Atsumi Tanezaki , the voice actress who plays Anya Forger in the TV anime "SPY×FAMILY," based on the manga currently being serialized on Shueisha's manga app "Shonen Jump+," and Saori Hayami , who plays Yol Forger , visited Universal Studios Japan (USJ, Konohana Ward, Osaka City). They experienced the "SPY×FAMILY XR Ride ~Operation Hyperdrive~" attraction, a collaboration with the series.
"SPY×FAMILY XR Ride" is the first VR coaster in the series. Tanezaki and Hayami, new WISE agents, infiltrate Eden Academy and search for top-secret documents stored there with their "father" Lloyd. They board the "USJ" vehicle built by Franky, wearing special VR goggles, and set off for Spy World with the Forger family. Working together with the Forger family, they successfully protect the top-secret documents. After experiencing the attraction, Tanezaki commented, "It was 100% amazing! With Anya, Dad, and Haha right in front of me, I was just so busy! I thought this was something you could only experience at Universal Studios Japan. It was warm and wonderful!"
Hayami excitedly said, "The sense of realism was amazing! At one point, Yor jumps in front of me, and I felt so close I could almost touch him! At the end, it wasn't just the mission, but also the warm side of the Forger family, and there was a scene where I wondered if it was okay to watch from this close up. It was wonderful!"
Tanezaki and Hayami had a blast trying out the "SPY×FAMILY Story Ride - Exciting! Extracurricular Experience on a Trolley" attraction and the "Everyone Takes on a Challenge with Dad and Mom! SPY×FAMILY Exciting! USJ Park Rally" which takes them around the park. Finally, they enjoyed the "SPY×FAMILY Parkside Grill Special Set - Lloyd's Hamburger" at the restaurant "Parkside Grill", where they could taste Dad's hamburger steak served with Anya's favorite peanut pie.
After experiencing the "ultra-realistic" spy world throughout the day, Hayami said, "It was so much fun, and in a way that's different from the anime, it felt closer to me (SPY×FAMILY) than it ever has before!", while Tanezaki said, "I know what you mean! It felt like we were together. I felt really close to the Forger family and everyone at Eden Academy!"
A one-day-only talk event was also held inside the park with Tanezaki and Hayami, with Tanezaki commenting, "My wish came true: I was able to come to Universal Studios Japan, and the world of SPY×FAMILY was there, so I was truly happy. I hope you will come and see everyone in SPY×FAMILY again and again." Hayami added, "This was my first time at Universal Studios Japan, and I felt like I had never had the chance to experience anything like this in my life, and it was a day filled with excitement, thrills, power, and thrills, as if I had been saving these wonderful experiences for today. I hope you will come and visit."
(C) Tatsuya Endo/Shueisha, SPY×FAMILY Production Committee. Image provided by Universal Studios Japan.
