Riyadh:Manga Arabia, part of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), has introduced the popular Japanese manga series "One Piece" in Arabic for the first time. Over 100 chapters are now accessible via its digital applications.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this launch is a result of Manga Arabia's collaborations with major Japanese publishers, especially Shueisha. The initiative aligns with the company's strategy to present international creations in Arabic, create original Arab content, and support local talents.
Dr. Essam Bukhary, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Manga Arabia, emphasized the importance of this release, citing the series' widespread appeal and its longstanding connection with Arab readers. He reiterated the company's dedication to offering significant international works to Arab audiences through authorized channels, maintaining their original quality and copyrights.
Production Manager Noura Al-Jumaili highlighted that the Arabic version involved direct translation, thorough review, proofreading, and a meticulous adaptation of dialogue to the artwork, ensuring the original's essence and quality were preserved.
Manga Arabia's digital applications have achieved over 13 million downloads in more than 190 countries, and its print magazines have seen the distribution of over 23 million copies since inception.
"One Piece," created by Eiichiro Oda, first appeared in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997. It has been sold in over 60 countries and regions, with global sales exceeding 600 million copies, including more than 450 million in Japan. The series holds the Guinness World Record for the most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author, initially set in 2015 and updated in 2022.