Saudi Arabia will build the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park featuring a 70 metre tall dragon and at least 30 rides.
A park stretching over half a million square metres has been announced as part of the Saudi mega-project and entertainment destination Qiddiya City, near the capital city Riyadh.
The plans are part of a long term partnership between the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), which is owned by the Saudi Arabian government’s investment fund, and Toei Animation, the Japanese producer of Dragon Ball.
But the announcement has been met with criticism from fans who have highlighted Saudi Arabia’s human right’s record.
The park is expected to feature seven different areas that recreate various iconic locations from the original series, such as Kame House, Capsule Corporation, and Beerus's Planet.
A 70-metre high sculpture of Shenron, a wish-giving dragon that features in the franchise, will be built with a roller coaster inside.
The announcement comes weeks after the death of Dragon Ball comic creator Akira Toriyama.
He died from acute subdural hematoma on March 1, a serious condition where blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain, publisher Shueisha said.
Dragon Ball was first published in Weekly Shonen Jump comic magazine in 1984 and was later adapted into movies, video games and TV series, which were distributed in more than 80 countries.
The story of a boy Son Goku and his adventure in search of seven magical balls to make his wishes come true, has sold 260 million copies altogether.
Mr Toriyama was also known as a character and monster designer of the blockbuster role-playing game series Dragon Quest.
