Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion

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Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
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Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
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Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
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Manga Productions has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series Future’s Folktales. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 October 2024
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Saudi anime ‘Future’s Folktales’ trailer highlights cultural fusion

  • Produced in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio, Asateer 2: Future’s Folktales will stream on Shahid and air simultaneously on MBC1
  • Trailer introduces Maha and her brothers, Rayan and Sultan, as they navigate daily challenges, finding solutions in the folk stories told by their grandmother Asma

RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has announced the release of the official trailer for the second season of the popular Saudi anime series “Future’s Folktales.”

Produced in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio, “Asateer 2: Future’s Folktales” will stream on Shahid and air simultaneously on MBC1 in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as TV Tokyo in Japan, starting Nov. 1.

It will also be available in North America, Europe and Latin America, with platforms to be announced later this year, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The trailer introduces Maha and her brothers, Rayan and Sultan, as they navigate daily challenges, finding solutions in the folk stories told by their grandmother Asma, which blend traditional tales with futuristic visions.

Fifteen Saudi artists and producers from Manga Productions contributed to character design and creative direction, showcasing a diverse array of traditional environments and costumes that reflect the rich cultures of the Arabian Peninsula.

Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary said: “The growing global interest in the distribution of Asateer2 Future’s Folktales across various international platforms is clear evidence of the success of our young talents in creating content that meets international standards and can compete on the global stage.”

He added: “At Manga Productions, we remain committed to producing innovative works that inspire the new generation and enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a beacon of creativity, while ensuring we maintain the highest standards of quality and excellence in everything we do.”

Creative Director at Manga Productions Sara Oulddaddah said that during the production of Asateer 2, “We focused on enhancing our internal production capabilities and providing opportunities for Saudi talents who worked diligently with our partners across all stages of production.”

She added that “through Asateer2, we aim to continue sharing our inspiring Saudi culture, history and fantasy with the world, while contributing to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative content industry.”

The new season, which combines Saudi creativity with Japanese expertise, continues the remarkable success of the first season, which exceeded 100 million views worldwide, SPA reported.


‘One Battle,’ ‘Hamnet’ claim top prizes at Golden Globes

Updated 12 January 2026
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‘One Battle,’ ‘Hamnet’ claim top prizes at Golden Globes

  • Timothee Chalamet wins male actor award
  • Jessie Buckley gets trophy for film ‘Hamnet’

LOS ANGELES: The 83rd Golden Globe Awards has offered a clear reflection of a year defined by range, ambition and strong creative voices across film and television.

Dark comedy “One Battle After Another” and “Hamnet,” a story about William Shakespeare’s grief over the death of his son, claimed the top prizes on ​Sunday at one of the first major ceremonies in Hollywood’s annual awards season.

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Golden Globe Awards. (Supplied)

The film “One Battle” was named best movie musical or comedy, one of its four Globe honors, and “Hamnet” earned the best drama prize.

Timothee Chalamet triumphed in one of the most competitive categories, taking the trophy for best male actor in a movie musical or comedy for his role as a professional table tennis player in “Marty Supreme.”

Chalamet defeated “One Battle” star Leonardo DiCaprio, “Jay Kelly” actor George Clooney and other big names at the red-carpet ceremony in Beverly Hills, California. “This category is stacked. I look up to all of you,” Chalamet said to his fellow nominees.

The acting categories highlighted established and international talent. Wagner Moura’s win for “The Secret Agent” marked a significant moment, underscoring the Globes’ continued openness to global storytelling.

The film “Hamnet” imagines how Shakespeare and his ⁠wife dealt with the death of their 11-year-old son, whose name was Hamnet. Some historians believe Hamnet’s death inspired the playwright to produce “Hamlet.”

Irish actor Jessie Buckley ‌won best female actor in a movie drama for playing Shakespeare’s wife, ‍Agnes Hathaway. (Supplied)

Irish actor Jessie Buckley ‌won best female actor in a movie drama for playing Shakespeare’s wife, ‍Agnes Hathaway.

Beyond traditional categories, the awards also reflected a broader cinematic landscape. “Sinners” claimed the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, while “KPop Demon Hunters” demonstrated how animation and music continue to expand the boundaries of mainstream storytelling. Television honors echoed this diversity, with strong representation across drama, comedy, and limited series.

Taken together, this year’s Golden Globes felt like a genuine snapshot of the industry’s current moment: expansive, international and willing to reward bold choices alongside emotional truth.