Universal Studios Japan has today opened its latest attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast (11th July 2025).
The ride can be found in a newly expanded Minion Park area, themed to Illumination’s popular Minions franchise, which has expanded in size by approximately 40%.
Yesterday, 300 fans gathered at a special press event. joining costume characters including Gru and his family from the Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions film series, to celebrate the opening. The moving walkway-style blaster attraction follows in the success of a similar attraction which opened at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida almost two years ago.
Guests step into a sleek building to find themselves in the middle of “Villain-Con”, straight out of the world of the film. Armed with their “E-Liminator X Blaster”, guests then step onto the moving walkway and test their skills as they tried to become the newest member of the “Vicious 6”, who are featured in this attraction.
Following the experience, guests can discover the new Evil Stuff store for everything essential to becoming a villain. Replicas of the blasters are available for purchase, as well as ‘cute and adorable’ Minion items such as headbands lined with Minion faces dressed as villains, as well as other exclusive lines.
The snack stand Evil Eats serves ‘guilt-inducing’ food including the signature item, Donut Villain Burger. A selection of Minion Donuts and ‘over-the-top treats’ headline the desserts menu.
Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri says:“With the new Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction and the continued expansion of Minion Park, we have added a bold new chapter to the Minions’ world that invites fans to fully embrace their inner-villain. It is a joy to see our characters and storytelling take shape in such vivid, unexpected ways at Universal Studios Japan, where guests can dive even deeper into the heart, mischief, and unmistakable charm that define the Minions.”
Delivering ‘immersive entertainment’
Park executive VP and general manager Taku Murayama adds: “Minion Park opened its doors at Universal Studios Japan in April 2017. We are delighted that the unique and fascinating world of Minions created by Illumination is now featured at Universal Destinations & Experiences around the globe.
“In addition to this expansion, Universal Studios Japan will continue to evolve in the future. Next year, the park will celebrate its 25th anniversary. We will continue to deliver the immersive entertainment that the Universal brand is renowned for and strive to grow without limits to become a driving force that energises society as a whole.”
Universal Studios Japan opened in 2001 and has in recent years accelerated its growth with experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Flying Dinosaur (which soars throughout the Jurassic Park area), and Super Nintendo World, a new area where guests can discover an immersive environment based on world renowned Nintendo characters.
Universal recently submitted a formal planning application to the UK government, as part of plans to create Europe’s only Universal Studios theme park resort near Bedford, England.
