World first 'Dragon Ball' theme park to open with 220ft dragon rollercoaster
If you're a fan of the Dragon Ball franchise, then you'll be thrilled to hear that there will soon be a theme park where you can completely immerse yourself in the world of the series.
The world's first theme park dedicated to the action-packed animated series is set to open in Saudi Arabia, spanning more than half a million square metres and boasting more than 30 rides.
Thrill seekers will be able to dually get their Dragon Ball fix and an adrenalin rush at the attraction, as it is expected to feature several different areas which mirror key locations in the original series.
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People will be able to roam around the likes of Kame House, Capsule Corporation and Beerus's Planet at the theme park - as well as more than 30 themed rides and various hotels and restaurants, the press release says.
The ambitious projects are getting underway amid Saudi Arabia's huge investment into increasing tourism in the region.
The Dragon Ball theme park will be situated among other entertainment hotspots in Qiddiya City, near the capital city Riyadh.
I'm pretty sure the 220ft tall sculpture of Shenron, the wish-giving dragon, will be the star of the new theme park though - especially as it will have carriages of screaming visitors rolling around him.
That's right - there's going to be a rollercoaster built inside the Eternal Dragon - which is sure to rival its now-under-construction neighbour Six Flags Qiddiya.
The plans are all part of a 'long-term strategic 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.
They released a promo video promising an 'unprecedented, immersive entertainment destination' for Dragon Ball fans 'where fantasy and thrills collide' and people can 'play a part in the epic sagas'.
Visitors will supposedly feel like they are on an adventure with Goku and his friends after stepping foot inside the theme park, which takes inspiration from the 'very beginning of the anime all the way up through Dragon Ball Super'.
The announcement has received a mixed reaction on social media, however, with some celebrating the prospect of the attraction and others slamming Saudi Arabia's human rights record, treatment of women and LGBTQ+ people.
It also comes just weeks after Dragon Ball's creator, Akira Toriyama, passed away on 1 March at the age of 68 due to a acute subdural hematoma.
Only family and a few friends attended his funeral, a statement on the official Dragon Ball website said.
His work is regarded as one of the 'most influential anime and manga franchises of all time' by fans around the world.
Topics: Theme Park, World News, News, TV and Film, Entertainment
Olivia Burke