Paris: Fans of Dragon Ball, the iconic Japanese manga series, are accustomed to characters merging in the heat of battle to magnify their skills and strength. Few would have anticipated France teaming up with Saudi Arabia to write a new chapter in one of the most successful media franchises of all time. As the gaming website Polygon put it, this is one pairing we didn't see coming. According to France24.com, the French presidency has announced plans to build three theme parks near Paris under a £6 billion ($7 billion) deal agreed with Saudi Arabia. The colossal development is expected to include a manga-themed park, which President Emmanuel Macron's entourage said would be inspired by the Dragon Ball franchise. Macron, who owns an original Dragon Ball drawing among other manga-related gifts, expressed his enthusiasm on social media, highlighting the investment as being unmatched since Disneyland Paris. The announcement followed a two-day state visit to France by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salm an, during which the two leaders attended the Esports World Cup final. An aide to Macron revealed that the project stemmed from a previous discussion between the two leaders about their shared passion for Japanese comics, particularly Dragon Ball. Valérie Pécresse, head of the Paris region, echoed the excitement in a video message, declaring that Son Goku would soon have his own theme park near Paris. Manga experts, however, have noted the absence of Japan's mention in the project, nor of the various Japanese companies holding licensing rights to the Dragon Ball saga. French media have suggested the new parks could be developed on the site of the former Mirapolis theme park. The project will be led by Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which had previously announced plans for a Dragon Ball theme park near Riyadh in collaboration with Japan's Toei Animation. The Paris theme park proposal has not yet secured any confirmation from Toei Animation, which suggests tha t the project is still in its nascent stages. Julien Bouvard, a manga expert, highlighted the complexity of negotiating licenses in Japan, where multiple companies hold rights to the Dragon Ball franchise. Issues related to licensing, along with previous challenges faced by Mirapolis, might pose hurdles for the new development. News of the French-Saudi plans has raised eyebrows in Japan, especially in Toriyama's hometown, where local officials expressed surprise at the lack of Japanese involvement. Sumio Nagata, mayor of Kiyosu, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage, while other local officials lamented the absence of a Dragon Ball park in Japan. Kazuhiko Torishima, an influential manga editor, criticized the focus on financial gain, warning that it undermines the essence of manga culture. France shares a deep passion for manga, being the world's second-largest market for it after Japan. Bouvard noted that the country's early adaptations of Dragon Ball have turned it into a cultural phen omenon, legitimizing it as a host for a manga-themed park. However, Saudi Arabia's interest in the project has been met with skepticism, with critics labeling it as an attempt to improve its global image amid scrutiny over its human rights record. Despite reservations about the Saudi involvement, Bouvard believes that success in the park's development could eventually win over fans. The project is seen as a challenging but potentially rewarding venture, offering a unique cultural collaboration between France, Saudi Arabia, and the world of Dragon Ball.