Manga Productions, under Misk Foundation's wing, recently hosted an award event in Riyadh to celebrate the winners of the "Dubbing it in Arabic" contest.
The ceremony saw the congregation of expert jury members from top Arab and Saudi dubbing houses and notable anime and entertainment figures.
Over a competitive two-week period, the contest drew a staggering 1,800 submissions from Arabic voice acting enthusiasts, all vying for a chance to contribute to future Manga Productions anime projects.
The jury, including revered personalities like Jihad Al-Atrash, Sanaa Younis, Souad Jawad, and Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, adjudicated from January 30 to February 11, culminating in Elyas Zoroqi and Nora being crowned as the leading male and female voice talents.
The event highlighted the growing ambition of the Arab world to cultivate its entertainment and present its culture internationally. According to Al-Atrash, this initiative underscores Manga Productions' success and desire to connect with Arab audiences globally.
The jury lauded the competition for propelling Saudi and Arab youth to prominence in Arabic animation, an effort that aligns with the cultural narratives Manga Productions aims to project.
Manga Productions' CEO, Essam Bukhary, remarked on the company's commitment to fostering Arab talent and its impact on the wider creative sector, including crafting content for international adaptation.
Jury members expressed their delight and optimism, with actor Jawad envisioning the contest as a fulfillment of a long-held dream, while voice actor Sanaa Bakr marveled at the impressive level of participation.
As an influential force in Arab anime, Manga Productions not only champions talent development but also reaches millions of students through educational partnerships and aims to lead the creative content domain by training over 4,000 individuals.