USJ Collaboration - Final Fantasy
In 2018, the Final Fantasy franchise and Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka, Japan collaborated on creating a new limited time Virtual Reality roller coaster ride. During their annual event schedule between January 19th 2018 to June 24th 2018 they opened the limited time roller coaster “Final Fantasy XR: The Ride”. The ride transforms the already popular ‘Space Fantasy the Ride’ roller coaster into a Final Fantasy world for patrons through the use of VR headsets. Visitors to the ride can enter the 3D Final Fantasy world while boarding an airship full of movement, and meet their favorite Final Fantasy characters on their journey. Along with the ride, there are Final Fantasy themed foods such as Chocobo popcorn buckets (¥3840) and adorable Cactuar churritos (¥550). Famous Final Fantasy character designer and artist Yoshitako Amano designed the logo for the ride.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is one of six Universal Studio theme parks in the world and is located in Osaka, Japan. First opened in March, 2001, the theme park hosts a number of entertainment and theme based attractions such as a rollercoaster, "Hollywood Dream – The Ride", another ride called "New Amazing Adventure of Spider Man - The Ride 4K3D". On 15 July 2014, The theme park opened its doors to the globally popular wizarding movie, Harry Potter with the creation of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an area based upon the Harry Potter movie world which has in turn become one of the most popular attractions at USJ, Japan. In addition, the theme park carries out annual collaborations with big-name and popular franchises creating 4D rides and theatres for such games as "Biohazard - The Real'' and "Monster Hunter - The Real". Both rides are based on popular video game franchises. In addition to game franchises, there has been an influx of collaborations with popular anime series and franchises too such as the popular manga comic and anime “One Piece” . The Universal Studios Japan theme park continues to thrive and satisfy fans around the world.
Final Fantasy XR: The Ride Plot
Visitors to the Final Fantasy XR: The Ride are first explained that the ride itself is a magic research ship and that by getting on the ride they will be participating in a variety of experiments. In this research ship, research for a Universal Studios original ‘Universal Crystal’ is held. This crystal is said to have the incredible power of enabling the user to enter any game world they want.
As the visitors enter further into the ride, they come to see the ‘Universal Crystal’ in a laboratory. As the experiments are about to progress, a warning alert goes off indicating an altercation with the Universal Crystal. Visitors are told that the dark energy of the crystal is going berserk and that the laboratory can’t keep it handled. The crystal explodes into dust and disappears resulting in the visitors being thrown into the world of the Final Fantasy game.
From this point, the visitors to the ride are asked to wear VR goggles before taking turns in pairs (2 pairs with a total of 4 people in one), getting on the ride. The goggles provide the visitor with a complete 360 degree vision of the world shown through them.
As visitors start their journey in search of the Universal Crystal, they are blasted through familiar backgrounds from the Final Fantasy series. On the way they pass Chocobos and Cactuars. Finally, as the airship continues through the vibrant landscape, the riders are thrown directly into the middle of a battle scene between the Final Fantasy VII main protagonist Cloud Strife and antagonist Sephiroth in Midgar.
As the ride offers 360 degree views as the ship moves, the rider can feel and see all angles of the fight between Cloud and Sephiroth mimicking the excitement and emotional intensity as if they were really on the front battle line.
USJ Limited Edition Final Fantasy Goods
In celebration of the opening of the Final Fantasy XR: The Ride, USJ released a large number of different goods for Final Fantasy fans to go crazy over. Here is a brief list of some goods that were available.
Printed Cookies
Set of cookies with classic dot graphic characters printed on the to. Packaged in a limited edition tin box.Mint Collection Box
An assortment of mints in a limited edition tin box designed with popular Final Fantasy characters such as Cloud, Tidus, Squall and Zidane.Character T-Shirts
A large range of colored T-shirts with popular Final Fantasy characters printed.Wristwatch
A silver wristwatch with the limited edition Final Fantasy XR: The Ride logo on the face of the watch.Headphone Set
A headphone set with the limited edition Final Fantasy XR: The Ride logo on the ear pieces of the headphones.
USJ and Other Major Collaborations
To mark the release of the movie ‘Shin Godzilla’ the Godzilla and Evangelion franchises paired up in collaboration with USJ to create a 4-D ride called “Godzilla vs. Evangelion: The Real 4-D”. The ride was open between May 31 and August 25, 2019 and was the first crossover between two different franchises (Both Evangelio and Godzilla had individual rides in the past).