Anime at Universal Parks & Resorts

[Jerroddragon]

Pokemon is werid

Its an Anime and that is partly why the thing got big but the Games (including Pokemon Go) and Cards seem to be the biggest things keeping Pokemon alive

Like Pokemon had these cute card packs for Halloween to give out instead of Candy within 5 hours they were sold out on Amazon....if somehow Universal could get some exclusive cards made (maybe using backdrops from Universal movies) then I'm sure those would be hugeeeeeeeee and sell out in mins

 

[Clive]

Pokemon sells merch like hot cakes. So if we're look at that, definitely profitable. A lot of people are into Pokemon but I think its in the way that people love collecting things.
A lot of the Pokemon are cute and work well as plush, candy, and things of the like. In US, I don't think long-term that an Anime event would continue to be profitable.
I have no doubt that Hollywood could work well with a couple food offerings, meet and greets, and maybe 1 walkthrough experience, and a small "roadshow".

Just like anime movies make a killing initially, sure they drop off after a while but it's honestly not like your average Horror Movie makes too much more with all-time earnings and we still see some of those represented at Horror Nights.
For example, Dragon Ball: Battle of Gods made around $51.2 in total earnings, worldwide. For comparision Insidious 2 made around $161m, This is The End made $50m but both were featured at HHN

Pokemon transcends most anime properties and has mainstream appeal across a wide variety of demographics. I don't think anyone is disputing that Pokemon would do great in a Universal park - though, as Joe has pointed out, the rights are more complicated, as Nintendo does not have sole control.

As for the continued claims that more niche anime properties somehow justify park inclusion or festivals in the U.S.... the data just doesn't support it. Bringing This Is the End to HHN was largely considered a baffling decision and a misfire, so I'm not sure it supports your argument. The Insidious movies have all been wildly profitable and are tailor made for HHN experiences. With that said, there's a reason they aren't looked at for permanent attractions or even temporary daytime fixtures. The mass appeal just is not there - and the same is true for 99% of anime properties, which consistently make even less.

 

[Jerroddragon]

While I agree some anime would not work so well

I think having a Dragonball event at the parks would be HUGE. If when they next film came out you could do meet and greets, food and some photo ops even. I think it would go over well and let Universal see people have some real interest in having more anime events.
My Hero and Domon Slayer, and One Piece as well.

 

[nicodingus]

Pokemon transcends most anime properties and has mainstream appeal across a wide variety of demographics. I don't think anyone is disputing that Pokemon would do great in a Universal park - though, as Joe has pointed out, the rights are more complicated, as Nintendo does not have sole control.

As for the continued claims that more niche anime properties somehow justify park inclusion or festivals in the U.S.... the data just doesn't support it. Bringing This Is the End to HHN was largely considered a baffling decision and a misfire, so I'm not sure it supports your argument. The Insidious movies have all been wildly profitable and are tailor made for HHN experiences. With that said, there's a reason they aren't looked at for permanent attractions or even temporary daytime fixtures. The mass appeal just is not there - and the same is true for 99% of anime properties, which consistently make even less.

I think it largely depends on timing and the properties. Freaky made $16,244,416 opposed to Dragon Ball's 50million.

Not permanant but I think it's pretty feasible for a temporary 1 month event or something like that. Demon Slayer made over $500 million so I'm not so sure you can say anime isn't popular. Maybe pre-pandemic.

 

[Legacy]

I think it largely depends on timing and the properties. Freaky made $16,244,416 opposed to Dragon Ball's 50million.

Not permanant but I think it's pretty feasible for a temporary 1 month event or something like that. Demon Slayer made over $500 million so I'm not so sure you can say anime isn't popular. Maybe pre-pandemic.

Demon Slayer only made $45 million in the US. Only about $2 million in Great Britain. Those are the primary markets for Orlando. The bulk of its gross came Japan (70%), natch. But that means the markets Orlando is focused on are not the market that carried that film’s success.

This Is The End actually made $126 million worldwide (its profit was $50 million). That was a Hollywood movie that made fun of Hollywood that only appeared in Hollywood as a house.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Once again start small

it doesn’t cost much to have good items and some pop up photo ops in the main area of USH

also if it’s dragonball themed it guaranteed to draw fans. The series is over 30 years old and will get people to come

 

[baconwhiskers]

Once again start small

it doesn’t cost much to have good items and some pop up photo ops in the main area of USH

also if it’s dragonball themed it guaranteed to draw fans. The series is over 30 years old and will get people to come

Getting people to show up for something like this in Hollywood would be easy, Anime Expo already goes hard out here.

 

[Coolbfitz]

and just to add onto this point, I’ve heard it’s possible that the Hello Kitty store may be on the block.

Like clockwork.

Hello Kitty Store at Universal Studios Florida Being Slowly Rethemed - Universal Parks News Today

The Hello Kitty theming of the Hello Kitty store at Universal Studios Florida is being dismantled, with plans to remove Hello Kitty from the location entirely.

universalparksnewstoday.com

 

[OrlandoGuy]

Like clockwork.

Hello Kitty Store at Universal Studios Florida Being Slowly Rethemed - Universal Parks News Today

The Hello Kitty theming of the Hello Kitty store at Universal Studios Florida is being dismantled, with plans to remove Hello Kitty from the location entirely.

universalparksnewstoday.com

Swing and a miss. Good on them for going through the effort of actually removing the theming and not just replacing the merch and calling it a day.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've been saying on these forums that the Hello Kitty store has been dead since it's opening. Sooo obvious. There must have been some sort of minimum years contract for it to stay open this long.....Often people forget
that there's major cultural differences between USA and Japan. Disney saw the same thing happen with that popular Japan bear........I miss Lucy there. It didn't move much merchandise but it was an interesting entertaining
walk through.

 

[baconwhiskers]

Hello Kitty store at USH still gets people and they always do seasonal outfits for M&Gs.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I've been saying on these forums that the Hello Kitty store has been dead since it's opening. Sooo obvious. There must have been some sort of minimum years contract for it to stay open this long.....Often people forget
that there's major cultural differences between USA and Japan. Disney saw the same thing happen with that popular Japan bear........I miss Lucy there. It didn't move much merchandise but it was an interesting entertaining
walk through.

Always thought this was a perfect location for a thesis "Classic Universal Tribute" museum/store for films/rides/etc. Could save a portion of it for new attractions/etc.

If we can't get a great movie ride-esque ride or a backlot tour, we need at least something to celebration Universal's film legacy.

Universal Pictures - A Tribute

 

[Brian G.]

Hello Kitty store at USH still gets people and they always do seasonal outfits for M&Gs.

Different demographics.

 

[baconwhiskers]

Different demographics.

I know as I've said on here, I'm just pointing it out