Frieren Voice Actors Atsumi Tanezaki and Nobuhiko Okamoto Attend USJ Attraction Opening
The attraction marks the first time USJ has collaborated with Frieren and the debut of its new Universal Story Walk format, which aims to create hyper-real walkthrough experiences based on anime properties.
Key Facts
- Universal Studios Japan held an opening ceremony on May 29 for its new limited-time attraction, 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Story Walk ~Journey of Memories~,' which opens to the public on May 30.
- Voice actors Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren) and Nobuhiko Okamoto (Himmel) attended the ceremony and spoke about their experience previewing the walkthrough attraction.
- The attraction is the first collaboration between USJ and the Frieren anime and uses a new format called Universal Story Walk, combining giant screens, projection mapping, lighting, sound, and sets.
Reporting from 3 sources: Comic Natalie, GAME Watch (Impress), Anime Anime.
Universal Studios Japan held an opening ceremony on May 29 for its new limited-time attraction, "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Story Walk ~Journey of Memories~," which opens to the public on May 30. Voice actors Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren) and Nobuhiko Okamoto (Himmel) attended the ceremony and spoke about their experience previewing the walkthrough attraction. Tanezaki said the attraction made her feel like she was in the same space as the characters and that she almost cried during scenes revisiting Frieren's journey. Okamoto praised the realism of the townscapes and the statue of Himmel, saying the experience left him speechless. The attraction is the first collaboration between USJ and the Frieren anime and uses a new format called Universal Story Walk, combining giant screens, projection mapping, lighting, sound, and sets. The event runs through January 11, 2027. USJ is also offering a themed restaurant, "Frieren ~Restaurant of Memories~," and a story ride, "Frieren × Story Ride ~Journey with the Bird Monster and Carriage."
Tanezaki and Okamoto each recited a line from the anime as they took the stage. Okamoto said Himmel's line, "I want to show you someday," and Tanezaki replied as Frieren, "You're late, Himmel." The ceremony was held in front of a statue of Himmel.
Okamoto said that upon entering the attraction, "it was the townscapes and scenery I saw in the anime." He noted that Stark appears at the same height as the visitors, which made him feel "they are right there, living alongside us." Tanezaki said she felt the real distance to the first rock that Fern shot through, and that the flower-field magic scene was one of many moments where she almost cried.
When asked about their favorite magic from the series, Okamoto chose Genau's Digadonacht (the magic that controls black wings). Tanezaki said she likes "the magic to clean clothes spotless" and "the magic to turn red apples green" because they are silly and make her chuckle.
Both actors also previewed the themed restaurant. Okamoto said he ate every item on the menu, calling the three slices of meat in Frieren's dish "soft and melt-in-your-mouth." Tanezaki noted a blue soda drink that comes with a Frieren staff, saying it tasted "like a refreshing breeze." She also pointed out details in the restaurant's decor, such as Fern's hair ornament and a pumpkin that appeared to have been worked on by magic.
On the story ride, Okamoto said that Frieren and the others speak to riders while YOASOBI's "Yuusha," the first-season opening theme, plays. Tanezaki said she enjoyed imagining the fight with the bird monster as the coaster moved.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Comic Natalie 「フリーレン」×USJを種﨑敦美＆岡本信彦が体験！2人とも「泣きそうになる」
- GAME Watch (Impress) USJ「葬送のフリーレン ストーリー・ウォーク ～追憶の旅～」先行レビュー
- Anime Anime 「フリーレン」フリーレン役・種崎敦美とヒンメル役・岡本信彦がUSJコラボを先行体験「泣きそうになる瞬間が…」「ファンにはたまらない！」