Saudi Arabian deal will see manga series including Fist of the North Star released in Arabic

A Saudi distributor has signed a licensing agreement that will bring popular manga, including Fist of the North Star, to the country.

Manga Arabia, a prominent Middle Eastern manga distribution platform based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has announced the signing of a licensing agreement with the Japanese manga publisher Coamix.

This partnership is set to introduce a wide selection of popular Japanese manga titles to the Arabic-speaking audience across the Middle East through Manga Arabia’s digital platform and retail channels.

The deal allows Coamix and Manga Arabia to bring many manga series to Saudi Arabia for the first time

Manga Arabia operates as a subsidiary of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), a major media conglomerate in the Middle East.

Since its inception, Manga Arabia has rapidly grown its user base, currently boasting over 12 million registered users on its platform.

The Manga Arabia app not only provides access to a vast library of manga content but also features an integrated online store, allowing users to purchase physical copies of books and other related merchandise.

Coamix, is a well-respected Japanese manga publisher known for managing a diverse portfolio of critically acclaimed and commercially successful manga series that are popular both within Japan and internationally.

Arabic translations of series, including Record of Ragnarok, are expected following this deal

The series now available to Manga Arabia includes iconic titles such as the martial arts action Fist of the North Star, the action comedy City Hunter and the more recent hit Record of Ragnarok, a mythological battle manga that has gained a global fan base following its anime adaptation.

Commenting on the newly established partnership, Manga Arabia’s president and editor-in-chief, Bukhari Isam, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “We are very pleased to partner with Coamix. We hope that this partnership will allow us to deliver a wider range of works to manga fans in the Middle East.”

Both Ishikawa Yoshihiro and Bukhari Isam were enthusiastic about the licensing agreement

Coamix director Yoshihiro Ishikawa conveyed his honor in having Coamix -managed works published by Manga Arabia.

He articulated the publisher’s philosophy, stating: “We are thrilled to be able to deliver emotion and happiness to manga fans in the Middle East through our work.”

Ishikawa also expressed Coamix ‘s hope to provide manga that will bring joy to people in the Middle East and envisioned a future where manga artists from the region will create works that resonate globally, fostering greater cultural exchange and excitement between Japan and the Middle East through the medium of manga.

This licensing agreement marks a significant step in further popularizing Japanese manga within the Middle East, a region with a growing interest in Japanese popular culture, including anime and manga.

Manga Arabia’s established digital infrastructure and growing retail presence, combined with Coamix’s catalog of popular and diverse titles, creates a strong foundation for reaching a wide audience of Arabic-speaking readers.

There is a growing interest in Japanese culture and media in Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia

The translation of these works into Arabic will make them more accessible to local fans, potentially fostering a deeper appreciation for Japanese storytelling and artistic styles.

The partnership also highlights the increasing globalization of manga and the recognition of its broad appeal across different cultures.

As Manga Arabia continues to expand its platform and Coamix seeks to reach new international markets, this collaboration is expected to be mutually beneficial, contributing to the growth of the manga industry in the Middle East and further solidifying the global footprint of Japanese manga.

Source: Otaku Research Institute