Theme park reveals plans for new land based on world’s most popular kids TV show and it’s the first in Europe
A NEW theme park land based on the world’s most popular kids TV show is set to open in France.
A first for Europe, Parc Spirou Provence has revealed plans for a Naruto attraction.
The series, originally a manga (Japanese comic book) was created by Masahi Kishimoto in 1999, before becoming a cartoon in 2002.
The Japanese anime show was found to be the most watched kids show in 83 countries, following a study by The ToyZone.
And the 15,000m² attraction will be an immersive experience based on the anime’s village of Konoha.
Working with Japanese designers, attractions and characters will be part of the land although more is to be revealed.
It hopes to open by 2026.
It will be the first Naruto theme park land in Europe, with the others all in Japan.
The theme park manager Hervé Lux said, “It is a great joy and an honor for us to bring the Naruto universe to life at Parc Spirou.
“We have been working on this incredible expansion for 4 years now.
“Led hand in hand between the Park, Mediatoon Licensing, and our Japanese partners Shueisha, Studio Pierrot, and TV Tokyo, this project will allow us to offer visitors the most immersive experience possible for a theme park.”
Parc Spirou Provence first opened in 2018, with three rollercoasters and themed lands.
Based on the French-Belgian comic book Spirou & Fantasio, other themed attractions at the park also include The Smurfs.
Hoping to welcome 450,000 guests next year, earlier this summer it took over the nearby Wave Island waterpark.
And Naruto is not the only Japanese anime coming to major theme parks.
Universal Hollywood confirmed that experiences based on other popular shows such as One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen will launch from April to May this year.
Or you can visit Nördlingen in Germany – a town thought to have inspired the manga Attack on Titans.
But if you find yourself in Japan, you can go to the world’s largest anime theme park, Nijigen no Mori.
The park has everything from Naruto and Godzilla to smaller pop ups like Spy X Family.
Another theme park is opening in Europe, this time in Poland, with mermaid and viking themed lands at Hossoland.
In the mean time, we’ve founded up the best theme parks and attractions opening in the UK and Europe this year.
And here are five UK theme parks you’ve probably never heard of.