Yarob (Arabic: ÃÂÃÂùÃÂñÃÂè) is a Saudi animated cultural web series and one of the flagship projects of Antame, an initiative by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives. Released on YouTube in 2018âÂÂ2019, the series is part of Saudi ArabiaâÂÂs Vision 2030 cultural program and aims to bring the history and legends of the Arabian Peninsula to a modern audience through animeâÂÂinspired animation.
Produced by the RiyadhâÂÂbased studio Myrkott Animation Studio, Yarob was created and written by Abdulaziz Almuzaini, Malik Nejer and Yazid Alqarni, and directed by Malik Nejer. In interviews the creators have cited the influence of Japanese animeâÂÂparticularly the works of Hayao MiyazakiâÂÂand expressed a desire to engage Arab youth and fans of animation with regional heritage and folklore.
The name "Yarob" was chosen to reflect the deep historical roots of the Arabian Peninsula. The region has long been home to ancient peoples, nations, battles, secrets, and legendary placesâÂÂsome recorded in history, others passed down through myths. The name also refers to an ancient Arab ancestor.
The series follows a modest Saudi familyâÂÂYarob, his teenage sister Asrar, and their wise grandfatherâÂÂas they embark on a sequence of supernatural adventures. Unbeknownst to them, Yarob is fated to oppose AlâÂÂHarith, a mysterious figure bent on unleashing global catastrophe.
The show comprises two parts (eleven episodes in total), each exploring a different historical or legendary theme with a blend of comedy, fantasy and adventure. All episodes were published on YouTube.