorite. This new installment adopts an open field environment and a new battle system that allows players to switch between the two fighting styles "Samurai" and "Ninja" in real time during combat. As part of the collaboration, Manga Productions will lead the Arabic localization, marketing, and regional publishing efforts. In line with the company's mission to empower local talent, Manga Productions will involve Saudi creatives in the localization process, ensuring a culturally resonant and high-quality experience for Arabic-speaking players. Manga Productions CEO Dr. Essam Bukhary said the launch of 'Nioh 3' with Arabic support for gamers in the region is another step toward delivering world-class experiences while empowering Saudi talent throughout every stage of development. 'The trust we've earned from our global partners reflects Manga Productions' strong capabilities in publishing, distribution, and marketing, as well as our continued success in delivering high-quality, culturally relevant content to audiences across the region,' he stated. Manga Productions and KOEI TECMO GAMES remain committed to delivering high-quality entertainment that reflects the growing passion and potential of the gaming community across the Middle East. KOEI TECMO GAMES President and COO Hisashi Koinuma stressed: 'After the positive reception of DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, we're excited to deepen our partnership with Manga Productions to bring Nioh 3 to Arabic-speaking audiences, fully localized and tailored to their expectations.' Manga Productions Business Development and Content Licensing Director Eng. Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh said: 'Following our collaboration on DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, which was praised for delivering an Arabic experience that felt original rather than translated, Nioh 3 is our next step in raising that standard.' 'We're committed to offering players a seamless, fully localized journey that feels like it was made for them from day one of the worldwide simultaneous launch,' he remarked.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Not Just Participating, Designing the Future': Manga Productions's CEO Essam Bukhary on the Saudi Studio's MIFA Debut
Saudi Arabia's long-standing fascination with Japanese anime is rapidly evolving into a full-fledged creative industry, and State-backed Manga Productions is at the center of that transformation. Led by CEO Essam Bukhary, the studio has gone from licensing beloved titles like 'Grendizer' to co-producing original content such as 'The Journey' and 'Future's Folktales' with major Japanese partners like Toei Animation. More from Variety Steph Curry, Gabrielle Union, Caleb McLaughlin Lead A-List Voice Cast for Sony's Animated Feature 'GOAT' Marvel Animation Premieres First Episode of 'Eyes of Wakanda' at France's Annecy Animation Festival L.A.'s Animation Is Film Unveils October Dates for 2025 Edition, Fest Poster (EXCLUSIVE) The company's ambitious slate of anime films, series, and video games represents more than entertainment, it reflects Saudi Arabia's broader cultural and economic diversification efforts. With a new Dragon Ball theme park underway in Qiddiya and Saudi IPs making waves at the box office and on global streaming platforms, Bukhary is not only helping shape a regional industry, he's positioning it as a serious global contender. As he puts it, 'We're not just participating, we're designing the future.' Bukhary is attending the Annecy Animation Festival for the first time this year. The executive met with Variety ahead of the event to discuss his insights into the Kingdom's growing role in the global animation market, Manga Productions' distribution strategy and how homegrown talent is being nurtured through national training programs and international collaborations. Why is anime so deeply rooted in Saudi culture? It all began in the early 1980s. My generation grew up watching Japanese anime on television. That exposure created a lifelong connection. Even today, my 14-year-old daughter watched 'Haikyuu!!' and was inspired to play volleyball. Anime has had a tangible impact on our lives, and continues to do so. In 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia had around 15 million anime viewers, which was nearly a quarter of all anime viewership in the Arab world. Manga Productions is producing original content now, but the Kingdom has traditionally been an importer of media. How important is it for you to flip that script? It's essential. We've been importing stories for decades, but now it's time to export our own. A Saudi story, told with authenticity, has the power to resonate globally. Our film 'The Journey' is a good example. It was the first Arab movie to premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and has been distributed in over 50 platforms worldwide. It even won awards at the Septimius Awards. We're proving that Saudi stories can compete on the world stage. For new IPs like 'The Journey' and 'Future's Folktales,' are they fully Saudi productions, or are you working with international partners? They're co-productions. I don't say 'made in Saudi' or 'made in Japan.' I say 'made with.' These projects reflect collaboration. We're also working with American companies like Telltale Games on co-developing titles. So yes, we're very open to international co-productions. That's where the future of IP creation lies. How is Saudi Arabia's animation boom impacting the broader economy? It's part of a larger IP economy. Take 'Grendizer,' we didn't just distribute the anime; we licensed it for games and merchandising and even built a 33-meter statue that earned a Guinness World Record. This drove tourism and created a 360-degree revenue model. This is bigger than screens, it's about creating ecosystems that include entertainment, retail, hospitality and beyond. Distribution is a major hurdle for many animation studios. How does having in-house distribution change the game for you? It's a massive advantage. Many creators finish their work and then struggle to find an audience. At Manga, we start distribution planning early, at the concept stage. It helps with financing and exposure. We've built global partnerships and are actively managing IP across multiple platforms, not just producing content. For a young Saudi artist dreaming of working in animation, what opportunities exist today that didn't a few years ago? A lot. We've partnered with the Ministry of Education to offer free online manga classes to 3.5 million students. We run national manga contests. We've brought in Japanese professionals for in-person training, and we send top students to Japan for internships. It's about investing in 'brainware,' creative thinking and storytelling. Many of our current team members started through these programs. What's on the schedule for Manga Productions at Annecy this year? This is my first time attending the Annecy Festival itself, though I've visited the city before. I'm excited to network, explore future trends and showcase Manga Productions' work. Annecy is the perfect place to listen, learn and build partnerships for the future. Do you envision Saudi Arabia hosting its own industry-focused animation festival or market one day? That's the dream. We've already sponsored Anime Japan in Tokyo and are working on bringing Japanese IPs to events like Riyadh Season. We're not just participating—we're designing the future. We regularly host anime directors and producers in Saudi to engage with youth. Building an industry event here is a natural next step. What are you most proud of since launching Manga Productions in 2017? The team. We started with nothing, no staff, no office, no studio. Today, we have 80 employees across Riyadh and Tokyo, many of whom came through our training programs. One of our interns from 2018 is now directing episodes of 'Future's Folktales.' That's the real success: empowering the next generation of Saudi creators. Best of Variety All the Godzilla Movies Ranked Final Oscar Predictions: International Feature – United Kingdom to Win Its First Statuette With 'The Zone of Interest' 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Not Just Participating, Designing the Future': Manga Productions's CEO Essam Bukhary on the Saudi Studio's MIFA Debut
Saudi Arabia's long-standing fascination with Japanese anime is rapidly evolving into a full-fledged creative industry, and State-backed Manga Productions is at the center of that transformation. Led by CEO Essam Bukhary, the studio has gone from licensing beloved titles like 'Grendizer' to co-producing original content such as 'The Journey' and 'Future's Folktales' with major Japanese partners like Toei Animation. More from Variety Steph Curry, Gabrielle Union, Caleb McLaughlin Lead A-List Voice Cast for Sony's Animated Feature 'GOAT' Marvel Animation Premieres First Episode of 'Eyes of Wakanda' at France's Annecy Animation Festival L.A.'s Animation Is Film Unveils October Dates for 2025 Edition, Fest Poster (EXCLUSIVE) The company's ambitious slate of anime films, series, and video games represents more than entertainment, it reflects Saudi Arabia's broader cultural and economic diversification efforts. With a new Dragon Ball theme park underway in Qiddiya and Saudi IPs making waves at the box office and on global streaming platforms, Bukhary is not only helping shape a regional industry, he's positioning it as a serious global contender. As he puts it, 'We're not just participating, we're designing the future.' Bukhary is attending the Annecy Animation Festival for the first time this year. The executive met with Variety ahead of the event to discuss his insights into the Kingdom's growing role in the global animation market, Manga Productions' distribution strategy and how homegrown talent is being nurtured through national training programs and international collaborations. Why is anime so deeply rooted in Saudi culture? It all began in the early 1980s. My generation grew up watching Japanese anime on television. That exposure created a lifelong connection. Even today, my 14-year-old daughter watched 'Haikyuu!!' and was inspired to play volleyball. Anime has had a tangible impact on our lives, and continues to do so. In 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia had around 15 million anime viewers, which was nearly a quarter of all anime viewership in the Arab world. Manga Productions is producing original content now, but the Kingdom has traditionally been an importer of media. How important is it for you to flip that script? It's essential. We've been importing stories for decades, but now it's time to export our own. A Saudi story, told with authenticity, has the power to resonate globally. Our film 'The Journey' is a good example. It was the first Arab movie to premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and has been distributed in over 50 platforms worldwide. It even won awards at the Septimius Awards. We're proving that Saudi stories can compete on the world stage. For new IPs like 'The Journey' and 'Future's Folktales,' are they fully Saudi productions, or are you working with international partners? They're co-productions. I don't say 'made in Saudi' or 'made in Japan.' I say 'made with.' These projects reflect collaboration. We're also working with American companies like Telltale Games on co-developing titles. So yes, we're very open to international co-productions. That's where the future of IP creation lies. How is Saudi Arabia's animation boom impacting the broader economy? It's part of a larger IP economy. Take 'Grendizer,' we didn't just distribute the anime; we licensed it for games and merchandising and even built a 33-meter statue that earned a Guinness World Record. This drove tourism and created a 360-degree revenue model. This is bigger than screens, it's about creating ecosystems that include entertainment, retail, hospitality and beyond. Distribution is a major hurdle for many animation studios. How does having in-house distribution change the game for you? It's a massive advantage. Many creators finish their work and then struggle to find an audience. At Manga, we start distribution planning early, at the concept stage. It helps with financing and exposure. We've built global partnerships and are actively managing IP across multiple platforms, not just producing content. For a young Saudi artist dreaming of working in animation, what opportunities exist today that didn't a few years ago? A lot. We've partnered with the Ministry of Education to offer free online manga classes to 3.5 million students. We run national manga contests. We've brought in Japanese professionals for in-person training, and we send top students to Japan for internships. It's about investing in 'brainware,' creative thinking and storytelling. Many of our current team members started through these programs. What's on the schedule for Manga Productions at Annecy this year? This is my first time attending the Annecy Festival itself, though I've visited the city before. I'm excited to network, explore future trends and showcase Manga Productions' work. Annecy is the perfect place to listen, learn and build partnerships for the future. Do you envision Saudi Arabia hosting its own industry-focused animation festival or market one day? That's the dream. We've already sponsored Anime Japan in Tokyo and are working on bringing Japanese IPs to events like Riyadh Season. We're not just participating—we're designing the future. We regularly host anime directors and producers in Saudi to engage with youth. Building an industry event here is a natural next step. What are you most proud of since launching Manga Productions in 2017? The team. We started with nothing, no staff, no office, no studio. Today, we have 80 employees across Riyadh and Tokyo, many of whom came through our training programs. One of our interns from 2018 is now directing episodes of 'Future's Folktales.' That's the real success: empowering the next generation of Saudi creators. Best of Variety All the Godzilla Movies Ranked Final Oscar Predictions: International Feature – United Kingdom to Win Its First Statuette With 'The Zone of Interest' 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Jeddah communication conference explores anime's digital evolution
RIYADH: The eighth session of the Digital Communication Conference, titled 'Anime in the Digital Space,' explored the transformation of Japanese anime over the past two decades, highlighting the impact of digital innovation and the internet. According to Saudi Press Agency, the session focused on anime's shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production. Streaming giants such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation were highlighted as pivotal players in the transition, offering translated or dubbed episodes immediately upon release and funding original series such as 'Devilman Crybaby' and 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.' Speakers in the session, including Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary, said that social media and online forums have opened the door to unprecedented engagement among fans, as well as community and cultural interaction, since audiences now take part in evaluating episodes. Concerns were raised that heavy dependence on technology could erode the handcrafted aesthetic that defines traditional anime. Saudi Arabia's burgeoning interest in manga and anime, which dates back to the 1970s, is helping to usher in a revolution in cultural production. Japanese art forms have captivated audiences of all ages, gaining significant popularity in recent years. Their ability to combine entertainment, culture and education has made them of great interest to Saudi society. To support this interest, the General Entertainment Authority has hosted events like the Saudi Anime Expo, drawing international visitors. In line with these efforts, the ministries of culture and education launched the Manga Education program to nurture student talent, as well as integrate arts and culture into public education.
