A special press preview and opening ceremony was held at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in the run up to the park’s Universal Cool Japan 2019 event.
Universal Cool Japan is an annual event held at USJ where Japanese entertainment brands and companies who promote Japan’s “cool” culture to the world come together and turn the worlds they create into attractions. This year’s event will see attractions from “6 big franchises” including the first ever Lupin the Third attraction as well as Detective Conan, Attack on Titan, Godzilla, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Sailor Moon. A total of eight attractions have arrived, the most in the event’s history.
The opening ceremony was held at USJ’s 4D cinema theatre in the park’s Hollywood area. Japanese actor Yukiyoshi Ozawa, who has played roles in both the Japanese and Hollywood film industry, appeared as a special guest. The event was attended by a small selection of just 100 fans of the entertainment franchises introduced to this year’s Universal Cool Japan.
When Yukiyoshi Ozawa stepped onto the dark stage donning a very stylish outfit, the crowd erupted with surprise and a flurry of cheers. When asked about struggles that have been important to him, the San Francisco-born actor responded: “When I was accepted for the Hollywood film audition, I was trembling with excitement. I thought to myself, ‘This will help me grow, and I will be able to express myself to the world.’ On the first day of shooting [the Hollywood film], I was so nervous I was shaking, but when the first day ended, I realised that the entire system for shooting films was all the same, the only difference being whether it’s in English or Japanese. That relieved my tension and I was able to concentrate on the film shoot thereafter. You only have to step outside to see, but I think that more and more of the wonderful brands and works of Japan want to be received well around the world, and I believe that Universal Studios Japan is making that big chance possible.”
Dramatic music played as gigantic visuals of Attack on Titan, Godzilla, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Salior Moon appeared. Ozawa spoke of his experience seeing three 4D attractions that are running for the event for a limited time, praising their high quality.
©2019 Gosho Aoyama / “Detective Conan” Production Committee ©Monkey Punch / ＴＭＳ・ＮＴＶ ©Hajime Isayama・Kodansha / “Attack on Titan Production Committee TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. ©Color ©Naoko Takeuchi Sisyu TM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.© SCRAP All rights reserved.
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Universal Studios Japan Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/e/
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Collection
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Where to Buy: Universal Studios Japan, Studio Style
Available: June 24 – June 30, 2022
*Items only available while supplies last.
Available Online starting July 1Available at Universal Studios Hollywood starting June 17