7 months ago
Saudi Arabia Invests in Anime Industry
Saudi Arabia is putting a lot of money into the anime world.
They have a big plan called Vision 2030 to make their country stronger in different areas, not just oil.
They love anime and want to make their own shows and games.
They are working with big Japanese companies to do this.
Some people think Saudi Arabia is doing this to make their country look better and forget about some bad things they have done.
But Japan is happy to have Saudi Arabia invest in their anime industry because it is very popular all over the world.
Saudi Arabia is investing in the anime industry as part of its Vision 2030 programme to diversify its economy.
The Crown Prince's sovereign wealth fund has allocated $1 billion to launch Arena SNK Studios for acquiring anime and video game IP.
State-backed Manga Productions is co-producing original anime content with major Japanese partners.
Anime is highly popular in Saudi Arabia, with 30% of fans watching content daily.
The global anime industry generated a record-high 3.3 trillion yen (£15.4 billion) in 2023, with overseas revenue surpassing domestic revenue for the first time.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, through its sovereign wealth fund and state-backed studios, is investing in the anime industry.
- What
- Saudi Arabia is investing in anime to diversify its economy and gain cultural influence.
- Where
- The investments are targeting the global anime industry, with a focus on Saudi Arabia and Japan.
- When
- The investments are part of the Saudi Vision 2030 programme, launched in 2016.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy, establish cultural soft power, and capitalize on the growing anime market.
Key facts
- Saudi Vision 2030
- Programme to diversify Saudi economy and establish global leadership in various sectors, including entertainment.
- Arena SNK Studios
- Studio launched with $1 billion to acquire anime and video game intellectual property.
- Manga Productions
- State-backed studio co-producing original anime content with major Japanese partners.
- Anime Popularity in Saudi Arabia
- Anime has been a significant part of Saudi youth culture since the 1980s, with 30% of fans watching content daily.
- Global Anime Revenue
- Anime industry generated a record-high 3.3 trillion yen (£15.4 billion) in 2023, with overseas revenue surpassing domestic revenue.
- Japanese Prime Minister's Statement
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned the popularity of Japanese manga and anime and encouraged investment at a Saudi-led conference.
Quotes
The Telegraph
A British newspaper
“What the Saudis are doing now isn’t that different from what the US did exactly a century ago: win over the world by becoming its pop culture crucible”
theweek.com
“As anime rises in the box office ranks, Middle Eastern and American investors are circling the industry like sharks”
theweek.com
Variety
An American media company
“co-producing original content with major Japanese partners”
theweek.com
Arab News
A Saudi Arabian newspaper
“has been a significant part of Saudi youth culture since the 1980s”
theweek.com
Tarek Daouk
CEO of digital media agency Dentsu MENAT
“Vision 2030 was a chance to turn Saudi Arabia from a consuming community into one with the opportunity to produce anime of its own”
theweek.com
The Diplomat
An American online magazine
“cultural asset and soft power”
theweek.com
The Japan Times
A Japanese newspaper
“mentioning the popularity of Japanese manga and anime”
theweek.com
Sanae Takaichi
Prime Minister of Japan
“Just shut your mouths. Invest everything in me!”
theweek.com
Sources
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