Universal Cool Japan is an event held at Universal Studios Japan, a popular theme park located in Osaka, that showcases the best entertainment coming out of Japan. While a regular event, 2023 marks its full return after a three-year hiatus. It will be held between February 17, 2023 and July 2, 2023, and will consist of games, events, and more from three hit Japanese franchises: Detective Conan, SPY×FAMILY, and Monster Hunter.

At the same time, all the usual USJ attractions are still in full swing, bolstered by the return of the highly-anticipated NO LIMIT Parade, making 2023 a fantastic year to visit.

Detective Conan, also known as “Case Closed,” is a Japanese anime and manga series that has been running since 1994. This fun and addictive mystery saga is based around a detective prodigy who is turned into a child by a criminal organization. While hiding his true identity and taking on the name “Conan,” he works with a detective agency to help solve cases while searching for the criminals who shrank him.

As part of USJ’s Universal Cool Japan 2023, the park will host Detective Conan World featuring three different attractions: an escape game, a themed restaurant, and a rollercoaster ride. Rather than purely digital creations, these will be real, tactile experiences enhanced by the latest technology to fully immerse visitors in the captivating tale of Conan.

Detective Conan: The Escape - Kurogane no Jomaku (Prologue) will have visitors solve mysteries alongside protagonists Conan and Ai to escape a conspiracy by the Black Organization in a rip-roaring escape room game.

Like the Cool Japan event itself, 2023 marks the complete return of the highly acclaimed Detective Conan: The Escape to USJ after a hiatus and will be decked out with more puzzles than ever before alongside the A.I. AGENT, which you’ll need to train and improve to beat the game. The game’s original story is written as a prologue for the franchise’s upcoming film, Black Iron Submarine, which will be released in Japan on April 14, 2023.

Next is the Detective Conan Mystery Restaurant, which spices up your USJ dining experience with a helping of intrigue! 2023 introduces a new, interactive story to the restaurant, where you’ll blend into the world to be served by popular characters like Heiji Hattori before witnessing the unfolding of a mystery. Characters are played by energetic actors in brilliant costumes, making it feel much more lifelike than any digital presentation. Afterwards, you’ll also be able to purchase special commemorative photos with you and the cast!

Food on offer at the restaurant is presented by the graduate student Subaru Okiya, who stays at the Kudo residence. The delicious cuisine includes Subaru Okiya's Osowarake ~Chicken Curry Soup & Open Rye Bread Sandwich~, a hearty meal, as well as Subaru Okiya’s Black Tea ~Apple Compote~, designed for the tea that he offers guests visiting the Kudo residence.

In addition to the restaurant food, limited-time collaboration snacks and merchandise are also on offer! The items are themed after the mysterious 'Black Organization,' which will be featured in the upcoming Black Iron Submarine film.

Enjoy tasty snacks like Black Organization Almond Chocolate Cookies and merchandise such as a pen Ccase designed after the poison "APTX 4869". Other items, such as a stainless steel tumbler" designed with the organization's code names, will let you take home memories from the park and immerse yourself in the world of Detective Conan in your daily life. Get your hands on special food and merchandise only available at the park and fully enjoy the world of Detective Conan.

Finally, for thrill-seekers, the Detective Conan x Hollywood Dream - The Ride - Gekiso no Shijokai (Test Drive), combines the exhilaration of one of USJ’s most famous rollercoasters with the slapstick antics of the Junior Detective League. You’ll race through the park at high speeds while following the commands of Conan and Ai in what was intended to be the test drive of a new vehicle. However, after it goes haywire, you’ll need to help Conan and Ai slow it down while holding on for dear life, making it both engaging, funny, and nail-biting!

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If there’s one anime that defined 2022, it would no doubt be SPY×FAMILY! This wholesome and adorable yet thrilling anime and manga series follows the adventures of the Forger family, who secretly moonlight as spies, assassins, and telepaths, unbeknownst to one another.

Universal Cool Japan 2023 will also introduce USJ’s first-ever SPY×FAMILY attraction with the mystery-solving game SPY×FAMILY Secret Mission, promising a riveting experience full of warmth and heartfelt comedy. You’ll be fully immersed within the colorful, dynamic SPY×FAMILY world as you solve a series of interactive mysteries by uncovering and cracking codes and symbols hidden throughout the park as an agent of the secret organization “WISE.”

Those clever enough to clear the game will be invited to a live entertainment show featuring the cool and collected father Loid, the charming yet deadly wife Yor, and the sweet and hilarious kid Anya, drawing you ever deeper into the charming SPY×FAMILY story. You’ll also be able to take photos with the trio, proving your worth as a spy! You can register for and pick up the Secret Mission Instruction Book from USJ’s Palace Theater.

From Feb 12, you can also enjoy a heartwarming food menu inspired by the Forger Family, to fully immerse yourself in the spy world! SPY×FAMILY Beef Stew Set - Forger Family's Special Menu: The main dish features Yor's unique beef stew with a slightly crumbled fried egg, an appetizer served in a stylish cocktail glass inspired by Loid the cook, and Anya's favorite, peanut butter stew - with an extra serving of peanuts on the side. As for drinks, there's the uber-cute Anya x Bond Wakuwaku Drink - Strawberry Milk, inspired by the adorable Anya and Bond, as well as a non-alcoholic cocktail, Loid x Yor Temporary Couple Drink - Apple & Coffee Soda.

Don't forget the snacks on offer around the park either - enjoy adorable limited edition items such as Starlight Anya Churitos - Raspberry Flavor topped with a Stella, and the Chimera Level 10 Billion Curry Bread featuring Anya's beloved toy Chimera.

You can now enjoy the cute world of Anya at school, work, or home with original stationery goods that are only available in the park. Anya's beloved Chimera returns as an adorable plush toy pen case! In addition, there is a Masking Tape & Acrylic Pen Stand Set, with all the characters icons appearing on a masking tape, and a smiling Anya design on the pen stand. With all these items you can really immerse yourself in the world of SPY×FAMILY! The park also plans to sell other original goods, so keep an eye out when visiting.

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Along with the special events introduced above, Universal Studios Japan is packed with year-round attractions making it worthwhile visiting anytime you’re in Osaka. Highlights include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, where you can act out your Harry Potter fantasy in magnificently-realized sets like Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade while enjoying rides and casting spells; SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, jam-packed with Mario-themed experiences like Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge™ and Yoshi’s Adventure™ in a meticulously crafted Nintendo mecca; along with Minion Park, Jurassic Park – The Ride, WaterWorld, and more, plus hair-raising rides like Hollywood Dream – The Ride, The Flying Dinosaur, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – The Ride for thrill-seekers.

Alongside Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, Universal Studios Japan is one of Japan’s definitive theme parks, and a great place to rediscover your favorite films with a distinctly Japanese twist.

Coinciding with all of the above, the popular NO LIMIT Parade will be returning to Universal Studios Japan from March 1, 2023 after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. This comeback will be one of the biggest parades ever held in the park, and will be USJ’s first-ever Pokémon appearance! The flagship Nintendo float has characters like Mario, Luigi, Toad, Bowser, and Yoshi racing on the dazzling Rainbow Road, while the much-anticipated Pokémon float hosts an energetic dancing Pikachu backed by a fierce smoke-exhaling Charizard, along with Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and other quintessential Pokémon.

In addition, there will be special collaboration food items, headbands, and exclusive merchandise on offer! Much of the merchandise can be used to customize your USJ goods - think adorable charms to put on your headbands, neck straps for your bubble wand, badges for your bags, and so much more! The special collaboration items will be available for Mario and friends, Pokémon, Minions, SING, Peanuts, Sesame Street, and Hello Kitty.

The NO LIMIT Parade will also invite spectators to join in the fun with dance parties around each float, playing music ranging from classic rock to modern EDM to accommodate all generations. Bubbles, confetti, and more will be blasted all over by cheerful dancers, upping the electrifying, sensational atmosphere. Other floats include characters from Minions, Sing, Peanuts, Sesame Street, Hello Kitty, and other icons sure to capture your heart.

*The NO LIMIT Parade will be held once per day, and the parade times differ.
*Please check the official website for detailed information on the parade and viewing.

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With riveting interactive games and enthralling parades lovingly designed to recreate our favorite Japanese hits like Mario, Pokémon, SPY×FAMILY, Detective Conan, and more, 2023 is a big year for fans of theme parks and Japanese subculture. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, the ever-evolving attractions at Universal Studios Japan ensure plenty of fresh and exciting ways to get closer to beloved Japanese and overseas franchises! Universal Studios Japan tickets can be purchased at the links below.

Source: PR times