Universal Studios Japan (USJ) Discussion Thread

[Garet]

It's interesting that unlike Orlando (I Think) both the harry potter rides have been added to the express pass here and allow you to skip over the timed entry to the area although at the expense of other rides which have all been downgraded so you have to make more choices. http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ticket/express_pass_7.html http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ticket/express_pass_5.html

 

I wonder how early they'll sell out now, anyone know how you can book them in advance? I was thinking of going on a long weekend but on my last visit the express passes sold out so early and I think Harry Potter will speed that up even more, my Korean co-workers have always managed to get express tickets 7 or 5's booked a month before they go through an agency but the website tells me they are park only and seems to give me websites that give harry potter entry but not express passes.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/10/18-1/universal-studios-japan-to-debut-new-evangelion-attraction

 

Universal Studios Japan has announced via its official website that 2015 will be a big year for Evangelion fans. It appears that on January 23, 2015 the park will be opening up a brand new attraction based off of Neon Genesis Evangelion -- but there are no details as to what, exactly.

 

According to the announcement, the attraction will run from January 23 until May 10, 2015, which will feature 3D imagery, with the world of Evangelion being shown in "overwhelming quality."

 

Maybe it's a ride through the city and a fight with Angels aboard your very own Eva! Or maybe it's some kind of interactive ride where visitors are seated? In any case, we'll learn more about it come this month, where Universal Studios Japan is slated to provide more details on the upcoming ride.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

If it only runs for 5 months, I would doubt it's going to be a ride.

[tarheel1231]

Awesome!

 

I used to watch a lot of anime, and Evangelion was one I really wanted to see.

[Jew]

If it only runs for 5 months, I would doubt it's going to be a ride.

 

A replacement for their 3D theater shows???

[jedimaster1227]

^That's what I figured. Likely in the Sesame Street theater, right?

[Garet]

Hasn't Universal hosted a few exhibition style things somewhere else on site that isn't the 3D theater? Didn't they host some one piece stuff that had toured Japan?

 

Just a theory but I wonder if the Evangelion exhibit that's been sitting in Fuji Q could be getting a new place for more people to see it or a similar exhibit to this could be temporarily going in. They also referred to 3D a lot in it's description when I was there, but they were talking about seeing 3D models of things from the anime. It's also briefly mentioned as the first 3D life sized model on the website still: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/attraction/eva.html

 

I have a few pictures, I'd wondered in to escape the lines for a while but I had no idea what I was looking at but a lot of young Japanese boys were very excited about bits of it. This gigantic robot head thing sticking out of a wall seemed to be most popular, there were a ton of people there so I didn't get a picture of it.

 

Again I wasn't a fan so I didn't photo a lot of the exhibit and anime stuff but I took a few pictures of bits they advertised this is what they had at Fuji.

This things head blown up to full scale elsewhere in the exhibit was extremely popular.

Different smaller head

[p-sychiatrist]

Anyone else excited about the new attractions that just opened up here? As a big fan of Attack on Titan, I'm loving the sculptures they've made of the main characters. There is so much detail in them (although Armin is admittedly very creepy looking). Also the Evangelion 4D Experience sounds like an awesome attraction. From the perspective of an anime fan, both of these shows are huge but unfortunately not part of mainstream Western culture so I doubt anything similar will make it over to Florida or California (But I can dream...)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Pics and video from: www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/01/22/video-universal-studios-japan-opens-attack-on-titan-and-evangelion-attractions?src=animeplanetfb)

[Nrthwnd]

From Screamscape.com ....

 

In an interesting development, a reader sends us a picture from Universal Studios Japan where a new mysterious Minion themed construction wall has been set up around the Back To The Future gift shop, which closed down a couple of days ago. I've been wondering if Minions might invade Japan sooner than later. Stay tuned.

Millions of Minions in USJ, in the future?

[Garet]

From Screamscape.com ....

 

In an interesting development, a reader sends us a picture from Universal Studios Japan where a new mysterious Minion themed construction wall has been set up around the Back To The Future gift shop, which closed down a couple of days ago. I've been wondering if Minions might invade Japan sooner than later. Stay tuned.

 

Damn, the shop has already gone? I hope everyone already bought their Mr Fusion underwear.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Garet

[Nrthwnd]

Too - much - stuff!

[azza29]

I'm looking forward to riding Back to the Future in June, hopefully it stays open that long! Stupid minions...

[larrygator]

Hasn't Universal hosted a few exhibition style things somewhere else on site that isn't the 3D theater? Didn't they host some one piece stuff that had toured Japan?

 

Just a theory but I wonder if the Evangelion exhibit that's been sitting in Fuji Q could be getting a new place for more people to see it or a similar exhibit to this could be temporarily going in. They also referred to 3D a lot in it's description when I was there, but they were talking about seeing 3D models of things from the anime. It's also briefly mentioned as the first 3D life sized model on the website still: https://www.fujiq.jp/en/attraction/eva.html.

 

The first thing I thought of when hearing this was the exhibit at FujiQ

[Evan-500]

Probably been discussed but can't find it anywhere... How is Forbidden Journey different at USJ as opposed to IoA?

[Garet]

Probably been discussed but can't find it anywhere... How is Forbidden Journey different at USJ as opposed to IoA?

 

I think some-one said better quality projectors, it's still 2D though. It also has a fast-pass line, but i've heard of them selling out an hour before the park opens since the fast-pass was the only way to avoid having to queue up for a timed entry ticket to the Harry Potter part, although that might have calmed down now Harry Potter land has been open a while.

[robbalvey]

I'm looking forward to riding Back to the Future in June, hopefully it stays open that long!

From what it appears on the Universal Studios Japan website, it doesn't look like Back to the Future is going away, but they are changing the BTTF shop into a Minions quick-serve restaurant and retail shop including in a whole Minions themed area. It's totally possible that eventually a Minions ride could take over BTTF's spot, but it doesn't look like that's what is happening at the moment.

 

Note that most of that BTTF merchandise that you see in the pictures on the previous page I also saw in other parts of the park, so you should still be able to get most of it at USJ.

 

http://www.usj.co.jp/minions/index.html

 

http://www.usj.co.jp/minions/minion-food.html

 

http://www.usj.co.jp/minions/minion-goods.html

Edited May 6, 2015 by robbalvey

[Nrthwnd]

As usual, the Japanese (Minions) food/snacks and merchandise looks awesome!

 

 

"Minion Happy Kitchen." Love it.

[cfc]

This is an interesting development. Did they finally sell off all that Back to the Future underwear?

 

[robbalvey]

^ Totally gonna buy more of those if they still have it when we go in 5 weeks!

[Garet]

Even if the Back to the Future merchandise has gone, I think I could easily spend half my life savings on the other random things in the park, perhaps even just in the Jaws store alone.

[Jew]

Be weary of those mini lego figures. They are such a pain to put together! But I still want them all.

[kidcoaster 2]

Interesting this is directly infront of BttF. I think it is even more obvious what will replace BttF when they decide to pull the plug.

[805Andrew]

I wonder what flavors of popcorn the popcorn cart will have.

[Garet]

I wonder what flavors of popcorn the popcorn cart will have.

 

Banana?

[805Andrew]

I wonder what flavors of popcorn the popcorn cart will have.

 

Banana?

I hope not. I'm not crazy about banana flavored things expect for banana shakes. If they are going with a sweet "yellow" flavor I'd much rather have lemon.