The Saudi Anime Exhibition, the largest anime expo in the Middle East and part of Riyadh Season 2022, kicked off in the Saudi capital on Thursday.
The three-day celebration offers fans the chance to tour a world of Japanese anime with more than 30 pavilions featuring the most popular anime characters. The fair will also present visitors with various activities that add to their experience and match all age groups.
“The exhibition is evidence of the diversity of the Riyadh Season in its third edition and meets all interests,” said the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) CEO Faisal Bafarat.
Bafarat reaffirmed that “the success of the exhibition’s first edition had resulted in expanding the partnership with the Japanese side.”
Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Iwai Fumio said he was happy to see the world of anime present and influential in the Kingdom. He recalled the successful experience of the movie “The Journey,” which reflected production cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
“The Journey” is a Saudi-Japanese animated film and is a collaboration between Riyadh-based Manga Productions and Tokyo-based Toei Studios.
Essam Bukhary, the CEO of Manga Productions, a subsidiary of MiSK Foundation, noted that Saudi Arabia had become a content producer under the leadership and vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Bukhary pointed to “The Journey” screening on over 40 international platforms.
Flocking to the exhibition, which is being held at the Riyadh Front, anime fans gathered in large numbers to discover personalities, competitions, and artistic evenings. Famous Japanese artist Miho Karasawa, also known as True, will perform at the expo alongside a lineup of other Japanese bands.
