In Qiddiya, a cultural and entertainment city project located on the outskirts of Riyadh, a theme park dedicated to the popular anime and manga series “Dragon Ball” is set to be constructed. This will be the first of its kind in the world and is expected to be a major attraction for fans of the series. The park will cover over 500,000 square meters and is expected to open soon.
“Dragon Ball” originally started as a manga comic series that was serialized from 1984 to 1995, following the adventures of protagonist Goku and his allies as they faced increasingly powerful enemies. The success of the series both in Japan and internationally led to the creation of multiple anime series, films, and a wide range of merchandise.
Toei Animation has revealed that the park will consist of seven different zones, each themed around different aspects of the Dragon Ball universe from various television series. There will be over 30 attractions in the park, with a centerpiece roller coaster planned to be built around a 70-meter tall recreation of Shenron, the mythical dragon who can grant wishes to those who collect all seven dragon balls.
The announcement of the theme park comes shortly after the passing of series creator Akira Toriyama on March 1 at the age of 68 due to a brain hematoma. His death was mourned by fans in Japan and around the world, highlighting the impact that his work on “Dragon Ball” had on popular culture. The new theme park is expected to be a fitting tribute to Toriyama’s legacy and will likely attract fans from all over the world.
