MBC Anime Launches as Joint Venture Between MBC GROUP, TOKYOPOP

 

MBC GROUP, the Middle East and North Africa region’s largest media company, has announced a joint venture with international anime and manga distributor, licensor and producer TOKYOPOP. The result is MBC Anime, which has launched as a new hub dedicated to the “licensing, promotion and production of anime content in the region.”

 

Stu Levy, founder and CEO of TOKYOPOP, is leading the venture, which aims to commission, produce and heavily invest in anime titles over the next several years. MBC Anime is currently in its first investment period and is looking to forge relationships with key Japanese studios while investing and supporting these forthcoming projects.

 

Here’s what MBC GROUP CEO Sam Barnett had to say about the venture:

 

“Anime and manga are incredibly popular in the Middle East and North Africa, with Saudi Arabia being the leader in terms of viewership in the region. In recent years, there has been a huge increase in events and activities related to this art form.

 

“We are thrilled to announce that Stu Levy has joined us to head up MBC Anime. Stu is a renowned figure in the anime industry, known for his expertise in distribution, licensing, and publishing. We’re very excited about the prospects for this cooperation.”

 

Levy commented, as well:

 

“Having worked with the talented team at MBC GROUP over the past couple of years, I’ve been impressed by their licensing approach and dedication to the space. Their commitment to not only anime, but building long-term relationships in Japan made me confident of the real potential for exciting growth opportunities working together.”

 

Source: Press release

 

 

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.