A giant Titan greets visitors to the "Attack on Titan" section at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
Enter the world of the horror anime “Attack on Titan” at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, but hurry because the attraction closes Aug. 28.
A giant Titan greets guests as they enter this section of the park. It is a tiny section, but for fans of the anime it’s a must see. There aren’t too many attractions so plan on spending three hours, tops.
The main attraction is the “Attack on Titan” XR Ride. The Titans, the antagonists of the series, are giant humanoids that destroy the village and eat the villagers.
Even for guests who haven’t seen the horror anime it’s worth a ride on this one-of-a-kind roller coaster. It’s unique because riders wear extended reality headsets as they traverse a roller coaster track.
Characters are talking in Japanese during the ride, but you don’t need to understand the language to enjoy the experience. The theme of the ride is that Titans have left the town in rubble, and Levi, a main character in the anime, is leading the Survey Corps on a rescue mission to get you and the other survivors safely into the inner walls of the town.
Anime characters populate the “Attack on Titan” section at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
On your mission, an unexpected attack takes the operation off course and into Titan territory. During the ride you are watching a screen in the headset and feeling the coaster as you move along the tracks.
The coaster moves fast through drops and tight turns. Also, the Titans displayed in the virtual reality headsets are quite terrifying, so I recommend leaving the little ones out for this ride. The height requirement is 102 cm, or 3.3 feet.
I stood in line for 1½ hours on a Monday for the roller coaster, but the single rider’s line took less than half that time. So, those on a tight schedule might want to go with that option.
Titan merchandise is available outside the ride, including shirts, cups, pens, keychains and blankets of their favorite characters and items from the anime.
The "Attack on Titan" section at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka features a selection of souvenir merchandise. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
Guests at Studio Stars Restaurant may order "Attack On Titan" meals at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Directions: “Attack on Titan,” at Universal Studios Japan, 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka 554-0031; walking distance from Universal-City Station, Osaka.
Times: Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Costs: Adult 1 Day Pass is 8,400 yen or $61.56, Child 1 Day Pass is 5,400 yen or 39.57 and a Senior 1 Day Pass is 7,600 or $55.70
Food: At Studio Stars Restaurant, plates include butter chicken and tea-flavored roast chicken with sides for 2,200 yen or $16.84. The kid’s meal includes a bacon and hamburger steak with sides and an orange drink. An “Attack on Titan” souvenir cup is 530 yen or $4.06 extra. A food cart serves a bun with a chicken filling for 650 yen or $4.98 or a popcorn bucket with tea-flavored popcorn in a souvenir bucket that’s pricey, even for super fans, at 4,500 yen or $34.44.
Information: www.usj.co.jp
