RIYADH: Anime and manga enthusiasts gathered in Riyadh on July 16 for the Manga Majlis Community Initiative, where industry professionals offered a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind anime production while organizers emphasized accessibility by welcoming members of the Deaf community with dedicated sign language interpretation.
Held at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall, the event brought together fans, creators and aspiring artists to explore how anime and manga evolve from an initial idea into finished productions, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in Japanese pop culture and its expanding creative industries.
One of the event’s defining features was its commitment to inclusivity. Organizers invited members of the Deaf community to attend and provided sign language interpreters, ensuring they could participate fully in the discussions alongside other attendees.
The panel featured Lamis Al-Suntali, producer and assistant producer at Manga Productions responsible for the Manga Arabia projec; Amani Al-Ruwais, character designer; Riyadh Dosari, director; and Hatem Al-Omari, writer. Together, they shared insights into the collaborative process behind creating anime, from storytelling and scriptwriting to character design and production.
