MBC streamer Shahid to debut Grendizer U anime series in the Middle East

Grendizer U

Shahid, the streaming service from Middle Eastern broadcasting giant MBC Group, has acquired the soon-to-launch remake of classic anime series Grendizer.

Grendizer U will be released on Shahid this Friday following a deal with Manga Productions, a subsidiary of Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation.

The series is based on Go Nagai’s UFO Robo Grendizer, which originally aired on Fuji TV in Japan between 1975 and 1977. The show was extremely popular in Arab countries, first airing in war-torn Lebanon on Télé Liban in 1979 before being distributed to most other Arabic-speaking regions.

Tareq Al-Ibrahim, director of content at Shahid and director of MBC1 and MBC Drama, said: “Our strategic partnership with Manga Productions brings significant value to our audiences, appealing to a wide range of viewer categories and age groups.

“This type of content and its messages align with the region’s culture values and resonate with audiences throughout the region, providing Arab families with a sophisticated, enjoyable and entertaining viewing experience.”

Dr Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, added: “It is worth mentioning that there have been several previous partnerships between Manga Productions and Shahid in showcasing prominent works such as The Journey movie and the Future’s Folktales and Captain Tsubasa series. It is noteworthy that The Journey has made it to the top five anime films on the Shahid platform.”