For millions of fans, the idea of aDragon Balltheme 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 theDragon Ballsaga first began in the pages ofWeekly Shonen Jumpback in 1984.
In fact,aDragon Balltheme park is currently in development—but not in Japan, or even anywhere in Asia. Instead, fans will need to travel all the way toSaudi Arabiato visit the theme park of their dreams. The announcementhas left many wonderingwhy Japan, the birthplace ofDragon Balland 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 massiveDragon Balltheme park is currently being developed in Saudi Arabiaby 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 originalDragon Ballseries, 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 theDragon Balluniverse, 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-everDragon Balltheme park in Saudi Arabia instead of Japan has raised eyebrows, especially since the series originated there. While Japan has popular anime attractions—like theDragon Ball4D ride atUniversal Studios Japan—a full-scale park never took shape.Limited space and high development costsmay 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.
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’sno official completion date yet for theDragon Ballpark, 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 likeOne PieceandNarutostill theme-park-free, there’s still plenty of potential for something big back home.
