Ministry of Defense and Manga Productions: Partnering to produce content about the nation's heroes
In a strategic move aimed at leveraging soft power and creative content to promote national values, the Saudi Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of understanding with Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK). This partnership aims to produce innovative media content that highlights the heroism and sacrifices of Saudi Armed Forces personnel and documents national stories in a modern and engaging narrative style.
The memorandum was signed in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Al-Bayari, Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs. Representing the Ministry of Defense was Mr. Abdulrahman bin Sultan Al-Sultan, Executive Director General of the General Directorate of Strategic Communication at the Ministry's Agency for Strategic Affairs, while Mr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Muwayni, Director General of Marketing and Corporate Communications, represented Manga Productions.
National context and future vision
This collaboration comes within the framework of the major transformations taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which places particular emphasis on developing the culture, media, and entertainment sectors, and supporting local content that reflects Saudi identity and strengthens national belonging. Manga Productions, which emerged from the Misk Foundation aimed at empowering Saudi youth, is a pioneer in the creative industries, having successfully produced world-class works such as the film "The Journey" and the series "Legends of the Future," which have achieved widespread success both locally and internationally.
Partnership objectives and expected impact
The memorandum aims to develop media projects and high-quality content showcasing the heroism of members of the armed forces in innovative ways. The agreement includes provisions for producing animated series, creating Saudi characters inspired by the armed forces environment, and launching initiatives targeting children and youth to strengthen their connection to national values and inspire them with the stories of real-life heroes from across the nation.
Domestically, this partnership is expected to instill pride in the Saudi military among younger generations, providing them with positive role models. It also supports the Kingdom's creative economy by offering opportunities for Saudi talent in animation, screenwriting, and design. Regionally and internationally, utilizing global media such as anime and manga is an effective tool for promoting Saudi culture and showcasing the sacrifices of its heroes, thus enhancing the Kingdom's soft power on the world stage.
Professor Abdulrahman Al-Sultan emphasized that this partnership represents a strategic step towards utilizing creative content to convey national messages and strengthen belonging among future generations. He noted that it will contribute to using modern media to reach various age groups in impactful ways. For his part, Professor Abdulaziz Al-Muwainie explained that the partnership is an extension of Manga Productions' commitment to providing high-quality content that highlights the strength of the Saudi people and their history. He affirmed that creative content has the power to inspire generations and instill national values through compelling stories and modern approaches.
