Anime, Gaming and Japanese IP in Saudi Arabia: Market Guide

Red Dragon Office·Updated 2026-10-11

For many Saudis, Japanese pop culture is not a niche. Generations grew up watching Arabic-dubbed anime on television, and today the same audience plays Japanese games, reads manga in Arabic and English, and buys tickets for anime concerts and cosplay events. As Saudi Arabia builds an entertainment and gaming economy under Vision 2030, Japanese studios, publishers, IP holders and event companies face a practical question: how do we take part, and what does it take to operate properly in the Kingdom? This guide sets out the landscape, the approvals and the realistic entry routes.

Why Japanese pop culture resonates in Saudi Arabia

Several factors work in Japan's favour. Arabic dubs of classic series such as Grendizer and Captain Tsubasa (known in the Arab world as Captain Majid) were broadcast for decades, creating genuine nostalgia among parents who now buy merchandise for their children. The population is young and mobile-first, and gaming is a mainstream pastime for men and women alike. Streaming services have also brought new seasons to Saudi viewers much faster than before.

Saudi demand tends to cluster around a few categories:

• Anime and streaming: long-running shonen titles, family-friendly series and theatrical releases, often with Arabic subtitles or dubbing.
• Games: console, PC and mobile titles, fighting games and the competitive scene around them.
• Manga and publishing: translated volumes, art books and Arabic-language editions.
• Live experiences: concerts, exhibitions, cosplay contests, themed cafés and pop-up stores.
• Merchandise: figures, apparel, stationery, collectibles and licensed food and beverage tie-ins.

The entertainment and gaming push: who is who

It helps to understand the main institutions before approaching partners. Names, ownership and mandates evolve, so check current information before relying on any of the following:

• General Entertainment Authority (GEA): the regulator that licenses entertainment activities and events, and the force behind large programmes such as Riyadh Season, which has featured anime- and gaming-themed zones and shows in past editions.
• Esports World Cup: a large international esports tournament held in Riyadh in recent summers, organised by the Esports World Cup Foundation, with Japanese titles and players among the participants.
• Savvy Games Group: the games company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). PIF-linked entities have been publicly reported to hold stakes in several listed Japanese game companies.
• MiSK Foundation, Manga Productions and SNK: Manga Productions is a MiSK subsidiary that has co-produced animation with Japanese studios, including Toei Animation. A MiSK-owned company acquired SNK, the Japanese maker of classic fighting games, in stages from 2021.
• Qiddiya: the entertainment city near Riyadh, which announced plans with Toei Animation in 2024 for a Dragon Ball theme park. Opening timelines are set by the developer.
• General Authority for Media Regulation (GAMR): the media regulator responsible for content classification, including the Saudi age-rating system for video games.

Realistic routes to market for Japanese IP holders

Japanese companies rarely need to start with a full local subsidiary. The right route depends on whether you are licensing content, selling products, running events or building a long-term regional business.

If you choose a distributor, a clear agreement on exclusivity, territory, pricing and anti-counterfeit duties matters more than speed. See commercial agency registration and finding a Saudi distributor. For your own presence, start with investing in Saudi Arabia and our branch versus LLC comparison.

Licensing events, concerts and pop-up stores

Public entertainment events in Saudi Arabia generally require a licence from GEA, usually obtained by a locally registered organiser through the authority's electronic platform. Foreign IP holders typically work through a licensed Saudi organiser or a seasonal programme rather than applying directly. Requirements depend on the event type, venue, audience size and whether tickets are sold.

• Venue approvals, safety plans and municipal permits through the relevant authorities.
• Visas for performers, voice actors, artists and crew; the right visa type depends on the purpose and length of stay.
• Ticketing through approved channels, and VAT on ticket and merchandise sales under ZATCA rules.
• Import of merchandise, which may need conformity certificates, for example for toys and electrical items through SABER.
• Sponsorship, food and beverage and filming arrangements, each of which can carry its own approvals.

Allow generous lead time. Event calendars in the Kingdom are busy, especially around seasonal programmes, and approvals often run in parallel. Our page on business trips and exhibitions covers the visit side.

Content guidelines that respect local values

Saudi regulators classify and review content before public release. Video games sold commercially are generally expected to carry a Saudi age rating issued by GAMR, and sellers typically need a commercial registration and the relevant import and distribution approvals. Films, series and printed material follow their own review processes. The rating framework has become more flexible in recent years, but cultural sensitivity remains essential.

In practice, Japanese licensors and their partners usually review content for:

• Religious references, symbols and imagery that may be inappropriate locally.
• Nudity, sexualised content and fan-service scenes, which often need editing or a separate version.
• Alcohol, gambling and drug references, including in-game mechanics that resemble gambling.
• Maps, flags and political references, which should be checked carefully.
• Arabic localisation quality: subtitles, dubbing and in-game text by experienced translators rather than machine translation.

Adapting content does not have to dilute it. Many titles reach Saudi fans with targeted edits, an appropriate age rating and high-quality Arabic. Decide early which version you will release, and build the review into your localisation schedule.

Protecting IP: trademarks, copyright and merchandise

Register key trademarks, such as series titles, character names and logos, with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) before publicity or events begin. SAIP handles trademarks, patents and copyright, and Saudi Arabia participates in the main international IP treaties. Early registration makes it easier to act against counterfeit goods with customs and online marketplaces. Our Saudi trademark guide explains the basics.

Licensed merchandise must also meet product rules. Toys, children's products, electronics and cosmetics tie-ins often fall under SASO technical regulations and need certificates through SABER, while food and beverage collaborations involve SFDA. See SABER product conformity and SFDA food registration.

Before signing a Saudi licence, confirm in writing who holds the event licence, who registers the trademarks, who clears merchandise through customs and who is responsible for content approval. Settling these four points in the contract prevents most disputes.

Tax and commercial points for licensors

Royalties and licence fees paid from Saudi Arabia to a foreign company are generally subject to withholding tax, and relief may be available under the Saudi-Japan double taxation agreement, depending on the facts and documentation. VAT applies to many local sales, and Saudi entities issue invoices through the ZATCA e-invoicing system. Confirm the tax position before pricing a deal; see our VAT and zakat guide and ZATCA e-invoicing.

How RDO can help

RDO is a Saudi business-services office. For Japanese studios, publishers, IP holders and event companies, we coordinate the practical side of entering the Kingdom: company or branch setup with MISA, commercial agency and distributor registration, SAIP trademark filings, SABER certificates for merchandise, visit arrangements and ongoing accounting. Our team works in Arabic, English and Chinese; with Japanese clients we communicate in English and arrange certified translation of documents when required. Read more on Japan-Saudi business services, or contact us on WhatsApp at +966500951660 or at info@rdo.sa.

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