Manga Arabia Partners with Korea’s Kidari Studio to Produce and Publish Webtoon and Manhwa-Style Comics

Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia and the CEO of Kidari Studio, during the signing of the partnership (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia and the CEO of Kidari Studio, during the signing of the partnership (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Manga Arabia Partners with Korea’s Kidari Studio to Produce and Publish Webtoon and Manhwa-Style Comics

Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia and the CEO of Kidari Studio, during the signing of the partnership (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia and the CEO of Kidari Studio, during the signing of the partnership (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Manga Arabia has partnered with South Korea’s Kidari Studio to produce and publish webtoon and manhwa-style comics. This collaboration aims to enhance cooperation in key areas such as scriptwriting, character design, and high-quality joint projects. Both companies will benefit from an employee exchange program to share expertise and further develop comic projects.
As part of the agreement, Manga Arabia will license and translate three of Kidari’s prominent works into Arabic, expanding the reach of these comics in the region.
Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, highlighted the significance of this partnership in strengthening international collaboration in the comic industry. He emphasized that the exchange of creativity and expertise with global partners aligns with the company’s goal of producing content that meets global standards.
A Growing Market
Bukhary pointed out the global popularity of webtoons, projecting the market to reach $70 billion by 2030. He explained that this partnership would enable Manga Arabia to expand its presence in international markets, while offering culturally rich experiences that reflect creativity and foster cultural exchange between the Arab and Korean worlds.
Industry Impact
This partnership marks Manga Arabia’s first collaboration with a Korean comic production company, a significant step in solidifying its role as a key player in the Arab comic industry.
Manga Arabia has achieved numerous milestones in recent years, including the launch of youth and children’s manga magazines in both digital and print formats. The company’s applications have garnered nearly 9 million users across 195 countries, with over 220 distribution points in the Arab world and more than 250,000 monthly printed copies.
To further its international presence, Manga Arabia launched Manga International and established its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, a strategic move aimed at expanding its influence globally.
Kidari Studio’s Reach
Founded in 1987, Kidari Studio operates 14 webtoon platforms in nine languages across Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. In 2023, Kidari launched its first webtoon platform in the Arab world, with plans to rebrand it as DelitoonME. That year, Kidari earned over $94 million from webtoon subscriptions, with more than 55 million users worldwide.
As part of the Saudi Research and Media Group, Manga Arabia is dedicated to promoting Saudi and Arab culture through creative content. The company has successfully produced over 68 issues and supported more than 170 young creatives across the Arab world, positioning itself as a leader in the comic industry both locally and internationally.



King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority Joins IUCN Green List

The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA
The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA
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King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority Joins IUCN Green List

The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA
The Green List provides crucial guidelines for conservation and involving stakeholders in sustainable development processes - SPA

The King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has announced its inclusion in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List.
This recognition follows a comprehensive assessment of the reserve by IUCN experts, who evaluated the authority's environmental and developmental accomplishments, as well as its engagement with the community and preservation efforts, SPA reported.
Authority CEO Abdullah Al-Amer emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating: "Since its establishment, the authority has pursued strategies, development plans, and innovative initiatives to fulfill its core objectives. Through these endeavors, we have successfully met all the key criteria and indicators for joining the IUCN Green List."
Al-Amer attributed this to the support lent by the Saudi leadership and the guidance from Minister of Interior and Chairman of the authority Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz.
Inclusion in the Green List adds to the authority's local and global successes, including receiving the Biodiversity Certificate and designating five critical bird sites within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve.
Al-Amer stressed that making it on the list is testimony to an effective reserve management and focus on natural resource growth; it now facilitates the growth of over 550 plant species.
The authority's initiatives include planting 2.4 million native tree and shrub seedlings, as well as four tons of local seeds like yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Artemisia, and Haloxylon.
Efforts have been made to restore 250,000 hectares of degraded habitats and relocate 1,235 wildlife species like Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, Arabian gazelles, and Arabian leopards in the reserve.
The authority's achievements are due to its strategic objectives; being on the Green List is a key milestone.
This authority is determined to manage protected areas through sustainable programs focused on environmental conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development, in line with international standards.