Osaka, Japan – Universal Studios Japan has officially announced the summer debut of Illumination’s villain-Con Minion Blast, a highly anticipated addition to its popular Minion Park. The proclamation confirms what many park enthusiasts suspected after observing construction progress in recent months. The park is betting big that guests will embrace their inner villain.

Universal Studios Japan is promoting the new attraction as a major expansion of the Minion Park experience. According to the Minion Park webpage, “Villain-Con—the biggest gathering of villains anywhere—has arrived at USJ and Minion Park is now bigger and badder! Come experience Illumination’s Minions in an all-new way while also enjoying Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Freeze Ray Sliders. The level of mayhem has been amped-up to infinity!”

The park promises an immersive experience for guests seeking to embrace their mischievous side. “for the first time ever, blast your way to supervillain stardom in the new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast attraction. Visit Evil Eats where mischief is always on the menu. get the latest Villain-Con merch at Evil Stuff and more.”

The announcement emphasizes the interactive nature of the expanded Minion Park. “Now, with the amped-up Minion Park, you can be as bad as you want! Unleash your inner villain—or minion—and create your own mayhem. It’s so much fun, it’s a crime! Summer 2025—New attraction boosts the excitement at Minion Park,” reads a statement on the Universal Studios Japan website.

The concept behind Villain-Con Minion Blast, which debuted first at Universal Studios Florida, mixes a moving walkway with interactive target shooting. Parkgoers attending the villain convention will face off against characters from the “Despicable Me” franchise, including the Vicious 6. A key feature enhancing the experience allows visitors to sync their scores and track progress using the Universal orlando Resort app, unlocking special achievements and adding a layer of gamification to the ride.

Implications for U.S. Theme Parks

The popularity of Villain-Con Minion Blast in Orlando suggests the Japan version could be a significant draw, boosting attendance and revenue. The success of these attractions underscores a broader trend in the theme park industry: the increasing reliance on intellectual property (IP) to drive attendance. According to a 2024 report by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM,parks that effectively integrate popular movie and television franchises into their attractions and overall park design consistently outperform those that do not. “The demand for immersive experiences based on recognizable brands is higher than ever,” says linda Crump, a TEA spokesperson. “Parks that can successfully tap into this demand are seeing considerable returns.”

Universal’s continued investment in “Despicable Me” IP demonstrates the enduring appeal of the franchise. While specific financial data on Villain-Con Minion Blast’s impact is not yet available, analysts predict a positive effect on Universal Studios Japan’s overall performance.