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NEWS
Final Fantasy VR coaster headlines Universal Cool Japan 2018
POSTED 26 Jan 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The Final Fantasy attraction is a reformatting of Universal Japan’s Space Fantasy The Ride
Cool Japan is set to return to Universal Studios' Osaka theme park this year with a VR rollercoaster based on the Final Fantasy series.

Called Final Fantasy XR Ride, the big attraction is a reformatting of Universal Japan’s Space Fantasy The Ride – a spinning steel coaster designed by Mack Rides which has now been overlayed with virtual reality.



The highly successful Universal Cool Japan campaign, which is based on popular anime and videogame titles, debuted in 2015, and concludes this year on 24 June.

In addition to the new Final Fantasy attraction, other popular IPs to feature include Detective Conan, Monster Hunter and Sailor Moon.

This year’s event is split into two parts, with the first openings taking place on 19 January, and the second set starting 16 March.

Last year, Cool Japan contributed to an increase of about 200,000 visitors a month during its six-month run.
RELATED STORIES
  Pop-up attractions in London and LA to celebrate the art of Final Fantasy


A new pop-up experience opening in London and Los Angeles will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise from IP developer Square Enix.
  Godzilla to headline Universal Cool Japan 2017


Godzilla is going on the rampage in Japan again – this time at Universal Studios in January to tie in with the release of new Godzilla movie.
  Kyary Pamyu Pamyu added to reimagined Universal Cool Japan for 2016


Universal has announced that its Japanese theme park in Japan is bringing back its Universal Cool Japan attraction next year after a successful first run in 2015, including a new ride inspired by Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Crayon Shin-chan).
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
+ More news   
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Heritage Great Britain
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Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
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Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Final Fantasy VR coaster headlines Universal Cool Japan 2018
POSTED 26 Jan 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
The Final Fantasy attraction is a reformatting of Universal Japan’s Space Fantasy The Ride
Cool Japan is set to return to Universal Studios' Osaka theme park this year with a VR rollercoaster based on the Final Fantasy series.

Called Final Fantasy XR Ride, the big attraction is a reformatting of Universal Japan’s Space Fantasy The Ride – a spinning steel coaster designed by Mack Rides which has now been overlayed with virtual reality.



The highly successful Universal Cool Japan campaign, which is based on popular anime and videogame titles, debuted in 2015, and concludes this year on 24 June.

In addition to the new Final Fantasy attraction, other popular IPs to feature include Detective Conan, Monster Hunter and Sailor Moon.

This year’s event is split into two parts, with the first openings taking place on 19 January, and the second set starting 16 March.

Last year, Cool Japan contributed to an increase of about 200,000 visitors a month during its six-month run.
RELATED STORIES
Pop-up attractions in London and LA to celebrate the art of Final Fantasy


A new pop-up experience opening in London and Los Angeles will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise from IP developer Square Enix.
Godzilla to headline Universal Cool Japan 2017


Godzilla is going on the rampage in Japan again – this time at Universal Studios in January to tie in with the release of new Godzilla movie.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu added to reimagined Universal Cool Japan for 2016


Universal has announced that its Japanese theme park in Japan is bringing back its Universal Cool Japan attraction next year after a successful first run in 2015, including a new ride inspired by Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Crayon Shin-chan).
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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