Masameer

{{Short description|Saudi Arabian animated web series}}

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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

Masameer ({{langx|ar|مسامير}}) is a Saudi Arabian animated web series developed by the studio Myrkott, a studio co-established in 2014 by Faisal Alamer, Abdulaziz Al-Muzaini, and Malik Nejer,{{cite web|last=Alkhaisi|first=Zahraa|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/12/14/media/saudi-animation-studio-masameer/index.html|title=The studio behind the satirical Saudi cartoon millions are watching |publisher=CNN|date=2017-12-14|access-date=2020-11-22}} with its head office in Riyadh. The name of the show is from the fictional location of Masameer County, which is located west of the capital city of Riyadh. The series parodies societal issues in Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Zahraa Alkhaisi of CNN wrote that the series was "satirical" and that the topics "would have been taboo until very recently."

In 2020 the studio signed, with Netflix, a deal for exclusive distribution for a five year period.{{cite web|last=Bedirian|first=Razmig|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/saudi-animation-studio-behind-masameer-signs-five-year-deal-with-netflix-1.1078527|title=Saudi animation studio behind 'Masameer' signs five-year deal with Netflix |newspaper=The National|place=Abu Dhabi|date=2020-09-16|access-date=2020-11-22}} Masameer: The Movie was released for Netflix{{cite web|url=https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/591048|title=Masameer the Movie is coming to Netflix following its success in theaters |newspaper=Saudi Gazette|date=2020-03-19|access-date=2020-11-22}} and earned about 7.5 million riyal. The second season of Masameer County premiered on March 2, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Lind |first=Emily Alyn |title=Masameer County Season 2 Will Debut on Netflix |url=https://nexttvseries.com/masameer-county-season-2-premiere-date-on-netflix-renewed-and-cancelled/ |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=Next TV Series |date=21 February 2023 |language=en-US}}

In 2021, the 'Masameer Experience' a Simworx dynamic media attraction based on the series, was opened at the BLVD Ruh City development in Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news|last=Whittaker|first=Adam|date=2021-11-04|title=Simworx experience opens at BLVD RUH City|work=Blooloop|url=https://blooloop.com/retailtainment/news/simworx-masameer-blvd-ruh-city/|access-date=2021-11-05}}

On June 26, 2024, Masameer creator Abdulaziz al-Muzaini announced that a Saudi court was prosecuting him with charges that he and his company had "sponsored and supported terrorism and homosexuality" in Masameer. The case had been set in motion in 2021, coinciding with the series' release on Netflix. Muzaini was sentenced to 13 years in prison and a 13 year travel ban, increased to a 30 year travel ban following Muzaini's attempt to appeal the verdict. The case is pending an appeal to the Saudi Arabia Supreme Court.{{cite news |author=Washington Post Editorial Board |date=23 August 2024 |title= In Saudi Arabia, a popular animator faces jail time — for being irreverent |url=https://wapo.st/3XgnQvd |work=Washington Post |access-date=23 August 2024}}