In an exciting development for the anime industry, top Japanese studios A-1 Pictures, Trigger, and Nippon Animation recently met with Sheikh Mubarak Fahad Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Program Production Institution, to discuss new joint ventures that aim to enhance cultural and artistic collaboration. The meeting, held on August 30, 2025, marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Japan and the Gulf countries in the field of animation and creative media.
A-1 Pictures, widely recognized for its work on Solo Leveling, joined forces with Trigger, known for New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, and Nippon Animation, famous for Chibi Maruko-chan, to explore initiatives that will foster the development of local talent and creative personnel across the Gulf region. The collaborations will focus on transferring Japanese expertise in animation, supporting digital transformation, and expanding cultural output through partnerships with local, regional, and international organizations. This partnership is the first major collaboration between Japanese anime studios and the GCCJPPI in more than 30 years, recalling earlier efforts in which the institution dubbed anime classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Rose of Versailles.
The discussions also follow recent collaborations between Japan and Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, including Manga Productions’ partnerships with Toei Animation on Asateer – Future’s Folktales and the Grendizer U remake in collaboration with Dynamic Planning. In addition, projects such as KamiErabi God.app and Protocol: Rain were produced by a production committee including MBC Anime, a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s MBC Group and America’s Tokyopop. Plans are also underway to build the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the growing impact of Japanese anime in the region.
The Gulf Cooperation Council, composed of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, has emphasized the importance of joint initiatives that strengthen unity among member states through economic, technological, and cultural exchange. By collaborating with Japanese animation studios, the GCCJPPI aims to accelerate creative production, support local talent, and cultivate a vibrant cultural environment in the Gulf region.
A-1 Pictures recently launched a new label, Psyde Kick Studio, dedicated to championing young creators and exploring innovative possibilities in animation. In interviews with Anime Corner, A-1 Pictures’ animation producer Atsushi Kaneko, Shunsuke Sugimoto, and CG director Toshitaka Morioka highlighted the studio’s commitment to high-quality production and international collaboration. The first two projects under Psyde Kick Studio, Grow Up Show and the Kusunoki no Bannin anime movie adaptation, were produced in partnership with A-1 Pictures, showcasing the potential of the new label to deliver creative and dynamic anime content.
Studio Trigger co-founder Hiroyuki Imaishi also revealed that he is working on a comedy project set to be released internationally. While the title has not yet been officially announced, the project reflects the continued growth and global reach of Japanese animation studios.
This groundbreaking collaboration between Japanese anime studios and the GCCJPPI represents an important step in fostering creative exchange, supporting talent development, and expanding the influence of anime in the Gulf region. Fans can look forward to future projects and international collaborations that bring together the best of Japanese animation and Gulf creativity.
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