For millions of fans, the idea of a Dragon Ball theme park sounds like an incredible dream come true. After all, what fan of Goku or the Super Saiyans could resist the chance to step into the world created by legendary manga artist Akira Toriyama? Naturally, if such a place were ever built, it would make the most sense for it to be in Japan—where the Dragon Ball saga first began in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump back in 1984.
In fact, a Dragon Ball theme park is currently in development—but not in Japan, or even anywhere in Asia. Instead, fans will need to travel all the way to Saudi Arabia to visit the theme park of their dreams. The announcement has left many wondering why Japan, the birthplace of Dragon Ball and one of the world’s leading hubs for anime and manga, isn’t the one hosting an attraction dedicated to one of its most iconic cultural exports.
Toei Brings a Dragon Ball Theme Park to Saudi Arabia
A Park Built for Levels Over 9000
A massive Dragon Ball theme park is currently being developed in Saudi Arabia by the Qiddiya Investment Company, which is behind a larger entertainment project near Riyadh. They’re working closely with Toei Animation, the studio that created the original Dragon Ball series, to bring the world of the anime to life. The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 plan to grow its entertainment and tourism industries.
The park is set to feature seven zones based on iconic locations from the Dragon Ball universe, with attractions designed to immerse fans in the action. Highlights include a Flying Nimbus roller coaster, a high-speed battle simulation ride, and life-sized statues of fan-favorite characters. There will also be interactive experiences, themed dining spots, and plenty of photo-worthy moments for visitors of all ages.
Why Is There No Dragon Ball Theme Park in Japan?
Still Room for a Comeback
The choice to build the first-ever Dragon Ball theme park in Saudi Arabia instead of Japan has raised eyebrows, especially since the series originated there. While Japan has popular anime attractions—like the Dragon Ball 4D ride at Universal Studios Japan—a full-scale park never took shape. Limited space and high development costs may be part of the reason. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is offering a massive site as part of its Vision 2030 plan, making it a more practical location for such a large-scale project.
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The Future of Dragon Ball Is Unclear, But One Animator Wants to See It Go On Without Akira Toriyama
With Toriyama gone, Nakatsuru sees Dragon Ball’s future as open-ended, welcoming new voices while preserving its original spirit.
While there’s no official completion date yet for the Dragon Ball park, the project is already turning heads for its sheer size, over-the-top plans, and the surprise twist of being built in the desert instead of Japan. It’s a power move for Saudi Arabia’s entertainment goals, but Japan’s not out of the game. With hits like One Piece and Naruto still theme-park-free, there’s still plenty of potential for something big back home.
Source: Mainichi Daily
Dragon Ball
Created by
Akira Toriyama
First Film
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Summary
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
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