"More than 100 million views were achieved by the anime series Future’s Folktales, while the game inspired by it reached 400,000 downloads worldwide."
Saudi Arabia’s anime and gaming markets are witnessing impressive growth, fueled by the creativity and capabilities of Saudi youth. Following the massive success of Future’s Folktales Season 1, the Manga Productions team discussed the journey behind Season 2 during a panel titled "A Journey Through the World of Saudi Anime," held in Majlis Space as part of the Misk Global Forum 2024.
The Production Journey of Future’s Folktales 2
The new season introduced a fresh approach, moving the family from the first season to Oxagon, the world’s largest floating industrial city in NEOM. There, they face daily challenges, drawing wisdom and inspiration from the grandmother’s stories.
Art Director Mohammed Aldhafeeri explained that each episode presents a self-contained story with unique settings and characters, inspired by Saudi heritage spanning the last 40–200 years. The creative team conducted thorough research in collaboration with historians to weave narratives deeply rooted in local culture, bringing diverse elements and visual arts to life through distinctive character designs and costumes.
The series has captivated audiences worldwide, competing globally with its high design standards and rich storytelling.
Overcoming Challenges
Given that production for each season stretched over two to three years, Future’s Folktales faced multiple challenges, most notably, the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult for the team to travel and gather material. According to Aldhafeeri, collaborating with their Japanese partners during Tokyo’s lockdown was especially tough, particularly for sensitive artistic and developmental stages requiring direct interaction.
The team overcame these hurdles by relying heavily on a comprehensive database built during the first season and previous projects, ensuring continuity and success.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Aldhafeeri emphasized that the independent nature of each episode required the team to work at an accelerated pace to meet delivery schedules. It was only through strong coordination and teamwork that they succeeded in producing a polished, high-quality anime that resonated with audiences.
Behind this achievement stands a team of talented Saudi youth, collaborating with their counterparts in Japan to ensure precision in every detail. Many of these young professionals evolved from beginners in 2018 into leaders in their fields, thanks to their dedication and passion.
The Game: Adventures of Future’s Folktales
Producer Ahood Alharbi discussed the mobile game "Adventures of Future’s Folktales," which has achieved more than 400,000 downloads globally.
The game, currently available for children aged 6 and above in the Middle East and North Africa via App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery, is offered in Arabic, English, and Japanese. Built around the anime’s events and characters, the game emphasizes unique character abilities based on their traits.
Currently, the game content covers only the first season, with plans to add new content based on Season 2. Manga Productions is also working on promoting and expanding the game’s reach beyond the MENA region.
The Technical Challenge
Alharbi pointed out that game development faces constant technical challenges. Success in this sector required assembling a highly skilled Saudi team capable of managing current and future challenges—an achievement that stands as a testament to local talent.
A Promising Future for Saudi Anime and Gaming
With technological advancements and growing local and global interest, Saudi Arabia’s anime industry shows strong potential for sustainable growth. By investing in local talents, creating opportunities for innovation, and telling authentic cultural stories, the Kingdom is poised to enrich the global stage with unique narratives and imaginative worlds that reflect Saudi and Arab cultures.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is confidently moving toward establishing itself as a global hub for anime production, enhancing its ability to influence and expand within this dynamic field.
