Partnership comes ahead of July’s release of ‘Grendizer U’ television series LONDON: Saudi anime studio Manga Productions on Wednesday announced a partnership with PepsiCo to feature the popular anime UFO Robot “Grendizer” on PepsiCo’s Tasali potato chip packets. Starting in August, the iconic character from the eponymous series will appear on Tasali potato chips sold across the Gulf countries and Jordan. Essam Bukhary, CEO of Manga Productions, a subsidiary of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or Misk, said that the new partnership “reflects our dedication to meeting the aspirations of ‘Grendizer’ fans and enhancing the presence of the beloved character in the markets. “Grendizer,” also known as “Goldrake” and “Goldorak,” is a popular Japanese animated television series and manga created by Go Nagai in the mid-1970s. It has achieved cult status worldwide. The initiative is part of the promotional campaign for the July release of the “Grendizer U” television series, created by Japanese animation studio Gaia and directed by Mitsuo Fukuda, the acclaimed author of award-winning anime classics “Shin Seiki GPX Cyber Formula” and “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED.” The show has long enjoyed widespread popularity in Arab countries, first airing in war-torn Lebanon on Tele Liban in 1979. The enduring popularity of the show led Manga Productions to acquire the global distribution and marketing rights, excluding Japan. Ahmed El-Sheikh, CEO at PepsiCo Middle East, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, saying: “At PepsiCo, we are committed to embedding ourselves in both the traditional and popular culture of the Kingdom. “By embracing the growing popularity of animated content in Saudi Arabia, we aim to create a unique and nostalgic appeal for our consumers. “This partnership with Manga Productions allows us to bring ‘Grendizer’ back to life on Tasali chips, and we are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring.”