In an effort to ensure the safety and protect the health of guests and staff, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) introduced strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on June 8, 2020, such as limiting the number of people who could enter the park each day and enforcing thorough cleaning routines. This enabled the park to reopen after its temporary closure. It has since been able to deliver its scope of fun and excitement to guests, albeit in a more structured way.

USJ wants to make wearing masks more fun too, and so it is releasing a range of character-inspired face masks, such as Snoopy, Elmo and the Cookie Monster, on August 7. Part of the money made from sales of these masks will be donated to the USJ Wonder Kids Program which helps support children in need.

Universal Studios Japan original design masks

The masks’ unique designs take the mouths of each character. These can be worn together with each respective characters’ headband which are also sold at USJ. Designs include Elmo, Cookie Monster, Snoopy, Tim, Jurassic Park, and Jaws.

Photos provided by Universal Studios Japan.
HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s20)
Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2020 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
TM & © 2020 Universal Studios.
© 2020 Peanuts
© ’76, ’20 SANRIO
© 2020 Sesame Workshop
TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
TM & © Universal Studios.
TM Universal Studios.

To promote the upcoming 3D CG anime film Stand By Me Doraemon 2, USJ is opening its second-ever Doraemon themed XR ride on August 4 which will run until January 6, 2021.

Doraemon fans will be able to get their hands on a whole range of exclusive merchandise as well as tuck into themed food.

STAND BY ME Doraemon 2 XR Ride

The Stand By Me Doraemon 2 XR Ride will be a high-speed sensory explosion that makes use of VR technology to send riders on a VR coaster time travel experience through the past, present, and future. The ride will feature a completely original story that ties into the upcoming movie. Park guests will board the Time Coaster to travel through time and chase after Nobita-kun.

Doraemon Plate Set | ¥2,100 (Tax Included)

A special food menu inspired by the new movie will be served from August 4 for a limited time. The “Doraemon Plate Set” will have you salivating for the roast chicken topped with a demi-glace sauce and mushroom sauce and surrounded with a bed of vegetables and potato wedges. The plate is also appropriately topped with characters from the movie.

Doraemon Kid’s Set | ¥1,200 (Tax Included)

Doraemon’s Pass Loop Cake | ¥800 (Tax Included)

The Doraemon Kid’s Set features nods to the robot cat’s secret gadgets, like the Take-copter and Time Cloth, while the adorable Pass Loop Cake is inspired by Doraemon’s Pass Loop.

Popcorn Bucket | ¥3,800 (Tax Included)

The Popcorn Bucket is fun to look at and even better to eat from, featuring a special Anywhere Door mechanic. Dorayaki is Doraemon’s favourite food, and guests can enjoy dorayaki flavoured popcorn.

Doraemon Dango | ¥650 (Tax Included)

Doraemon Frozen | ¥900 (Tax Included)

Guests can also get their hands on a range of drinks and desserts too.

T-Shirts (Navy/White) | Folder Set | Mug
Sold At: Space Fantasy Station

A range of Doraemon merchandise will also roll out from August 28, including ticket holders, key rings, plush toys, and more. Pre-orders are available at Space Fantasy Station from August 4 to 27.

Follow Doraemon on an exciting journey on the STAND BY ME Doraemon 2 XR Ride!

©Fujiko Pro/2020 STAND BY ME Doraemon 2 Film Partners

To promote the 50th anniversary anime film Doraemon: Nobita’s New Dinosaur, which is set for release in Japan on August 14, 2020, Doraemon himself is making appearances right now at Jurassic Park in Universal Studios Japan until July 22, 2020. Additionally, in promotion of the upcoming 3D CG anime film Stand By Me Doraemon 2, USJ is opening its second-ever Doraemon themed XR ride on August 4 which will run until January 6, 2021.

It will be a fast-paced Stand By Me Doraemon 2 themed XR ride and sensory explosion that makes use of VR technology to send riders on a VR coaster time travel experience through the past, present, and future.

Stand By Me Doraemon was released in 2014 as the first 3D CG animated Doraemon film and was a huge hit for the quality of its animation and moving story. The staff have returned to work on its sequel, Stand By Me Doraemon 2, including writers and directors Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi. The XR ride will feature an original story that is connected to the sequel film which itself will be based on the Doraemon short film Doraemon: A Grandmother’s Recollections.

©Fujiko Pro/2020 STAND BY ME Doraemon 2 Film Partners

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) reopened on June 19, 2020 after temporary closure as a result of COVID-19. The park is now running with strict measures in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, including practicing the 2m social distancing rule, making it mandatory to wear face masks, and so on. The park has posted a full video demonstration of the rules on their official website.

That means summertime is set to shine on USJ once again this year. The new ‘Universal Summer Parade: We are One’ event will begin on July 23 as the first parade held by the park since its reopening. Guests will be able to enjoy a fun and exciting summer at USJ with all the necessary precautions in place to ensure their safety.

Many familiar faces will gather at USJ to celebrate summer with guests, including the Minions, Elmo, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and more. Each of them will board colourful floats for the parade during the parade, which will open with the fittingly-titled “Opening Float” followed by a flurry of unique floats like the flashy “Latin Float,” cute European-inspired “Europe Float,” the mysterious “Indian Float,” and the finale “America Float,” amongst many others. There will be music to entertain guests for laughs, smiles, and fun energy while characters and entertainers ride the floats and serve summertime vibes.

The peak moment of the parade will be when confetti rains down on guests in huge quantities. Flags can also be bought for the parade for the first time in this year. Performers and the park characters will be able to entertain guests at a distance while still connecting with them through the fun performances. A special “social distance” performance created in cooperation with the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education will also be part of the parade. This year’s parade plans to have guests dancing and smiling even more than previous years to lift some of that stress away and give them the fight and energy to continue into tomorrow.

Universal Summer Parade: We Are One

Put your hands into the air as the sun beats down and the floats arrive to a lively rhythm. ‘We are One’ is the catchphrase, so get your boogie on and explode with excitement together with the entertainers and park characters for a heated summer parade!

Running: July 23, 2020 – August 27, 2020

Location: Parade Route

Time: One per day from 11:00am (approx 40 mins) 

Buy yourself a parade flag for ¥500 and wave it around to the beat of the festival!

Cool yourself off with some summer merch

Get your hands on some merch for cooling off, including the must-have summer “Handy Fan,” a “UV Poncho” which keeps you cool in the heat of the sun, a classic “Sensu” folding fan, and more.

Feel the Japanese festivities with the Universal Market

The Universal Market will give that Japanese ‘matsuri’ festival vibe. Enjoy some cool desserts, spicy food, and more.

Left: Super Hot! Turkey Leg ¥1,000 / Centre: Peach Jelly Soda: ¥650 / Right: Frappe Sundae ~Strawberry & Blue Hawaii~ ¥750

Since guest safety is the number one priority this summer, the park will not be holding its famous splash performance where guests are soaked with water by water shooters.

Additionally, the parade will also not stop in any of the usual designated places and will instead keep on moving, meaning the parade can be enjoyed from anywhere along the parade route. Guests will be able to keep plenty of distance from others as they watch the parade.

The park also released a statement on its ‘enhanced sanitation in park operations’ on its official website so you can find out more about what USJ is doing to tackle the COVID-19 spread.

If you’re in Osaka this year, you can still enjoy summer at Universal Studios Japan with all the necessary precautions in place.

The first trailer for the highly-anticipated season four of Attack on Titan is finally here along with a new key visual. With the animation efforts moved to MAPPA, the new staff have also been revealed including Yuichiro Hayashi as the final season’s director.

The following five statements were released from staff alongside the new trailer, including from Attack on Titan author Hajime Isayama, the final season director Yuichiro Hayashi, the season one director and seasons 2-3 chief director Tetsurō Araki, MAPPA’s CEO Manabu Otsuka, and WIT STUDIO’s CEO George Wada. All comments translated from Japanese by MMN.

Hajime Isayama (Author, Writer and Illustrator, Attack on Titan)

“With this, the entirety of Attack on Titan has been adapted into anime. For that, I give my heartfelt thanks to all of the readers who have supported the series up to now. The manga has been serialised more than 10 years, so we’ve been together for quite some time now. To director [Tetsurō] Araki, WIT STUDIO, everyone in the Storyboard Corps, and everybody else, I would like to thank you for giving me so many happy memories—so many I could die! I would like to continue making more amazing memories together with director [Yuichiro] Hayashi and everyone at MAPPA for the continuation of the Attack on Titan anime!”

Yuichiro Hayashi (Director, Attack on Titan: The Final Season)

“I have been given the responsibility of director for the final season. My heart has been pounding since we’re in the middle of a battle in the anime, and because this is such a huge series. We’ve kindly received full cooperation from everyone at WIT as well as director [Tetsurō] Araki. They have set everything up for us up this point. The quality of the series up to now is thanks to them. The staff have poured blood and sweat into their work. We will continue that as much as possible, and put our utmost best into what we do. So please look forward to the final season of Attack on Titan!!”

Tetsurō Araki (Director, Attack on Titan Season 1 / Chief Director, Attack on Titan Seasons 2-3)

“Our beloved anime series Attack on Titan will continue with an incredible battle formation formed of MAPPA and director Yuichiro Hayashi. We’ve been mutually exchanging information with them and holding meetings for quite a long time now. I’m positive they will piece this out, no doubt about it. We are also really looking forward to seeing the continuation of Eren and everybody else’s journey!”

Manabu Otsuka (CEO, MAPPA)

“Attack on Titan is a series loved by countless fans. It will continue with a great studio, and a team of outstanding creators. I feel motivated at the fact that the studio will be part of the series’s final season. I look forward to us freely forging the final battle.”

George Wada (CEO, WIT STUDIO)

“The final season of Attack on Titan has finally been announced!! It has taken a long time for us to prepare for this, but first and foremost, I’m extremely happy that we have arrived at this point. We laid the foundations for the greatest manga ever, and the greatest team ever will be adapting the final season. I have nothing but high hopes. To all of you out there, please look forward to it!!”

The final chapter of Attack on Titan is nearly upon us. It seems only yesterday that the first season aired and took the world by storm.

In the lead up to the final season, a movie entitled Attack on Titan: Chronicle has also been announced. Releasing on July 17, 2020, it will cover everything in the first three seasons of the anime series.

Attack on Titan: Chronicle Trailer

Attack on Titan: The Final Season Trailer

©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」The Final Season製作委員会

©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」製作委員会

NAZO x NAZO Gekidan, a company in Japan that creates and produces interactive, real-life puzzle solving games, has made a new limited-time Attack on Titan themed game to be played from the comfort of your own home.

The Story

There is yet another mystery on our hands at the ancient ruins of Joypolis. We, the Survey Corps, have discovered new material from the relics we brought back that unravel the history surrounding those ancient ruins. You must put your heads together with your comrades with Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Hange, and Levi, and solve the mystery of the ruins!

Tickets for the game are available via NAZO x NAZO Gekidan’s official website, and participants get a free folder as pictured aboveーa must grab collector’s item for fans of Attack on Titan. The game can be played on smartphones, and has both easy and challenging sections to it.

©Hajime Isayama・Kodansha / “Attack on Titan” Production Committee

Japanese business apparel brand SMARTBIZ is teaming up with the action-RPG Monster Hunter World: Iceborne to release an original series of shirts and neckties.

Neckties: 12 Designs

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Neckties – ¥1,900 Each (Before Tax)

The collection of 12 ties to have you looking smart with their striped designs. Each features various motifs from the game such as monsters from the Monster Hunter bestiary, like Velkhana and Zinogre, as well as the weapon icon, and more, all of which are woven into nonchalant designs perfect for smart and business settings. The ties can also be washed in the washing machineーperfect for those hunters out there looking to clean up after a long day of hunting.

Shirts: 4 Designs

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Shirts – ¥3,990 Each (Before Tax)

The shirts are made from comfortable and stretchy knit fabric which make them great for wearing for long periods of time.

Monster Hunter symbols are hidden inside the collars and cuff so you can still feel like a Hunter in a professional setting while looking the part. The shirts also don’t lose their shape so easily, so you don’t have to iron them after washing. But you do need to put them in a washing net before placing into the washing machine.

©CAPCOM CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Iceborne expansion for Capcom’s Monster Hunter World, which is available on the PlayStation®4 and Xbox One, and PC, has shipped over 5 million copies worldwide, both disc and download sales combined.

Monster Hunter is a fantasy action RPG video game series that pits players against monsters in large open fields. The first game launched back in 2004 and established a completely new kind of co-op play style which allowed players to fight great beasts online with their friends. The series as a whole has sold over 62 million copies worldwide (as of March 13, 2020).

Monster Hunter World launched last year for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. Thanks to its continuous updates since release, free weapons and equipment useful for clearing stories, and more, the game has built up a dedicated playerbase resulting int he game having shipped over 15 million copies worldwide (as of January 2, 2020).

The Iceborne expansion dropped on consoles in September 2019 and on PC in January this year. It takes place after the events of World and continues the story. Players can discover new monsters as well as come across familiar favourites. The expansion received high praise from online reviewers upon its release, helping Monster Hunter to win three awards at the PlayStation® Awards 2019, including the PlayStation™ Network Award.

Monster Hunter Riders was revealed at the end of January this year and released in Japan on February 19, 2020 for iOS and Android devices as a free-to-play title. It has garnered over 3 million downloads so far.

A Hollywood live-action film for Monster Hunter will be released in the US on September 4, 2020.

Skincare brand ALFACE+ is teaming up with Detective Conan (Case Closed) to release a line of cosmetic products on April 1, 2020.

Face Mask Conan & Haibara “Diamond Moisture” (Moisture) –  ¥300 for 1 / ¥1,500 for Box of 5 (Tax not included in both prices)

This is the second face mask collaboration with ALFACE+. Four masks are available: the Conan and Haibara “Diamond Moisture (Moisture),” the Shinichi and Ran “Tropical Love (Firm Skin),” the Heiji and Kazuha “Botanical Amulet (Brightening Skin),” and the Bourbon and Vermouth “Golden Black (Clearing).”

Shinichi & Ran “Tropical Love” (Firm Skin) –  ¥300 for 1 / ¥1,500 for Box of 5 (Tax not included in both prices)

The Shinichi & Ran and Heiji & Kazuha face masks have cute marks of the characters on the cheeks. The Conan & Haibara face mask is black coloured while the Bourbon & Vermouth mask is black from the charcoal in it to represent the Black Organisation. All boxes of 5 face masks are coupled randomly with one of 8 possible stickers.

Hand Cream (Conan Model) – ¥580 (Before Tax)

Lipstick (Conan Model) – ¥580 (Before Tax)

The hand creams and lipsticks have simple and stylish designs with references to each respective character. All the items in this series aren’t just for showーthey are high quality and work as you would expect from a skincare brand.

Keep your face, hands and lips moisturised with the new Detective Conan cosmetic series by ALFACE+.

©Gosho Aoyama / Shogakukan・Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation・TMS 1996

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is set to open at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in 2020ーthe year of the Tokyo Olympicsーas the world’s first theme park area centred on the world, games and video game characters from Nintendo. A whopping 60 billion yen has been injected to make the park a reality.

In promotion of the park, the “SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CHALLENGE” was held in New York, US on February 19.

Fans dashed to Grand Central Terminalーa tourist hot spotーwhere the event was held to play a game involving the iconic Question Blocks from the Mario video game franchise. The set-up, which brought to mind a Bonus Stage from the game, had people hitting the question blocks just like Marioーsomething which we all must have imagined doing before.

1,000 people participated in the event which they signed up to prior. It was a day of fun for not only players but onlookers too. Grand prize winners won trips to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, which is set to open before the Tokyo Olympic Games start, while all other participants got their hands on some exclusive SUPER NINTENDO WORLD merch early.

One participant said: “I love everything about Mario, so I knew I’d definitely be taking part today! I’ve loved Mario since I was a kid, I even had a plush toy of him. Mario really is exciting. I’ve always wanted to be Mario, so I’m really happy with how today turned out. I want to go to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with my best friend and try out all the attractions. I’m sure it’s gonna be a lot of fun!” (Male, 20 / Staten Island, New York) *Translated from Japanese

One of the grand prize winners said: “I’ve been a huge fan of Nintendo’s games since I was 3-years-old. I was lucky to get to take part in the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CHALLENGE today, but to go and win the grand prize is an amazing feeling! I’ll be going to Japan with my girlfriend who I love so much! I’m always paying attention to news about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. The Mario Kart attraction will definitely be a ride, I’m looking forward to it so much I just can’t wait! I always thought it would be great if they made a Mario theme park, so the fact they’re doing it in both Japan and even the US is amazing!” (Male, 20 / The Bronx, US) *Translated from Japanese

The Question Blocks also made an appearance in Times Square. The event was covered on the morning news in the US with fans visible at the event, Rockefeller Plaza, and elsewhere.

If you’re a Mario and Nintendo fan planning a trip to Japan then be sure you get to experience SUPER NINTENDO WORLD when it opens this year.

To celebrate the release of the upcoming Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet movie on April 17, 2020, twelve official themed cafes will roll out in nine cities across Japan from March 25 in Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, Saitama, Chiba, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Okinawa.

*Menu item names have been translated from Japanese

APTX4869 Beef Curry (Apoptoxin Curry) – ¥1,490

Young Detective’s Exciting Children’s Plate – ¥1,690

Ai Haibara’s Healthy Sweets Basket – ¥1,690

Conan’s Voice-Changing Butterfly Necktie Cream Soda – ¥890

An incredible line-up of 100 items will feature on the menu, from food to drinks, all inspired by the characters and actual dishes that appear in the franchise. The theme of the cafe is “A Home Party at Hiroshi Agasa’s House”ーhim being of course the next door neighbour of the titular protagonist.

Acrylic Badges (8 Designs/Randomly Chosen) – ¥520

Mugs – ¥1,800

Jump into the world of Detective Conan and uncover every secret of Detective Conan Cafe 2020.

©Gosho Aoyama/Shogakukan・Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation・TMS 1996

Last autumn, Universal Studios Japan released a video showcasing youngsters in enjoying their youth in the park, and it blew up on Japanese social media. The park released a new version of the video online on January, and it will hit television in the Kansai area on February 1.

The video’s theme is “Youth is a moment; youth is infinite.” We see five NMB48 membersーCocona Umeyama, Rei Jōnishi, Suzu Yamada, Ayaka Yamamoto, and Haasa Minamiーenjoying themselves in their private time at USJ. They play the part of five friends about to graduate from high school, and like them, the lighthearted nature of the video makes you want to make some memories at the park with your friends too.

The video is saying to all young people that they hope they can make special memories at USJ, deepen their bonds with their friends, and continue their friendships after graduating.

We get to see the five NMB48 members enjoying the park to the fullest, wearing park merchandise like their cute headbands and pouches, riding the attractions with smiles on the face, snapping photos, and eating food. The song that plays during the video is LILLY by Osaka-born three-piece rock band Hump Back.

USJ is set to hold numerous campaigns for students entering the park, beginning in February, including student discounts.