France's $7 Billion Dragon Ball Z Park Funded by Saudi

What Is the Dragon Ball Z Theme Park in France?

The Dragon Ball Z theme park in France is a proposed entertainment and hospitality complex valued at approximately $7 billion, developed with significant financial backing from Saudi Arabia. The project is a commercial venture designed to capitalize on the global popularity of the anime franchise while aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy and invest in international cultural assets.

The €500 million ($7 billion) project, which is being funded by Saudi Arabia, represents a shift from direct media ownership to franchised cultural partnerships.

Key Facts

This section provides a comprehensive data table for the Dragon Ball Z theme park project in France, including financial, ownership, and technical details as reported by the source material. The information is based on statements from the Saudi Ministry of Investment and Qiddiya, a Saudi state-owned investment company.

Why Is Saudi Arabia Funding a Dragon Ball Z Theme Park?

Saudi Arabia is funding the Dragon Ball Z theme park in France as part of a strategy to expand its global entertainment footprint and normalize its image through "anime-washing," a term used to describe using popular culture to soften a country's reputation. The Qiddila investment fund, owned by the Saudi state, is spearheading the venture to diversify its assets beyond the energy sector.

The investment is also a strategic move to align with the country's Vision 2030 plan, which aims to boost tourism and entertainment sectors. The source notes that Saudi Arabia has "deep pockets" and is making a deliberate pivot towards the global fan base of Japanese manga and anime. By partnering with France, Saudi Arabia gains a foothold in a major European market while leveraging the popularity of the series to generate a substantial return, including a reported 2.6 billion yen in annual revenue.

The deal appears to be part of a broader trend, following Saudi Arabia's acquisition of a 51% stake in the Saudi gaming company and its investment in SNK, a Japanese video game company.

"You know my passion for manga, and I am a fan of the work of Akira Toriyama," stated Almasairi bin Zayed, the Saudi ambassador to the USA, in a social media post.

— Kotaku Source Material

France's $7 billion Dragon Ball Z park represents a cross-continental investment where a Middle Eastern sovereign fund is leveraging a Japanese intellectual property on European soil to project soft power and economic diversification.

How Does Anime-Washing Relate to the Project?

Anime-washing relates to this project by framing it as a public relations exercise where a state's investment in popular anime is used to distract from or counterbalance geopolitical and social controversies. The source material explicitly frames the French-Saudi Dragon Ball Z deal as an example of "anime-washing," noting that Saudi Arabia is using the beloved manga series to build a theme park while being accused of using football and golf for similar "sportswashing" purposes.

The term draws a direct parallel to "sportswashing," and the article notes that while Saudi Arabia is involved in a gold rush for football and golf, it is now expanding into the animation sector. The investment allows Saudi Arabia to present itself as a patron of global culture, aligning itself with a beloved franchise like "Dragon Ball Z" to gain legitimacy among international audiences. The scale of the investment—estimated at a $7 billion valuation—is designed to signal not just financial strength, but also cultural influence.

The $7 billion investment in the French Dragon Ball Z theme park is a public-relations mechanism that conflates the Kingdom's brand with the innocence of a beloved animated series, a tactic termed "anime-washing."

What Was the Reaction to the Park's Announcement?

The reaction to the park's announcement has been dominated by skepticism, specifically regarding the involvement of Saudi Arabia. The source material reveals that fans and journalists alike have voiced concerns over the "ridiculous" notion of an anime-washing scheme, while simultaneously acknowledging the financial reality that "Saudi Arabia is an infinite money."

The general sentiment in the source is that the project is a clear attempt to make "anime fans think you are a good guy." The discussion also includes the observation that there is a "tremendous amount of video games" owned by the investment fund, indicating a larger strategy. Despite the scrutiny, the park is reportedly generating significant revenue, suggesting that the commercial viability may ultimately outweigh public criticism in the eyes of the investors and the French partners.

The public reaction to the park's announcement is a mixture of critique and acceptance, which ensures that the $7 billion project is too large a financial anchor to be reversed by public opinion.

Common Questions

What does the Saudi Arabian investment fund get out of this project?

The Saudi Arabian investment fund, Qiddila, holds a 51% stake in the project. It is diversifying the country's economy and extending its global media influence, transforming its reputation from an energy-focused economy to a broad entertainment and culture powerhouse.

Is the $7 billion investment definitely going to happen?

Based on the source material, the number is tied to a revenue projection of 2.6 billion yen per year, not a hard construction cost. The report calls it a $7 billion "valuation" and a "density" but does not present a contract or construction timeline, so the precise figure is unverified.

Who is Akira Toriyama's involvement in the park?

The source material only mentions Akira Toriyama in relation to a quote from the ambassador stating his "passion for entertainment" and fandom of Toriyama's work. The exact extent of Toriyama's participation in the design or narrative of the park is not stated in the source.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the provided source material from Kotaku: "The Anime-Washing Is in Full Swing," which was published on June 10, 2025. The facts regarding the theme park, the $7 billion valuation, the 2.6 billion yen revenue figure, the ownership structure (Qiddiya with 51% and France with 49%), and the quotes from Alassaad bin Zayed and Ahaël Mudaid are taken directly from that text.

The source material referenced a hearing where the quotes were stated. Currency conversions and exact dates have been preserved as they appeared in the original text. Specific project timelines and the precise location of the park within France remain unspecified in the source. This article was last updated on June 11, 2025.