Manga Productions pivots to Saudi originals
Published: 2026-08-27T03:45:38.625Z
Manga Productions shifts from co-productions to Saudi anime originals, aiming to deepen ties with Japanese rightsholders, as GKIDS revives cult classic 'Vampire Hunter D' for North American audiences.
- Manga Productions bets on Saudi anime originals. Manga Productions, Saudi Arabia’s anime studio, is pivoting from co-productions to original IPs, starting with Henna. CEO Essam Bukhary frames it as a play for stronger ties with Japanese rightsholder Source: https://news.animenomics.com/p/manga-productions-launches-saudi
- GKIDS revives Vampire Hunter D. GKIDS snagged North American rights to 'Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust,' Yoshiaki Kawajiri's gothic horror anime. The cult classic, rarely screened since its Fantasia debut, gets a fresh HD master and a Source: https://gkids.com/2026/08/22/gkids-acquires-north-american-rights-to-vampire-hunter-d-bloodlust/
- Kadokawa's animation arm stumbles as gaming cools off. Kadokawa's first-quarter earnings hit a split: publishing profits climbed as reforms took hold, but animation dragged with rising costs, and gaming slumped post-Elden Ring Nightreign. The company also Source: https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_material_for_fiscal_ym13/211145/00.pdf
- HIDIVE locks Mainichi deal for exclusives. HIDIVE and Mainichi Broadcasting System extended their partnership with a multi-year output deal, locking exclusive streaming rights for HIDIVE's upcoming anime slate. While the dollar figures aren't Source: https://news.hidive.com/2026/8/19/amc-global-media-s-hidive-and-mainichi-broadcasting-system-extend-partnership-into-next-phase-with-exclusive-output-deal-covering-anime-streamer-s-major-multi-year-slate
- Twin Engine and Bandai roll Bibibi Comic. Twin Engine and Bandai launched Bibibi Comic, a new manga platform with titles like Shibarikami and The Strongest Villainess at launch. Twin Engine handles animation production; Bandai handles IP lice Source: https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-08-10/twin-engine-bandai-launch-new-manga-platform-bibibi-comic/.240419
- Seven Seas steps into kaiju territory. Seven Seas snagged The Kaiju Autopsy, a manga about a scientist dissecting giant monsters while tackling workplace sexism. Volume one arrives May 2027 at $14.99, a sharp pivot for a publisher known fo Source: https://sevenseasentertainment.com/2026/08/05/seven-seas-licenses-the-kaiju-autopsy-manga-series/
From AnimeSignal, the anime business intelligence brief.