France’s ambitious Dragon Ball project faces significant setback.

This week, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled an ambitious project: a Dragon Ball-themed amusement park, developed in partnership with Saudi Arabia, aimed at competing with Disneyland. The park is projected to cost around €6 billion ($7 billion) and will be located about 45 minutes northwest of Paris. However, despite the financial backing from Saudi Arabia and the French government’s endorsement, the project is currently missing a crucial element: approval from the rights holders of Dragon Ball.

According to reports from a French newspaper, multiple anonymous sources have indicated that the proposal has not received the green light from the Japanese entities that own the Dragon Ball franchise. With the Qiddiya Investment Company leading the initiative, some fans might find solace in this news. The Saudi government has been heavily investing in sports and entertainment, including a recent acquisition of EA Sports, which some view as an attempt to divert attention from ongoing human rights issues in the country. Additionally, the CIA has implicated Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The situation is further complicated by the fragmented ownership of the Dragon Ball intellectual property, which is divided among several parties: Bird Studio, founded by the late Akira Toriyama, Shueisha (the manga publisher), Toei Animation (responsible for anime adaptations), Bandai Namco (for toys and merchandise), and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, a production company established in 2023 by former Shueisha editor Akio Iyoku and Toriyama.

Following Toriyama’s passing in March 2024, the rights landscape has become increasingly convoluted, with reports of ongoing disputes over control of the beloved franchise. Iyoku has been a key player in recent projects, including the Dragon Ball Daima anime, but he is viewed by some as a controversial figure who may not have the full backing of the Toriyama estate or other stakeholders.

The French Dragon Ball park is not the only one in the works; a similar venture is underway in Saudi Arabia as part of the expansive “Qiddiya City” project. Once completed, this park is expected to span over 500,000 square meters and will feature seven distinct areas that recreate iconic locations from the series, such as Kame House, Capsule Corporation, and Beerus’s Planet, along with more than 30 attractions.

Macron has openly expressed his enthusiasm for Japanese culture, even sharing a video message during the Yu-Gi-Oh! 2025 World Championship that showcased his prized Blue-Eyes White Dragon card. He also posed for a Kamehameha photo with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi earlier this year. However, the involvement of Saudi Arabia in the French Dragon Ball park project has left many fans justifiably cautious about labeling it a true passion project.

Here’s everything you need to know about the deal.