Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Company announced today, Friday, that it will build the world’s first amusement park based on the "Dragon Ball" manga, films, and video games in the country.
The company stated in a press release that the park, centered around the world of the fictional martial artist Goku and his friends, will be part of the Qiddiya investment project near Riyadh. The project, covering an area of 500,000 square meters, will include walking areas and attractions in seven zones inspired by the "Dragon Ball" series, along with hotels and restaurants.
The "Dragon Ball" stories began publishing in Japanese magazine Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984 before being adapted into films, video games, and TV series distributed in over 80 countries. Its creator, Akira Toriyama, a Japanese manga writer, passed away at the age of 68 earlier this month, prompting fans worldwide to bid farewell with memorials and tributes.
Saudi Arabia's efforts to diversify its oil and gas-dependent economy include the establishment of several massive entertainment projects. The Qiddiya project is being built on a site more than twice the size of Disney World in Florida, and it is also set to include a Six Flags amusement park.
