'Attack on Titan' and 'Evangelion' coming to Universal Studios Japan

Running Universal Studios Japan has to be a pretty tough job, since it’s never quite been able to step out from the shadow of Japan’s theme park juggernauts, Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. You have to figure part of that stems from Universal’s weaker portfolio of beloved characters and settings. Whereas a trip to the Disney parks means a chance to rub elbows with the cast of "Aladdin," "Toy Story" and "The Little Mermaid," visitors to USJ have had to settle for "Jaws," "Water World" and "Backdraft."

But Universal Studios Japan has a new plan that involves not minding the first two-thirds of its name, but that last word, as the park is planning to add new attractions based on "Attack on Titan," "Evangelion" and other hit franchises from Japan.

When USJ first opened in Osaka back in 2001, it seemed to be off to a good start. The intense media focus and being the most premium theme park in the Kansai region meant a steady stream of visitors.

Once the initial excitement died down, though, USJ realized it was having problems luring people back for a repeat visit. The opening last month of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area, something Universal’s original theme park in California doesn’t even have yet, is giving USJ’s attendance numbers a shot in the arm, but that doesn’t mean the park’s managers are resting on their laurels.

According to a report by the Nikkei, on Jan 23, USJ plans to open a series of new attractions collectively called Universal Cool Japan, drawing from the imaginative worlds of Japanese anime, manga, and video games. Universal Cool Japan will use props and replicas to recreate the settings and characters of some of the biggest hits from the fields of Japanese animation and digital entertainment. USJ also plans to give visitors the opportunity to participate in escape games, the puzzle-based challenges that are growing in popularity in Japan, set within those worlds.

Two delegates will be representing the world of anime: manga artist Hajime Isayama’s giant-slaying/all-endorsing "Attack on Titan," and director Hideaki Anno’s giant robot slugfest/clinical depression study "Evangelion."

On the video game side, USJ will showcase two long-running hits from publisher Capcom, "Biohazard" (known internationally as "Resident Evil") and "Monster Hunter." While both series have had displays at the park before, USJ is promising updated looks for the Universal Cool Japan project.

While this is all exciting news for otaku and gamers alike, the announcement does have one downside.

The attractions are only scheduled to run for a limited time. "Attack on Titan" fans, you’ve got until May 10 of 2015 before Universal Cool Japan shuts down.

Sources: Nikkei. Universal Studios Japan

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