Universal Studios Japan General Discussion

[Jake S]

God bless anyone taking a trip to this park the next couple of years. A park that famously has long queues is going to be at the top of its game, line-wise, until some of these big projects are wrapped.

 

[Wesker69]

Welp. I'm whipped for the villain dude in white.

While it's no T23D, this looks like a fun replacement.

 

[BatCom]

God bless anyone taking a trip to this park the next couple of years. A park that famously has long queues is going to be at the top of its game, line-wise, until some of these big projects are wrapped.

I'm assuming all the current work is with the goal of getting the park in shape for the 2025 World Expo being held in Osaka (the Expo grounds are literally right next to USJ on Yumeshima in fact).

But that being said, if rumors are to be believed Spider-Man replacement still won't be ready by then.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

browsed through the Universal parks ymmv page on tvtropes out of boredom and found this statement:

“Going by the translated comments on this video, there is some division among Universal fans in Japan over how Universal Studios Japan is now very strongly focused on animated properties instead of Hollywood movies like it once was. Some fans hate that the park has abandoned its original mission statement, while other fans feel that it was naturally the direction the park had to take, as Universal's movies have an extremely varying degree of popularity in Japan, whereas things like Hello Kitty, Peanuts, and the Cool Japan event properties are mega-popular in the country.”

As someone who doesn’t live in Japan, Is there really a division between the fan base from Japan’s side or is this just conjecture?

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

browsed through the Universal parks ymmv page on tvtropes out of boredom and found this statement:

“Going by the translated comments on this video, there is some division among Universal fans in Japan over how Universal Studios Japan is now very strongly focused on animated properties instead of Hollywood movies like it once was. Some fans hate that the park has abandoned its original mission statement, while other fans feel that it was naturally the direction the park had to take, as Universal's movies have an extremely varying degree of popularity in Japan, whereas things like Hello Kitty, Peanuts, and the Cool Japan event properties are mega-popular in the country.”

As someone who doesn’t live in Japan, Is there really a division between the fan base from Japan’s side or is this just conjecture?

I think these people would find many allies on the Inside Universal forums.

 

[Wesker69]

I'm in the "Bring the anime (and Resident Evil) content to the U.S. parks!!" camp.. lol

 

[pumpkinbot343]

I'm in the "Bring the anime (and Resident Evil) content to the U.S. parks!!" camp.. lol

i remember there being an thread discussing just that on this forum

 

[Clive]

So wait, what was that Backdraft thing about? Are they temporarily reopening it to help with capacity, or is this just a "here's some props" situation?

 

[sonoma15]

browsed through the Universal parks ymmv page on tvtropes out of boredom and found this statement:

“Going by the translated comments on this video, there is some division among Universal fans in Japan over how Universal Studios Japan is now very strongly focused on animated properties instead of Hollywood movies like it once was. Some fans hate that the park has abandoned its original mission statement, while other fans feel that it was naturally the direction the park had to take, as Universal's movies have an extremely varying degree of popularity in Japan, whereas things like Hello Kitty, Peanuts, and the Cool Japan event properties are mega-popular in the country.”

As someone who doesn’t live in Japan, Is there really a division between the fan base from Japan’s side or is this just conjecture?

From what I've gathered from reading some Japanese fans thoughts on USJ on Twitter and Youtube, yes, there is a division between USJ fans and a lot of them want the park to focus on American properties. I don't think that'll happen though, it's pretty obvious where the future of the park is headed.

 

[Wesker69]

Japan wants what we have, we want what Japan has... its the great circle of nobody is ever happy with what they got (or don't have) lol

 

[BatCom]

browsed through the Universal parks ymmv page on tvtropes out of boredom and found this statement:

“Going by the translated comments on this video, there is some division among Universal fans in Japan over how Universal Studios Japan is now very strongly focused on animated properties instead of Hollywood movies like it once was. Some fans hate that the park has abandoned its original mission statement, while other fans feel that it was naturally the direction the park had to take, as Universal's movies have an extremely varying degree of popularity in Japan, whereas things like Hello Kitty, Peanuts, and the Cool Japan event properties are mega-popular in the country.”

As someone who doesn’t live in Japan, Is there really a division between the fan base from Japan’s side or is this just conjecture?

Online USJ fans? Sure, maybe.

Do you really think the general Japanese audience is complaining that USJ now focuses more on Japanese properties than Hollywood circa 2001?

The truth is that Western pop culture has been losing ground in Japan for at least a decade. Not just in film but in music too. There was a report out just yesterday that not a single Western artist made it into the 2023 top 100 streamed songs in Japan on Apple Music. Asian pop culture, including Korean and Japanese music, movies games etc. are what's trending in Japan. It's unsurprising that USJ is pivoting along with this.

So wait, what was that Backdraft thing about? Are they temporarily reopening it to help with capacity, or is this just a "here's some props" situation?

Just a prop photo op. They're already in the Backdraft building gutting it out.

 

[Wesker69]

Asian pop culture, including Korean and Japanese music, movies games etc. are what's trending in Japan.

Not just Japan!

 

[Viator]

So wait, what was that Backdraft thing about? Are they temporarily reopening it to help with capacity, or is this just a "here's some props" situation?

I think it’s the latter—as a “hey remember this?” element. Could’ve sworn aerials have shown them doing clearing for the queue.

 

[Jwhee]

They removed the “YUNIBA” fire dept. graphics that were on the Backdraft fire truck, returning it to its Chicago FD look for its final month on display

 

[BatCom]

This may or may not mean anything, but it was just posted on the USJ website that the main gift shop in Amity Village is closing permanently on May 6.

 

[Jake S]

This may or may not mean anything, but it was just posted on the USJ website that the main gift shop in Amity Village is closing permanently on May 6.

View attachment 21581

The best theme park merch we got in Japan was from this gift shop. I miss it already.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

This may or may not mean anything, but it was just posted on the USJ website that the main gift shop in Amity Village is closing permanently on May 6.

View attachment 21581

Is this a sign that Jaws is finally reaching the end or are they simply replacing it with another gift shop?

 

[mccgavin]

Is this a sign that Jaws is finally reaching the end or are they simply replacing it with another gift shop?

I think Jaws' days are numbered, but I don't see it closing until Spider-Man's replacement is completed.

 

[BatCom]

I think Jaws' days are numbered, but I don't see it closing until Spider-Man's replacement is completed.

Yeah I would be shocked if they closed yet another major attraction when so many others are already down.

Granted I said that before they announced the closure of Spider-Man too.

 

[quinnmac000]

Yeah I would be shocked if they closed yet another major attraction when so many others are already down.

Granted I said that before they announced the closure of Spider-Man too.

With the World Expo next year I would hope USJ leadership really isn't dumb because having a park with nothing open is going to tank their GSAT ratings unless they have some secret plan...

but thing again this is the same park that shut down their famously popular parade with no replacement and lower capacity right before golden week.