The transformation is anchored by the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification initiative led by Mohammed bin Salman.
From Religious Fatwa to National Strategic Policy
In March 2001, the highest religious authorities in Saudi Arabia, led by the country’s mufti, issued a formal fatwa against the Pokémon franchise. The religious decree targeted trading cards and merchandise, arguing that the cards promoted gambling—which is prohibited under Islamic law—and featured symbols allegedly linked to Zionism or Freemasonry. Clerics also contended that the creatures’ evolutionary mechanics mirrored Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution rather than divine creation, and claimed that the associated wagering corrupted the minds of young people.
The ban resurfaced in July 2016 during the worldwide release of the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon GO, when Saudi religious authorities reiterated the 2001 edict to warn citizens against playing. Over the next decade, however, national economic priorities superseded past religious restrictions under the banner of Vision 2030, a sweeping state program designed to reduce Saudi Arabia’s financial reliance on oil revenue by cultivating tourism, entertainment, and the creative industries.
Economic Diversification and the Attraction of Japanese IP
Julien Bouvard, a senior lecturer in Japanese studies at Jean Moulin Lyon III University, notes that Japan’s highly developed animation, manga, and video game industries provided precisely the commercial ecosystem Riyadh needed to fuel its entertainment ambitions. Rather than viewing foreign franchises through a purely ideological lens, state planners identified intellectual property as an essential vehicle for global soft power and domestic economic stimulus.
The kingdom began hosting large-scale pop culture conventions known as Saudi Anime Expo, which are the largest gatherings of their kind in the Middle East. This steady buildup culminated in March 2024—subsequently expanded through ongoing infrastructural developments—when Saudi officials announced plans to construct the world’s first Dragon Ball Z theme park inside Qiddiya, a massive entertainment and leisure city currently under development.
Licensing Complexities and the European Expansion Strategy
The commercial ambitions of Saudi investors expanded to Europe when high-profile discussions surfaced regarding potential entertainment developments abroad. Yet cultural analysts emphasize that acquiring and deploying iconic Japanese intellectual property presents significant legal and logistical hurdles. Japanese copyright law is protective, requiring rigorous approvals from myriad corporate stakeholders.
Following the death of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama in 2024, the rights to his extensive catalog remain partitioned among multiple entities, including Toei Animation, Shueisha, Bird Studio, and Bandai Namco. Because Japanese licensors maintain strict oversight regarding character designs, color palettes, and brand representation, industry specialists note that international negotiations can take years to finalize.
Despite these complex licensing structures, European markets remain fertile ground for Japanese animation and comic art. France stands as the second-largest manga market globally, trailing only Japan, and hosts major industry conventions such as Japan Expo. Cultural analysts point out that successful precedents—such as the Naruto attraction at Parc Spirou near Avignon—demonstrate strong consumer demand across Western Europe, positioning these franchises as high-yield assets for international leisure investments.
Building Domestic Production Capabilities
Beyond importing established foreign brands, Saudi Arabia’s state-backed entities are working to build autonomous creative output. Manga Productions, a state company directly overseen and funded by Mohammed bin Salman, operates across animation, comics, video games, and intellectual property development. The organization’s stated long-term objective extends beyond merely licensing titles like Naruto or Dragon Ball; the Riyadh-backed studio aims to foster local talent capable of producing original narratives rooted in contemporary Arab and Saudi cultural heritage.
