Dragon Ball Theme Park

[Cure Dragon 255]

To this day I think The Nameless Namekian saw war in the Dragon Ball Equivalent of the Middle East and this gave birth to Piccolo Daimaoh.

[Galactic Specter]

I totally get why Saudi Arabia is where this theme park is happening (the diversification of the economy beyond oil) but I'm cautious to whether they'll actually see it to completion. I've heard news of many proposed tourist attractions in the country going up in smoke before so this could be another one.

I do hope they actually pull it off because I would love to visit it.

[Dbzfan94]

The idea of an amusement park is great and all, but SA doesn’t seem like a good location. I guess I’ll have to pass.

[Hellspawn28]

They couldn't even wait a month before Toriyama passed before selling the rights to a Dragon Ball theme park, to Saudi Arabia of all places? Disgusting.

They probably had the rights to this before Toriyama died. Things like this was in the works for a while.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Yeah, but it's not very safe for people who are LGBTQ+, women, and other religions as SA can hostile towards them.

Exactly, while I'd love to go to a Dragon Ball theme park and I welcome any efforts to embrace nerd culture Saudi Arabia has far bigger problems than a lack of either that should probably be sorted out first. For a franchise with such wide appeal the last thing any park managers would want to do is limit who they can allow in.

Dragon Ball does evoke Middle Eastern imagery from time to time. I do remember reading that the Arabic dub of DBZ was heavily censored and tried to downplay the references to Eastern religion and mythology, but I don’t typically hear about Muslim countries having some taboo against fantasy elements in movies and television.

Yeah, a story Sean Schemmel told Derek Padula (which I assume Schemmel learned from travelling around the world doing cons and meeting fans from everywhere) is that because many Arabic countries are opposed to Darwin's theory of evolution and consider it sacrilege, lines in the Arabic dub about saiyans "changing" into Oozarus were revised to imply they "summoned" an Oozaru. The Arabic dub is also edited in a way that during the last few seconds before a saiyan shows any signs of transformation it cuts to show a fully grown Oozaru and the remaining seconds before the transformation are intercut to make it appear like the saiyans were mentally controlling the Oozarus. Additionally instead of being Goku's brother Raditz was just random space alien since fratricide is forbidden in Islam. Some fascinating stories around some of these dubs when you look into the culture they were created within, for better or for worse.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Yeah, but it's not very safe for people who are LGBTQ+, women, and other religions as SA can hostile towards them.

Exactly, while I'd love to go to a Dragon Ball theme park and I welcome any efforts to embrace nerd culture Saudi Arabia has far bigger problems than a lack of either that should probably be sorted out first. For a franchise with such wide appeal the last thing any park managers would want to do is limit who they can allow in.

Dragon Ball does evoke Middle Eastern imagery from time to time. I do remember reading that the Arabic dub of DBZ was heavily censored and tried to downplay the references to Eastern religion and mythology, but I don’t typically hear about Muslim countries having some taboo against fantasy elements in movies and television.

Yeah, a story Sean Schemmel told Derek Padula (which I assume Schemmel learned from travelling around the world doing cons and meeting fans from everywhere) is that because many Arabic countries are opposed to Darwin's theory of evolution and consider it sacrilege, lines in the Arabic dub about saiyans "changing" into Oozarus were revised to imply they "summoned" an Oozaru. The Arabic dub is also edited in a way that during the last few seconds before a saiyan shows any signs of transformation it cuts to show a fully grown Oozaru and the remaining seconds before the transformation are intercut to make it appear like the saiyans were mentally controlling the Oozarus. Additionally instead of being Goku's brother Raditz was just random space alien since fratricide is forbidden in Islam. Some fascinating stories around some of these dubs when you look into the culture they were created within, for better or for worse.

Ironically, I think the Kai and Super dubs MIGHT have lightened up with some of these restrictions. I am not sure, but I think they might have.

[Rafa Fast]

I just wonder...How long it will to take for this to be completed?

[Galactic Specter]

I just wonder...How long it will to take for this to be completed?

It would probably take more than five years assuming they've actually finalized the plans to commence construction as the official article states on the Dragon Ball website. An entire theme park like this is a massive undertaking and incredibly ambitious, this isn't like Super Nintendo World which was one themed area of a much larger theme park.

I'll believe it when I see the actual construction of this park happening.

[sangofe]

I totally get why Saudi Arabia is where this theme park is happening (the diversification of the economy beyond oil) but I'm cautious to whether they'll actually see it to completion. I've heard news of many proposed tourist attractions in the country going up in smoke before so this could be another one.

I do hope they actually pull it off because I would love to visit it.

Can you give examples of projects that were cancelled?

[Omori]

About the location, it's not just about the Dragon Ball theme park - they are building a huge entertainment city in Qiddiya.
Other theme parks, stadiums, even a new Formula One track and much more... something huge is happening there.
The plan is to have everything completed by 2030.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP8hKbFM59w

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Ironically, I think the Kai and Super dubs MIGHT have lightened up with some of these restrictions. I am not sure, but I think they might have.

That's interesting, I wonder why Venus Centre toned it down for Kai and Super?

Maybe there was complaints about Darwin's theory being undermined too much, or maybe it caused too much confusion for kids that watched Z on Spacetoon and later learned how things actually planned out on the Internet?

Another good thing about Super is its the one series that got a complete Arabic dub, and they actually toned down the episode Roshi tries to rape Yurin by using digital paint edits and rearranging scenes whenever Roshi isn't being respectful (which is odd but good as its the one thing you'd expect them to cut). Everything else stopped at around 50-100 episodes, and GT was never aired, although promotional art was shown in magazines and such.

[Galactic Specter]

I totally get why Saudi Arabia is where this theme park is happening (the diversification of the economy beyond oil) but I'm cautious to whether they'll actually see it to completion. I've heard news of many proposed tourist attractions in the country going up in smoke before so this could be another one.

I do hope they actually pull it off because I would love to visit it.

Can you give examples of projects that were cancelled?

I've probably consumed too much propaganda because I misconstrued delays and privately owned buildings as cancelled projects.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... et-delayed
Qiddiyah City is actually making good on its progress so far and their Six Flags and Water Park are expected to open in 2025-2026.

[tinlunlau]

Dragon Ball does evoke Middle Eastern imagery from time to time. I do remember reading that the Arabic dub of DBZ was heavily censored and tried to downplay the references to Eastern religion and mythology, but I don’t typically hear about Muslim countries having some taboo against fantasy elements in movies and television.

Still, Saudi Arabia is a pretty terrible place to go for a vacation. Even China would be preferable.

China is a better spot for a vacation. Disneyland in Shanghai and Hong Kong, good spot for shopping and especially for Hong Kong, it's an even better spot to shop for video games. Golden Computer Arcade has all sorts of console and PC gaming goods. And best part of it all, no taxes when shopping.

[eledoremassis02]

Re-reading super and just came across this from Vol.8 lol

[ObnoxiousNamek]

I think that running joke on twitter about DB fans being one of the dumbest anime fanbases might hold some merit. There are actually People (even in this thread) that have this conspiracy theory that because they annouced this after Toriyamas demise this was some evil scheme by Shueisha/Toei to make money etc etc(Knowing damn well they werent just gonna drop/stop evrything dragonball just cause he died). You know this theme park was in the work for some years before they announced it you just dont announce things this massive like this without pre planning or approvals.

[DBZimran]

The Islamophobia is palpable.

[Cure Dragon 255]

This isnt Islamophobia, I like Muslim people but its sadly true that Saudi Arabia is a very strict and discriminatory place. I think it will improve, they already removed the ban on Women Drivers. This ban was NOT religious, Muslim women driving its not such a big deal outside Saudi Arabia, the ban was just to diminish women's freedom. I think Arab territories didnt use to be so strict and I hope they chill again.

[Jord]

Of course, countries are only "good" whenever they conform to our Western believes.
When you choose to visit a country you (hopefully) adapt a bit to it's culture. If you don't like the culture, don't visit it. It will safe you al lot of headaches.

Back on topic, I'm curious to see how this will turn out. I believe it's a pull to draw international customers but I'm wondering if character voices will be English, Arabic, Japanese or another language. A lot of countries didn't get the English dub so it's an interesting to see where they'll go with this.

[The Tori-bot]

Of course, countries are only "good" whenever they conform to our Western believes.

If thinking women should be allowed to drive and journalists should be allowed to walk around without being dismembered by their government is “conforming to Western beliefs”, then for once I’m quite happy to conform. Agree to disagree I guess?