Virtual reality continues to dominate at the start of 2016, with Universal now joining in on the act, debuting its first VR coaster at its park in Osaka themed around Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Crayon Shin-chan).

Known as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride, the colourful version of the VR coaster by Mack has been added to their Space Fantasy spinning rollercoaster. First opened in March 2010 as a replacement for the park’s E.T. dark ride, the Mack-designed coaster is themed as a space adventure, using special effects and immersive theming.

The addition is part of Universal’s Cool Japan videogame, anime, manga and Japanese pop culture attraction, which runs from 15 January through to 26 June.

When the park announced the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu addition, it said it would be “like nothing that has ever been experienced before”. Now revealed as Japan’s first VR coaster, the attraction will envelop riders in the artist’s music, fashion and unique music videos.

Using precise synchronisation, riders are shown a 3D animated world, matching the basic track with the option to add in non-existent ride elements. Using VR the manufacturer can manipulate the rider’s perception of speed, height, length and dimensions, completely changing the layout and locale of the track. With music composed by Yasutaka Nakata, visitors will be immersed in the ultra-colorful world of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, with part of the simulation creating a 200m (656ft) drop.

"This is our largest project so far and it’s become very impressive,” said VR Coaster’s Thomas Wagner, inventor of the technology, speaking to Attractions Management.

“It’s a very nice gravity coaster and we have enhanced and extended the track a lot in VR. The spinning capability of the cars has been switched off so the VR choreography could be precisely planned.”

According to Universal Japan, Universal Cool Japan contributed to increasing the number of visitors to the theme park by about 200,000 a month during its six-month run. In addition to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride, Cool Japan also welcomes back its Attack on Titan recreation, Evangelion 4D dark ride, Biohazard (Resident Evil) immersive experience and Monster Hunter recreation, all with new features and upgrades.