A large-scale Dragon Ball amusement park project announced by French President Emmanuel Macron has encountered a significant hurdle: a lack of explicit permission from the franchise's rights holders. The ambitious project, intended to rival Disneyland and estimated to cost €6 billion ($7 billion), is planned for a site 45 minutes northwest of Paris, with substantial financial backing from Saudi Arabia.
Reports from French newspaper Le Monde, citing anonymous sources close to the project, indicate that the proposal has not yet secured approval from the Japanese companies that control the Dragon Ball intellectual property. The Qiddiya Investment Company, a Saudi government entity, is leading the development, mirroring a similar initiative within Saudi Arabia's own "Qiddiya City" development.
The distribution of Dragon Ball rights is complex, reportedly split among multiple entities including the estate of the late creator Akira Toriyama's Bird Studio, publisher Shueisha, animation studio Toei Animation, toy and merchandising company Bandai Namco, and Capsule Corporation Tokyo. The recent passing of Toriyama in March 2024 has further complicated the situation, with reports suggesting internal struggles for control of the highly valuable franchise.
Akio Iyoku, founder of Capsule Corporation Tokyo and a former Shueisha editor, has been involved in recent productions like the Dragon Ball Daima anime. However, some sources describe him as a controversial figure whose actions may not have the full consensus of all involved parties. This has led to speculation and concern regarding the authorization of such large-scale ventures.
The Saudi park, part of the Qiddiya City project, is slated to be over 500,000 square meters and feature seven themed zones recreating iconic locations such as Kame House and Capsule Corporation, alongside more than 30 attractions. While President Macron has openly expressed his enthusiasm for Japanese entertainment, including sharing a video message at the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship and posing in a Kamehameha with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the involvement of Saudi Arabia in the French project has raised questions among fans, particularly given the country's human rights record and past controversies.
It remains to be seen whether the necessary approvals will be obtained for the French Dragon Ball park to proceed as planned.