From timeless Studio Ghibli classics to record-breaking modern blockbusters, Anime Week Abu Dhabi brings five extraordinary days of Japanese animation to the iconic Cultural Foundation, complete with a live orchestral concert centerpiece.

If you've been waiting for the ultimate anime experience in Abu Dhabi, this is it. Anime Week brings five extraordinary days of Japanese animation to the iconic Cultural Foundation, with a special live musical performance as the centerpiece of the week.

This isn't just a film festival. It's a jaw-dropping celebration of anime's cultural legacy — and tickets start from just AED 35.

🎥Complete Film Lineup for Anime Week Abu Dhabi

Here's everything screening across five unforgettable days:

🐉 Spirited Away (Ages 8+)

Wednesday, October 14 | 7:00 PM | 125 minutes

Japan, 2001 — dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli
Language: Japanese, with English & Arabic subtitles

When ten-year-old Chihiro's parents are transformed into pigs in a mysterious world of spirits, she must take work in a bathhouse for the gods to free them and find her way home. Miyazaki's Academy Award–winning masterpiece is a spellbinding fable about courage, resilience, and growing up.

💥 Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Ages 10+)

Thursday, October 15 | 7:00 PM | 100 minutes

Japan, 2018 — dir. Tatsuya Nagamine, Toei Animation
Language: Japanese, with English & Arabic subtitles

Goku and Vegeta come face to face with Broly, a Saiyan of overwhelming and untamed power unleashed by Frieza's forces. As the secret origins of the Saiyan race are revealed, the three warriors collide in one of the franchise's most explosive battles.

🌊 Ponyo (Ages 5+)

Friday, October 16 | 4:00 PM | 101 minutes

Japan, 2008 — dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli
Language: Japanese, with English & Arabic subtitles

A magical goldfish princess named Ponyo befriends a five-year-old boy on the shore and longs to become human — a wish that sends the ocean out of balance and stirs a great storm. A tender, dazzlingly animated tale of friendship and wonder.

⚔️ Attack on Titan: The Last Attack (Ages 14+)

Friday, October 16 | 7:00 PM | 115 minutes

Japan, 2024 — dir. Yuichiro Hayashi, MAPPA
Language: Japanese, with English & Arabic subtitles

The epic finale of the Attack on Titan saga arrives on the big screen for the first time. As Eren unleashes the catastrophic "Rumbling," his former comrades and enemies must unite in a last, desperate stand to decide the fate of the world.

🏰 Laputa: Castle in the Sky (Ages 8+)

Saturday, October 17 | 3:00 PM | 124 minutes

Japan, 1986 — dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli
Language: Japanese, with English subtitles only

A young girl named Sheeta and a spirited boy named Pazu are pursued by sky pirates and government agents seeking the crystal that unlocks Laputa, a legendary floating city. Miyazaki's soaring adventure is a timeless story of friendship, courage, and the perils of unchecked power.

🧹 Kiki's Delivery Service (Ages 5+)

Sunday, October 18 | 3:00 PM | 103 minutes

Japan, 1989 — dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli
Language: Japanese, with Arabic subtitles only

A thirteen-year-old witch leaves home with her talking cat to spend a year training in a seaside town, where she starts a flying delivery service and learns to find her feet. A warm, beloved coming-of-age story about independence and believing in yourself.

🎤 One Piece Film: Red (Ages 13+)

Sunday, October 18 | 7:00 PM | 145 minutes

Japan, 2022 — dir. Gorō Taniguchi, Toei Animation
Language: Japanese; subtitles to be confirmed

Uta — the world's most beloved diva and the secret daughter of the pirate Shanks — takes the stage for her first-ever live concert. As Luffy and the Straw Hats join the crowd, her true intentions surface, drawing pirates, Marines, and fans into a spectacle where dream and reality collide.

🎵 Anime Memories — The Live Concert Centerpiece

Saturday, October 17 | 8:00 PM | Cultural Foundation

This is the exclusive event that elevates Anime Week into something truly unforgettable. Anime Memories brings the music of Japan's biggest anime titles to the iconic Cultural Foundation stage.

What to expect:

• Japanese instrumental trio feat. A joined by acclaimed singer NORISTRY
• Iconic openings and beloved songs from One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Miyazaki films
• Audiences invited to sing along — this is a celebration, not just a performance
• 90-minute set with Japanese songs and English announcements

Anime Memories Details:

💰 Promo Alert: Use code Anime20 when booking concert tickets for a discount.

🎟️ The Essential Details (Effortless Planning)

📍 Getting There (Tested Routes)

By Car: You can drive to the Cultural Foundation from anywhere in Abu Dhabi. Free parking is available — but slots are limited, so arrive early.

By Public Transport: The Cultural Foundation is accessible by bus. The nearest bus station is Abu Dhabi Bus Station, which is 1.2 kilometers away. You can also catch Bus 034 from Abu Dhabi Bus Station directly to the Cultural Foundation — the journey takes just 8 minutes and runs every 30 minutes.

By Taxi: A ride-hailing app or taxi will get you there easily. It's a famous destination, and most drivers know it well.

⚠️ Must-Know Rules (Learn From Others' Mistakes)

I'll be direct because I want your experience to be flawless:

• Download the Platinumlist application to access your ticket before proceeding to the Theatre
• Doors open 30 minutes before the show begins
• Patrons arriving late will only be admitted at a suitable break — possibly in alternate seat locations
• Photography, audio, or video recording — including camera phones — are strictly prohibited inside the Theatre unless otherwise specified
• No food or drinks are allowed inside the theatre
• Limited free parking slots — arrive early or use public transport

❓ Quick Answers to Your Burning Questions

What are the age restrictions for films?
Each film has its own rating: Ponyo and Kiki's are 5+, Spirited Away and Laputa are 8+, Dragon Ball Super: Broly is 10+, One Piece Film: Red is 13+, and Attack on Titan is 14+.

Which films have Arabic subtitles?

• English & Arabic subtitles: Spirited Away, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Ponyo, Attack on Titan: The Last Attack
• English subtitles only: Laputa: Castle in the Sky
• Arabic subtitles only: Kiki's Delivery Service
• To be confirmed: One Piece Film: Red

Can I attend just the concert?
Yes. Anime Memories tickets are sold separately from film screenings.

Is this suitable for non-Japanese speakers?
Absolutely. All films screen in Japanese with subtitles, and the concert features English announcements.

How do I book?
Tickets are available through Platinumlist — both the film week and the Anime Memories concert have dedicated booking pages.

🎯 The Bottom Line

If you've been searching for a verified, risk-free, and genuinely unforgettable anime experience in Abu Dhabi, Anime Week at Cultural Foundation is it. It's more than a film festival — it's a five-day celebration of Japanese animation's cultural legacy, bringing together Studio Ghibli's timeless masterpieces and today's biggest franchise hits.

Wednesday, October 14 – Sunday, October 18, 2026. Tickets from AED 35. All ages welcome (per film ratings).

Don't wait. These screenings are limited and exclusive — and anime fans across the UAE have been waiting for an event like this for years.

Rediscover beloved masterpieces. Celebrate today's biggest hits. Experience anime the way it was meant to be seen. 🎌

That's the real magic. And it's waiting for you at Cultural Foundation.

⚠️Disclaimer

Event details, pricing, schedules, subtitle options, and age ratings are subject to change. Always verify information directly with the venue or Platinumlist before booking. This guide is for informational purposes and reflects details available as of 2026. Photography, audio, and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the theatre. Limited free parking available — public transport recommended.