Riyadh Dragon Ball park celebrate anime world

Article posted by Coliseum, March 28^th, 2024

Image: Qiddiya

The Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has signed a deal with Toei Animation to license the Dragon Ball franchise for a new theme park at the Qiddiya City development in Saudi Arabia.

‘THEME PARK INSIDER’ quoted Katsuhiro Takagi, Toei Animation President, as stating, “Our collaboration with Qiddiya marks a key milestone, offering fans a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the epic adventures of Dragon Ball first-hand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The reveal of the world’s only Dragon Ball theme park is a testament to the timeless legacy of the Dragon Ball franchise.”

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)-based the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is a real estate development company that is building Qiddiya City, the capital of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment, sports and culture. The QIC was incorporated on May 10^th, 2018, and is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The project is located 40 kilometers from downtown Riyadh and covers 376 square kilometers.

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Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)-based the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, established in 1971. It is one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, with estimated assets of US$ 925 billion (726.3 billion). The PIF provides financing for commercial projects that are important to the development of the Saudi Arabian economy. It also complements the private sector efforts with additional experience and capital resources.

Nerima City (Japan)-based the Toei Animation is a Japanese animation studio that plans, produces and licenses animation. The company has produced many popular series and movies. The Toei Animation has been producing animation for over 50 years and has a library of 239 theatrical features and 220 TV programs, totaling 12,569 episodes.

The Dragon Ball franchise is a Japanese media franchise created by Akira Toriyama in 1984 and produced by Toei Animation. The franchise includes 20 feature films and four TV series, including Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013), Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015), Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018), and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022).

Added Abdullah Aldawood, Qiddiya Investment Company Managing Director, “We are pleased to be partnering with Toei Animation, bringing their rich legacy of pioneering contributions to the anime industry to Qiddiya City. The Dragon Ball Theme Park is a celebration of the diverse and vibrant world of anime, offering a unique blend of thrills, family-friendly attractions and immersive entertainment for everyone.”

‘THEME PARK INSIDER’ further stated that the park will feature seven themed zones, inspired by the seven wish-granting dragon balls from the franchise. It will span over 123 acres, with more than 30 themed rides, including “five groundbreaking attractions”. The project also will offer themed in-park hotels.

At the heart of the park will stand a 230-foot Shenron landmark, which will be home to a new roller coaster.

The Qiddiya City is a tourism project now under construction near Riyadh. The project will include the Six Flags Qiddiya amusement park, also now under construction, as well as a new Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Grade 1 racetrack, which is expected to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2027. There is no announced opening date yet for the Dragon Ball Theme Park.

The Six Flags Qiddiya is an upcoming theme park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that is currently under construction. It will be the first Six Flags park in the Middle East and is expected to open in 2024. The park will cover 79 acres (0.32 km²) and feature 28 different rides and attractions across six themed lands.

Paris (France)-based the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is an association established on June 20th, 1904 to represent the interests of the motoring organizations and motor car users. It is the governing body for many auto racing events, including Formula One. The FIA also promotes road safety around the world.

Only the tracks that gain FIA’s Grade 1 license are allowed to host Formula One races, for example. The required standards to obtain the Grade 1 license are as follows: First, tracks must be at least 3.5 km long in total. Straights cannot be longer than 2 km and circuits should not exceed 7 km in length.

London (UK)-based the Formula One, commonly known as Formula 1 or F1, is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

The Orlando (US)-based Falcon’s Creative Group has announced that it is the master planner, attraction designer and “creative guardian” of the planned Dragon Ball Theme Park.

The Falcon’s Creative Group, also known as the Falcon’s Treehouse, is an Orlando (US)-based experience design and theme park design company that has been creating immersive experiences for 23 years. The company was founded in 2000 by Cecil D. Magpuri, who is the current Chief Creative Officer (COO) and President.

Commented Cecil D. Magpuri, Falcon’s Beyond head honcho, “It has been a true source of pride for our company to serve as a Lead Creative Consultant for the Dragon Ball Theme Park. The Qiddiya Investment Company, Toei Animation and our team hold a shared vision to reimagine the world of entertainment and delight consumers in new, innovative ways. This theme park will do just that.”

Orlando (US)-based Falcon’s Beyond is a global entertainment company that designs, owns and operates resorts, theme parks and other attractions. The company also provides services to museums, zoos, aquariums, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Falcon’s Beyond is known for reimagining how people shop, dine, relax, and play, and for its immersive storytelling.

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