The Journey: Anime Film With An Arab Protagonist

Japan and Saudi Arabia are collaborating to bring the potentially first anime film with an Arab Protagonist.

Anime film “The Journey” or “Journey: Taiko Arabia Hantou de no Kiseki to Tatakai no Monogatari” is a Saudi Arabian-Japanese animated film which will be produced by Toei Animation. It will be directed by Shizuno Koubun (Director of several Detective Conan movies)

What we know about the Plot or Storyline?

As a ruthless invader threatens to enslave their people and destroy their sacred place, the people of Mecca take up arms. Only able to muster a small force against the massive army, defeat seems inevitable. Just then, Aws, a seemingly simple potter fighting to keep his family safe, is forced to reveal his dark past when he discovers amongst the defenders a long last friend believed to be de*d, a warrior name Zurara. As fear threatens to break their resolve, Aws’s strength of faith compels him to stand and fight. Enemy army is fast approaching and fate of Mecca and its people, hang in the balance. Will the defenders be able to defeat the huge army with their simple defenses and save the city?

Key Visual and Trailer

A key visual was released when the film was initially announced, giving us some hints on what to expect from the film

Credit: Toei Animation

An official trailer by Manga Production was released on Feb 25, gaining over 1.3 million views so far on english subbed version

Cast of “The Journey”

This might surprise many fans but the cast of “The Journey” includes some very big names in the anime industry.

  • Toru Furuya who is known for voicing Yamcha (Dragon Ball) and Sabo (One Piece) will be voicing the main character Aws or Aus
  • Kotono Mitsuishi who is known for voicing Sailor Moon and Boa Hancock (One Piece) will be voicing Hind
  • Yuichi Nakamura who is known for voicing Gray Fullbuster (Fairy Tail) and Tetsuro Kuroo from Haikyuu will be voicing Nizar
  • Hiroshi Kamiya who is known for voicing Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan) and Trafgar Law (One Piece) will be voicing Zurara
  • Kazuya Nakai known for voicing Zoro (One Piece) will be voicing Mosab

Release Date

Film was originally planned to be released in 2020 at the Cannes Film Festival which was cancelled due to pandemic. Film is now scheduled to be released in 2021 (no specific date announced yet). Vox cinemas own the theatrical rights of the film in middle east and north africa, While Toey subsidary T-Joy has distribution rights in Japan


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