Rakuten Group, Inc. announced a collaboration with Bahrain-based MENA E-Sports & Events to bring select Rakuten digital comics to Arabic-speaking audiences. This move reflects Rakuten’s strategic commitment to expanding its digital comic content into new global markets.
The Middle East and Africa comic book market generated $301.5 million in revenue in 2024 and is projected to grow over 11% annually through 2030. Digital comics are expected to lead this growth, and Rakuten aims to capitalize on the trend by partnering with MENA E-Sports & Events, which will exclusively license, translate, and publish Rakuten’s titles on its Arabic platform, MangaOasis.
The launch will feature two localized titles, “Samurai Shinken” and “Gold Boy,” available soon on MangaOasis’s website and mobile app. MENA E-Sports & Events will utilize its regional market expertise and cultural adaptation skills to ensure the comics resonate with Arabic readers.
Rakuten remains dedicated to global content expansion, offering diverse digital comics to audiences worldwide.
