Bridging the Digital and Physical Stage: "The Idolmaster SideM" Returns to Tokyo Joypolis for Landmark Third Collaboration

Executive Overview

In an era where location-based entertainment (LBE) has become a primary driver of fan engagement for major media franchises, CA Sega Joypolis Co., Ltd. and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. have announced a major expansion of their long-standing partnership. The two entertainment giants are set to launch "The Idolmaster SideM in JOYPOLIS 3," a comprehensive, multi-month experiential event running from September 12, 2026, to December 6, 2026, at Tokyo Joypolis—the iconic indoor theme park located in the waterfront district of Odaiba, Tokyo.

This highly anticipated event marks the third installment of the collaboration series, succeeding the highly successful "SideM in JOYPOLIS 2" campaign held in the spring of 2024. Occurring alongside Tokyo Joypolis’s landmark 30th anniversary, the event carries significant weight. To commemorate this milestone, the popular 315 Production idol units "High×Joker" and "Shinsoku Ikkon" have been appointed as the official Tokyo Joypolis 30th Anniversary Ambassadors.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                     "THE IDOLM@STER SideM in JOYPOLIS 3"                    |
|                                                                             |
|   Duration: September 12, 2026 – December 6, 2026                           |
|   Location: Tokyo Joypolis (Decks Tokyo Beach, Odaiba, Tokyo)               |
|   Key IP: The Idolmaster SideM (Bandai Namco Entertainment)                 |
|   Anniversary Ambassadors: High×Joker & Shinsoku Ikkon                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

The collaboration represents a sophisticated fusion of physical attractions, mixed-reality performances, gamified retail, and themed dining. Designed to appeal to the deeply dedicated fanbase of The Idolmaster SideM—a male-idol spin-off of Bandai Namco’s multi-billion-yen The Idolmaster franchise—the event highlights the growing commercial importance of immersive, real-world experiences in sustaining legacy intellectual properties.

Detailed Chronology & Event Architecture

The 86-day event is structured to encourage repeat visits from fans across Japan, utilizing a dual-phase calendar that rotates both culinary offerings and fan-focused campaigns.

The Two-Phase Calendar Rotation

To maintain engagement over its nearly three-month run, the event is split into two distinct halves:

• First Half (September 12 – October 24, 2026): Focuses on the initial lineup of exclusive merchandise, the first half of the birthday celebrations, and Phase 1 of the specialized food and beverage menus at the park’s 2nd-floor D-Lounge.
• Second Half (October 25 – December 6, 2026): Introduces Phase 2 of the dining menu, refreshed collectible items, and the second cohort of the birthday celebrations.

Event Phase Timeline:
[Sept 12] =================== (Oct 24) | (Oct 25) =================== [Dec 6]
         First Half Campaign                  Second Half Campaign
         - Phase 1 Cafe Menu                  - Phase 2 Cafe Menu
         - Birthday Cohort 1                  - Birthday Cohort 2

The Targeted Birthday Campaign

A major draw for dedicated fans is the specialized Birthday Campaign, celebrating 12 specific idols whose canonical birthdays fall within the event window. This campaign is divided across the two phases:

During their respective birthday windows, visitors can participate in exclusive, time-limited interactive activities and purchase special commemorative goods. This strategy leverages the emotional connection fans have with individual characters to drive consistent foot traffic throughout the autumn season.

In-Depth Attraction & Content Breakdown

"The Idolmaster SideM in JOYPOLIS 3" integrates the franchise’s music, characters, and voice acting into Tokyo Joypolis’s signature "DigitaReal" attractions.

                       TOKYO JOYPOLIS FLOOR MAP & COLLABORATION SITES

   [ 3rd Floor ] -------------------------------------------------------------
     * Main Stage -----------------> 3D Live Show (All 16 Units, New Setlist)
     * Wild River Ride ------------> High×Joker Immersive Audio Experience
     * Fortune Forest -------------> Rune Fortune-Telling (SideM Branded Sheets)

   [ 2nd Floor ] -------------------------------------------------------------
     * Gekion Live Coaster --------> Music-Game Roller Coaster (Shinsoku Ikkon)
     * D-Lounge -------------------> Themed Cafe & Trading Coasters
     * Carnival Game Corner -------> Skill Games & Joypolis-Exclusive Prizes

   [ 1st Floor ] -------------------------------------------------------------
     * Main Entrance --------------> Welcome Voices & Digital Photo Booth
     * Dippin' Dots ---------------> Branded Floats, Ice Cream & Trading Stickers

1. Main Stage 3D Live Show

The focal point of the collaboration is the Main Stage, located on the park’s 3rd floor. Here, a state-of-the-art 3D live performance video featuring all 16 idol units from 315 Production will be projected daily.

For this third iteration, the show’s setlist and structural composition have been completely renewed. The finale of each performance will feature the latest group song, updated with new visual and audio production. In a move to enhance narrative continuity, the pre-show and post-show announcements will be fully voiced by the 30th Anniversary Ambassadors, High×Joker and Shinsoku Ikkon, delivering custom dialogue written specifically for the Joypolis audience.

2. Gekion Live Coaster (撃音 ライブ コースター)

Located on the 2nd floor, the Gekion Live Coaster is the world’s first indoor roller coaster integrated with a rhythm game. This attraction has been overhauled with a renewed SideM theme.

As the coaster accelerates through its digital track, riders will play along to high-energy tracks from The Idolmaster SideM discography. The ride experience is elevated by newly recorded voice lines from Shinsoku Ikkon, providing real-time commentary, encouragement, and interactive cues to riders based on their gameplay performance.

3. Wild River (ワイルドリバー)

The park’s popular simulated rafting ride, Wild River, will feature a special collaboration script. Passengers embarking on this virtual, turbulent river journey will be guided by the members of High×Joker. The voice actors of the high school band unit have recorded dedicated voice-over tracks that play during the ride, turning a standard attraction into a personalized adventure.

4. Fortune Forest (フォーチュンフォレスト)

For visitors seeking a calmer experience, the mystical Fortune Forest interactive attraction on the 3rd floor offers rune-based fortune-telling. During the event, the physical printouts containing guests’ fortune results will be printed on limited-edition stationery styled with exclusive The Idolmaster SideM graphics, serving as a unique keepsake.

5. Voice-Over Mini-Rally & Carnival Games

Making its debut in this third collaboration is an interactive Voice-Over Mini-Rally. Visitors can purchase a rally participation kit and navigate the multi-story venue to locate hidden stamp stations.

The puzzle-solving elements of the rally are driven by custom audio clues. By listening to recorded conversations between the members of High×Joker and Shinsoku Ikkon, players can decode the clues, find the stamps, and claim a limited-edition novelty prize.

Additionally, the Carnival Game Corner on the 2nd floor will feature themed skill games where players can win exclusive, non-retail Joypolis prizes based on their final scores.

Supporting Context, Demographics, & Economic Metrics

The collaboration between Bandai Namco and SEGA Joypolis is built on a highly optimized commercial model designed to maximize average spend per visitor (SPV) through bundled ticketing, tiered retail rewards, and exclusive dining incentives.

Collaborative Ticket Pricing Structure

Joypolis has structured its ticketing to accommodate both casual visitors and dedicated collectors. All collaboration tickets include limited-edition physical merchandise that cannot be purchased separately.

TICKET PRICING COMPARISON
====================================================================
Ticket Type               Target Audience      Adult Price  Student Price
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Attraction 1-Time Ticket  Casual / Collector   3,000 JPY    2,700 JPY
Full Passport             Dedicated Fan        6,800 JPY    5,800 JPY
====================================================================
* Attraction 1-Time Ticket includes: Entrance, 1 Ride, and Trading Joypolis Ticket-style Card.
* Full Passport includes: Entrance, Unlimited Rides, Trading Ticket-style Card, and Premium Pass Case.

Merchandising Strategy and the Retail Incentive Loop

A dedicated pop-up retail store inside Joypolis will sell event-exclusive merchandise featuring newly drawn illustrations of the 315 Production idols. To incentivize high-volume purchases, the park is implementing a tiered reward system:

$$textSpend 3,000text JPY (tax incl.) longrightarrow textReceive 1text Random "Trading Business Card-style Card" (トレーディング名刺風カード)$$

This card-distribution mechanic encourages fans to trade with one another inside the park, fostering a lively social atmosphere. Recognizing the high demand and geographic limitations of overseas or distant fans, organizers have confirmed that all event-exclusive merchandise will be made available online via the Animate Online Shop after the physical event concludes on December 6, 2026.

Gastronomic Integration: D-Lounge and Dippin’ Dots

Food and beverage spaces are also integrated into the event’s monetization strategy:

• D-Lounge (2nd Floor): Offers a rotating menu of themed entrees, desserts, and drinks. Each menu item ordered comes with one random trading coaster. The dining area will also broadcast exclusive, newly recorded audio segments from the ambassador units.