Reports earlier this week that France and Saudi Arabia would build a Dragon Ball–themed amusement park on the outskirts of Paris—part of a €6 billion (about HK$54.8 billion) entertainment complex—sparked global excitement among anime fans. However, Toei Animation, the Japanese studio that holds key rights to the Dragon Ball franchise, has issued an official clarification stating it has never granted any license for such a project in France and is not aware of any plans to that effect.
The story traces back to a memorandum of understanding announced by the French presidency on August 25, during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Paris. The framework envisages three theme parks near Paris, including a Japanese anime/manga park, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), a subsidiary of the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund. The MoU did not specify any IP names.
French officials described the development as “colossal” and comparable to Disneyland, and President Emmanuel Macron—known for his enthusiasm for manga—previously struck Goku’s iconic “Kamehameha” pose alongside Japan’s prime minister earlier this year. Local media subsequently inferred that Dragon Ball would be the park’s centerpiece, fueling the narrative of a Paris Dragon Ball park.
In its statement, Toei Animation said that concept images and videos circulating with the Paris reports actually come from the officially licensed Dragon Ball theme park announced for Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, in March 2024. Toei stressed those visuals “have no connection whatsoever” with any potential park in France. In short, the Paris Dragon Ball park appears to be a case of cross-border misinformation triggered by diplomatic news and media speculation.
The broader three-park project near Paris remains in early stages, with final IP selections yet to be confirmed by the rights holders. As one of the world’s most valuable anime IPs, Dragon Ball commands a massive fanbase in Europe, and any park-related announcement naturally draws intense market attention. This episode underscores how a single unverified rumor can ripple across the global anime industry—and why official licensing confirmation matters before such projects are treated as fact.
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