Anime in Arabic: Transforming Arab Millennial Identity

What brought anime from Japan into the Arabic-speaking world? What role does anime play in the politics of language and art of Arabic-speakers? And what is the future of anime in Arabic?

by Razan Idris

“ALLAAAAH YA MAJID! ALLAH!”

At six years old, I remember cheering along with the soccer commentator of my favorite childhood cartoon – al-Captain Majid. Every night, my mother would turn on the Arabic satellite channel for me to breathlessly watch the next climactic episode, each one a singular treat for a Sudanese-American girl growing up …