Saudi Arabia is set to build the first Dragon Ball theme park.
Recently, the kingdom has been getting involved in lots of new markets, from huge and ambitious building projects to boxing super-fights and other high-profile sporting events.
While this expansion has provoked mixed opinions and generated quite a lot of controversy, it has also created a lot of intrigue around the projects themselves.
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Take ‘The Line’ and the entire NEOM project, for instance.
Whatever you might think, you have to admit that they’ve got your attention, right?
Anyway, now fans of the wildly successful Japanese animation franchise Dragon Ball are set to have their own decision to make after a theme park dedicated to the series was announced.
Featuring a 70-meter dragon at the very heart of the park, as well as at least 30 rides, this proposed theme park would be the first dedicated to Dragon Ball.
According to the company set to oversee the project, Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) – which is completely owned by the Saudi Arabian public investment fund – the park will sit on more than 500,000 square meters of land.
This park is the centerpiece of a ‘long-term strategic partnership’ between QIC and Toei Animation, the producer of the long-running TV show.
As per the Dragon Ball website, the park will feature attractions such as a roller coaster based on the dragon Shenron – who grants wishes – amongst other rides based on the show.
Qiddiya is a huge project being built by the Saudi government as an entertainment and tourism center near to the capital, Riyadh.
This project – alongside other significant infrastructure works taking place in the kingdom – is part of a long-term strategy to move the oil-rich nation away from its current fossil fuel-driven economy.
The announcement of the Dragon Ball park has been welcomed by some fans of the show, although others have spoken out against the decision, citing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record among their significant concerns.
Dragon Ball was created by Akira Toriyama, who died on March 1 aged 68.
The comic book series first appeared in 1984, tracking the life of Son Goku as he collects magical balls – dragon balls, of course – that give whoever manages to collect all seven balls the ability to have their wish, whatever it may be, granted.
