In the fictional world of the popular Japanese manga and anime series Dragon Ball, the protagonist embarks on a journey to collect seven magical orbs in order to summon a wish-granting dragon.
That wish appears to have come true with a theme park on the outskirts of Riyadh run by Qiddiya Investment Company, a real estate developer backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
The company's website says the latest effort to boost tourism in the Persian Gulf state will feature 30 rides featuring Goku, Frieza and other characters. The park covers more than 5.3 million square feet in the city of Qiddiya, a desert area about 40 minutes from the capital, and is marked for development as an entertainment district, with a stadium, hotels, water park and Sixth Center. Construction is planned. Flag Park and Golf Course.
Saudi Arabia is pouring billions of dollars into development projects that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman believes are key to reducing the country's oil dependence. The country aims to attract 150 million tourists a year by 2030, and the crown prince has made video games and entertainment a pillar of the country's future growth.
Japan-based Toei Animation Co., Ltd. and a division of MBS's MiSK Foundation have partnered to produce the animated film. The country's sovereign wealth fund is now Nintendo's largest outside shareholder.
One of the park's signature rides is a 230-foot roller coaster named after Shenron, the magical dragon from the manga.
The theme park's announcement comes just days after the death of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama. The series has sold over 260 million copies worldwide and has inspired several animated series, video games, and Hollywood-produced films.
The deserts of Saudi Arabia seem like an unlikely location for a Dragon Ball theme park, but it sure is hot. Summer daytime temperatures in Riyadh can easily rise to over 122 degrees Fahrenheit.