Amin Abbas

DUBAI: QToon Production and Distribution, in partnership with Empire International, announced the regional theatrical release of the classic anime film ‘Little Maruko: Friends’ Promise,’ based on the popular Japanese “Chibi Maruko-chan” franchise, in Arabic.

The film’s release comes after it was dubbed into Arabic for the first time, using the original voices of a group of prominent dubbing stars who were beloved by audiences in the 1990s version of the series, including Eman Hayel, Abeer Issa, Nabil Najm, Suhair Fahd, Abdul Karim Al Qawasmi, Reem Saadeh, and other voices that are associated with the memory of Arab viewers.

The film’s events revolve around Maruko, a cheerful nine-year-old girl, who returns to the start of the new school term, where she finds herself in a study group that includes friends Ono and Sugiyama. As the day of the school sports competition approaches, the rivalry between Ono and Sugiyama begins to escalate, with the athletic rivalry turning into a feud that threatens their friendship. Maruko attempts to mediate between them, so she and her friends learn profound lessons about the meaning of friendship, loyalty, and the balance between competition and love.

The film will be shown exclusively in Arabic in cinemas across the GCC region as well as in Jordan, Palestine, and Iraq starting Oct. 16.

The movie “Chibi Maruko-chan: Ono-kun to Sugiyama-kun,” in Japanese, was originally released in Japan in December 1990.

On this occasion, a spokesperson from QToon Production and Distribution stated, “We are proud to revive this work and its presentation to the Arab audience on the big screen, dubbed with the original voices that have connected an entire generation of anime fans. Our partnership with Empire International will ensure that the film reaches the largest segment of audiences in the region.”

QToon Production and Distribution was established in 2018, aiming to present classic and modern anime works to the Arab audience in a style befitting the quality of this art form and reflecting its global value. The company is distinguished by its experience Its extensive expertise in restoration, dubbing, and production, in addition to its international partnerships with major content companies around the world.

Empire International is a leading film distribution company in the Middle East and North Africa, with a long history of partnerships with the world’s most prestigious studios. The company works to deliver the most prominent cinematic productions to audiences through a robust distribution network spanning the region.