Manga production unveils Saudi anime ‘Asateer2 Future’s Folktales’ at special screening in Riyadh

The event was attended by prominent media, art and culture figures, marking a new step in promoting Saudi heritage through world-class anime production. (Supplied)
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Updated 18 October 2024
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Manga production unveils Saudi anime ‘Asateer2 Future’s Folktales’ at special screening in Riyadh

RIYADH: Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, “Misk,” celebrated the premiere of the second season of the Saudi anime series, “Asateer2 Future’s Folktales,” at Vox Cinemas-Roshan Front in Riyadh.

The event was attended by prominent media, art and culture figures, marking a new step in promoting Saudi heritage through world-class anime production.

Earlier, a special screening took place on Oct. 14 at Vox Cinemas-VIA Riyadh for diplomats and senior officials, where audiences enjoyed watching the second season for the first time in a festive atmosphere.

The audience engaged enthusiastically with the characters and new story developments, receiving widespread praise for the animation quality and visual effects that blend Saudi heritage with innovation.

The premiere reflected Manga Productions’ commitment to delivering content that showcases Saudi cultural identity.

The series continues to follow its heroes, Maha, Rayan and Sultan, as they face daily challenges, drawing wisdom from Grandma Asmaa through her traditional folktales.

The second season of the anime series “Asateer2” is set to air on MBC1 TV channel and streamed on Shahid in the Middle East and North Africa, starting Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. Saudi time.

The second season is also set to air on TV Tokyo in Japan, starting Sunday, Nov. 3 at 7 a.m. Tokyo time.

Dr. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, said: “We are delighted to see such a strong response to the premiere of the second season. This success not only reflects the quality of the work but also demonstrates the capabilities of the Saudi talents who worked on this project with passion and professionalism. At Manga Productions, we are committed to continuing this approach in producing content that meets global standards.”

Daliyah Abuabah, manager of public relations, communications and events at Manga Productions, said: “We are proud of the positive feedback received following the premiere of the second season of ‘Future’s Folktales.’ The premiere in Riyadh was a pivotal moment that brought together anime enthusiasts and influential figures from the creative field. At Manga Productions, we are committed to delivering a unique experience that reflects the essence of Saudi culture in innovative and contemporary ways. We look forward to seeing this work continue to inspire future heroes, both locally and globally.”

The premiere was marked by significant engagement on social media, with followers praising the artistic and narrative quality of the series, as well as the development of the characters and the intricate details that enhance the depth of the story. This success comes from the collaboration of 50 Saudi artists in character design, creative direction and production, in partnership with the Japanese studio, Toei Animation.


Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah

Updated 19 December 2025
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Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah

  • The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be the first of its kind in the Kingdom
  • The vehicles operate in dedicated bus lanes within a network that includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them

MAKKAH: A pioneering electric bus service took to the road in Makkah this week.

Electromin, the developer and operator of the service in partnership with Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction, said it is expected to serve more than 125 million passengers over the next 15 years, while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 31,500 tonnes compared with traditional vehicles.

The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be one of the first of its kind in the Kingdom. It was inaugurated on Wednesday by Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairperson of Al-Dabbagh Group; Samir Nawar, managing director of Petromin; and Yasser Abu Ateeq, CEO of Umm Al-Qura.

The bus rapid transit project is designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services. (Supplied)

Electromin, a subsidiary of Petromin specializing in energy and mobility solutions, said the new service, which forms part of the Masar Destination mixed-use real estate development project in Makkah, is one the first transport networks of its kind in the country, and represents a significant shift toward a cleaner, more efficient urban transport model.

It operates in dedicated bus lanes, connecting key hubs within Masar and providing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation for residents and visitors, the company added. The network includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them. It has been designed to serve more than 5 million visitors and pilgrims annually, and to be easily accessible to all users.

Operators say the service is designed as a foundation for Makkah’s future transportation system, through its integration with the broader Masar project, which includes pedestrian walkways, more than 5,000 parking spaces, metro services and other urban infrastructure.