Europe’s Largest Animation Group Dargaud To Build Theme Parks in China
Dargaud Group, Europe’s largest animation group, announced on March 5 that it will accelerate growth in the Chinese market by developing theme parks. Shanghai Dragon Deity Group is Dargaud’s strategic partner in China. Over the next 5 years, the two sides will work together to develop and build five to six Dragon Deity International Village Projects in China.They aim to build Dragon Deity International Village as a brand integrating leisure and amusement, research and development, industrial development, and cultural exchanges.
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Dragon Deity Group is currently in close communication with relevant authorities to build China’s first Dargaud Theme Park and Dragon Deity International Village in Songjiang District, Shanghai.
With 80 years of history, Dargaud Group is Europe’s largest animation group. Regarded as the European Disney, it has more than 4,000 comic characters, 10,000 comic books, and 2,500 hours of animated video. Its annual revenue was $690 million (560 million euros).
Dargaud Group Chairman Vincent Montagne is a member of the Michelin family and the president of the French Publishing Association. Montagne said, “What distinguishes Dargaud Theme Park from others is that Dargaud is more high-tech, pays attention to family design, and has many popular anime images. These are a great attraction to tourists. In the next few years, the group will cooperate with China to develop the theme park, animation films and television, and copyright licensing and derivatives.”
The Dargaud Theme Park is divided into eight theme areas and 28 attractions. Its five theme areas are Ya Ghari, Leonard, Magic Martin, Valerian: the City of a Thousand Planets, and Sur la piste du Marsupilami.
At present, Disneyland and Hello Kitty have settled in the Chinese market by building cartoon themed parks. Happy Valley, Dinosaur Park and other theme park projects are also developing in China.
