Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie

Undying school girl enthralls zombie horde in new artwork, and maybe elsewhere too. After generations of Tokyo Disneyland being the first thing that many people in Japan think of when they hear the wo

Undying school girl enthralls zombie horde in new artwork, and maybe elsewhere too.

After generations of Tokyo Disneyland being the first thing that many people in Japan think of when they hear the words “theme park,” Osaka’s** Universal Studios Japan** has gained considerable ground on its rival in recent years. A lot of that is thanks to USJ actively pursuing things that Disney can’t, such as collaborations with Japanese pop culture franchises from the anime/manga sphere or focusing on non-kid-friendly scares during Halloween season, and now the park is going to be doing both at once with** a collaboration with one of the all-time masters of manga horror, Junji Ito**.

Ito is a prolific creator with no shortage of works that would have been a thematic fit for a crossover with USJ’s Halloween Horror Nights event. Uzumaki and Gyo were no doubt strong candidates, but it’s the undying schoolgirl Tomie, hailing from the series of the same name, who was ultimately chosen. Tomie’s bewitching presence and powers will be put to use on a line of exclusive merchandise showing her leading a hoard of zombies through Universal Studios Japan, with Ito’s artwork gracing T-shirts, key chains, notebooks, stickers, and towels.

It’s worth pointing out that, in the announcement of the partnership, USJ makes sure to specify that the hordes of undead under Tomie’s control are “street zombies,” the costumed performers who roam the park during Halloween Horror Nights. It would seem like this would suggest that visitors might be able to encounter Tomie herself among the creatures walking the park’s grounds. There’s been no official promise of that, but it would be unusual for USJ to offer merchandise of a franchise that has no other presence at the park.

In any case, the Universal Studios Japan Junji Ito collection goes on sale September 9 inside the park, and this year’s Halloween Horror Nights festivities will be held from September 11 to November 8. And even if Tomie herself doesn’t end up taking over part of the park, if you’re looking for thrills at Halloween Horror Nights, there’s a haunted house that’s so intense it requires a consent form before you can enter.