Saudi Arabian Broadcaster MBC Group Officially Joins Fuji TV And TV Asahi Production Committees, Announces Arabic Simulcasts For ‘Protocol: Rain’ And Yoko Taro’s ‘Kamierabi God.app’
Spencer Baculi
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In extending the Middle Eastern kingdom’s ever-growing international media interests into the world of anime, Saudi Arabian entertainment conglomerate Middle East Broadcasting Center Group has announced that they have not only joined the production committees of notable Japanese broadcasters Fuji TV and TV Asahi, but in doing so secured Arabic-language simulcasts for two of their upcoming series, Protocol: Rain and Yoko Taro’s Kamierabi God.app.
Yutaka Akitsu (Shūichi Uchida) has some news for Goro Ono (Kazuki Ura) in Kamierabi God.app (2023), Unend
This development was first announced to the public on October 20th, courtesy of a press release issued by the MBC Group themselves.
Therein, the company unveiled both the existence of “MBC ANIME – a strategic initiative by MBC GROUP and TOKYOPOP dedicated to the licensing, promotion, and production of anime content in the region,” and the MBC Group’s own investments in the aforementioned series.
“The shows, which are from Fuji TV and TV Asahi, will stream exclusively on Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic-streaming platform by MBC GROUP,” the company detailed. “In order to cater to current and future anime enthusiasts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), MBC ANIME is also now part of the production committees of both Japanese broadcasters.”
Yu Saegusa (Sora Amamiya) is fired up in Protocol: Rain (2023), Team Kitsune
The first series, TV Asahi’s Protocol:Rain, centers on one Shun Tokinoya, a high school student who has taken to video games – and in particular esports – with a burning passion as a way to cope with his father’s death.
However, when the cruel realities of real-world bills come knocking, Shun pledges himself to winning the upcoming Xaxxerion Championship and using its prize money to allow himself the financial space to engage with the hobby.
Helmed by Squid Girl and Valkyria Chronicles director Yasutaka Yamomoto, penned by Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department writer Katsuhiko Takayama, and featuring original character designs from I Shaved and Took In a High School Runaway light-novel illustrator booota and Rent-A-Girlfriend animator Kanna Hirayama, all 12 episodes of Protocol:Rain are set to hit Shahid this year.
Shun Tokinoya (Kensho Ono) fights for the lead in Protocol: Rain (2023), Team Kitsune
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Coming from the minds of Nier: Automata director Yoko Taro, Kagerou Daze creator JIN and Gamera: Rebirth director Hiroyuki Seshita, the second series to be simulcast on Shahid will be Fuji TV’s Kamierabi God.app, a battle-royale-type series wherein its cast of high school students fight against each other in the hopes of becoming a god.
With character designs provided by Soul Eater and Fire Force mangaka Atsushi Ohkubo, both the entire 13-episode first season and planned second season of Kamierabi God.app will hit the Arabic platform as it releases.
Yutaka Akitsu (Shūichi Uchida) taunts Goro Ono (Kazuki Ura) in Kamierabi God.app (2023), Unend
Concluding their press release, MBC Group asserted, “With many more productions on the horizon to complement a diverse range of acquisitions, MBC ANIME plans to introduce the dynamic and exciting world of anime to the MENA with a fan-centric and holistic approach.”
For viewers outside of the MENA region, English-language simulcasts of both currently airing series are being offered exclusively by Crunchyroll.
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