Toei Animation denies Dragon Ball theme park plans in France

Toei Animation Dragon Ball theme park Qiddiya Investment Company licensing dispute

Toei Animation has officially denied reports that a Dragon Ball-themed amusement park is being constructed in France. The Japanese studio stated that neither it nor the relevant rights holders have granted any licenses for such a project and that they have no knowledge of the reported plans.

The controversy stems from a €6 billion investment agreement between France and Saudi Arabia to develop three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris. While French President Emmanuel Macron announced the large-scale project, he did not explicitly name any specific franchises. However, Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, claimed in a video that a Dragon Ball park would be part of the development.

Toei Animation clarified that concept images and videos circulating in media reports are actually from a separate, officially licensed Dragon Ball theme park project in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, which was announced in March 2024. The studio emphasized that these assets are unrelated to the proposed French development. Qiddiya Investment Company, which is involved in the French project, has indicated that negotiations with international brand holders are still ongoing.

Entities

Dragon Ball · Emmanuel Macron · France · Qiddiya Investment Company · Toei Animation · Valérie Pécresse

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] Toei Animation stated they have no knowledge of the facts regarding the French theme park reports. ascii.jp · coki.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · kai-you.net · www.xboxygen.com · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The concept images used in reports were actually from a 2024 joint announcement for a Saudi Arabian project and are unrelated to the French plan. ascii.jp · coki.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · kai-you.net · www.xboxygen.com · +5 more
[DISPUTED] Toei Animation and other rights holders have not granted any licenses for the reported Dragon Ball theme park in France. ascii.jp · coki.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · kai-you.net · www.xboxygen.com · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The investment plan involves approximately 6 billion euros and is backed by a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund. ascii.jp · coki.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · kai-you.net · www.otakupt.com · +6 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Qiddiya Investment Company has not yet obtained approval from Japanese rights holders to use Dragon Ball characters or branding for the French project. ascii.jp · coki.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · kai-you.net · www.xboxygen.com
[● 11 SOURCES] President Emmanuel Macron announced a 6 billion euro plan to build three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, France. ascii.jp · coki.jp · weekly.ascii.jp · kai-you.net · www.xboxygen.com · +6 more