Anime continues its global takeover, and French President Announces Manga Theme Park is the latest title making waves. Whether you follow the manga, the anime, or both, this news changes the picture in a big way.

The Story So Far

French President Emmanuel Macron disclosed a fresh 6 billion euro (about US$7 billion) theme park project. The project will build three theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise, a fresh development area about 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) outside of Paris. The Japan Times newspaper reported that Macron's office said one of the theme parks “is expected to be manga-themed,” and The Japan Times and British public broadcaster BBC further specified that a theme park is "expected to be themed on the Dragon Ball series." Macron stated that France has partnered with the Saudi Arabian investment company Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and funder of Saudi Arabia's planned Dragon Ball theme park, for the fresh project near Paris.

The president further stated that the project near Paris is on a scale not seen since Disneyland Paris and is projected to create 22,000 fresh jobs. The Japan Times and the BBC reported the project was approved during a two-day state visit by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to France this week. The Japan Times stated the leaders “signed a memorandum of understanding” for the project.

The BBC pointed out that local report indicate one of the theme parks could be built on the former site of the Mirapolis, a theme park that closed in Val-d'Oise in 1991. The Japan Times pointed out that Macron's office was asked about partnering with Saudi Arabia despite criticisms of the nation's human rights record.

The office as per reports stated, “At no point, when we attract a project, do we seek to lecture others.” The question came amid backlash from three journalists' unions protesting the hosting of bin Salman over the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. As of press time, no construction dates or opening dates for the theme parks have been disclosed.

Sources: Emmanuel Macron's X/Twitter account (link 2), BBC, The Japan Times, Breaking Travel News

For now, fans have plenty to discuss, and the industry has plenty to analyse. TeraMovies will be tracking every twist in this story as it unfolds, bringing you the full picture from the world of entertainment.