Sony Music Solutions has recently announced an exciting collaboration between the popular anime series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” and the live-action role-playing game attraction, “Dungeon ∞ Spiral,” located at Tokyo’s Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. This partnership, running from July 18 to Sept. 23, allows players to choose from four series characters – Frieren, Fern, Stark, or Himmel – as “Buddy Characters,” each featuring over 140 new Japanese voice lines with English subtitles.
The physical game experience, which was launched in March, challenges teams of 2-3 players to defeat monsters using rope-pulling, ball-kicking, and rhythm-based movements in an immersive dungeon setting. Unlike traditional video game RPGs played on screens, this attraction requires players to physically move their bodies to control their avatars, blending strategic gameplay with real-world physical activity and teamwork.
Players who participate in the game receive limited-edition “Buddy Crystal” acrylic blocks as a token of their character bonds, with premium sets including “Memory Crystal” keychains available for purchase. The collaboration extends throughout the tower, offering themed food and crane games starting on Aug. 1.
The manga series “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” has garnered immense popularity, selling over 22 million copies. With Season 2 of the anime currently in production following the successful first season that aired from September 2023 to March 2024.
In other anime news, India is set to host its first large-scale anime convention, Anime India, from Aug. 22-24 at Mumbai’s NESCO Bombay Exhibition Centre. The event aims to attract India’s 100 million Japanese anime enthusiasts and will feature animation director Tetsuro Araki as the keynote guest. Araki, known for his work on “Attack on Titan” and “Death Note,” will be making his first visit to India.
Also in attendance will be Hideo Katsumata, president of Avex Pictures, the company behind popular anime series like “Black Clover” and Crunchyroll Anime Awards winner “Look Back,” as well as Pokémon Company corporate officer Susume Fukunaga at the concurrent Animation & More Summit.
Anime India will offer exclusive panels and Q&A sessions with Araki, meet-and-greets with Japanese voice actor Tsunko, cosplay competitions, and an anime concert on Aug. 24. The convention will also feature an expansive merchandising zone offering official licensed merchandise from popular series like “Demon Slayer,” “Spy x Family,” “Tokyo Revengers,” and “Naruto.” Attendees can also enjoy India’s first maid cafe experience, an anime film festival, and interact with over 24 independent artists in the Artists Alley section.
