StarzPlay has forged a groundbreaking content partnership with Bilibili, the popular video-sharing and entertainment platform, marking a notable collaboration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This agreement allows StarzPlay to add a carefully selected range of premium Chinese animation titles, known as donghua, to its animation library, aimed at attracting younger, tech-savvy viewers throughout the region.
This partnership brings Chinese animation into a streaming market where Japanese anime has long been dominant, yet donghua has remained relatively underexposed despite its increasing global appeal. By incorporating high-quality Chinese animated content, StarzPlay aims to offer audiences innovative storytelling techniques, unique visual styles, and a diverse animation experience.
Danny Bates, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of StarzPlay, commented, “Animation is rapidly becoming one of the most vibrant content genres worldwide, particularly among younger viewers craving varied narratives and unique artistic expressions. In the MENA region, we’re witnessing a surge in this interest. Our collaboration with Bilibili allows us to bring premium donghua to the area on a larger scale, diversifying our content offerings to better reflect the evolving viewing habits of local audiences.”
Each Tuesday, StarzPlay will debut a new donghua title as part of this partnership. All series will feature both English and Arabic subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience. New titles now available on the platform include To Be Hero X, No Doubt in Us, A Mortal’s Journey, Ling Cage, and Immortality.
Zhang Shengyan, Vice President of Bilibili, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to join forces with StarzPlay to share Bilibili’s animation content with viewers in MENA. Recently, the interest in donghua has grown significantly, and this partnership enables us to showcase the genre’s narratives, characters, and creative universes to regional audiences through a platform that comprehends their preferences.”
With roots in anime, comics, and gaming culture, Bilibili is especially popular among Gen Z and millennial audiences, boasting over 100 million daily active users, most of whom are under 35.
This collaboration aligns with StarzPlay’s broader content strategy of partnering with leading global platforms and studios, aiming to expand beyond conventional genres while adapting to the evolving tastes and consumption trends within the MENA region.
