USJ's Viral Zombie Bear HamiKuma Debuts in Orlando for HHN 35!

The fog has officially rolled into Central Florida, and with it comes one of the most highly anticipated arrivals in Halloween Horror Nights history. For years, stateside fans have watched with pure envy as Universal Studios Japan enjoyed the chaotic, gory, and undeniably adorable antics of its resident event mascot, HamiKuma. Now, the wait is officially over: HamiKuma has made his East Coast meet-and-greet debut at Universal Studios Florida.

If you are heading to Halloween Horror Nights 35, you can find this legendary zombified bear tucked inside the Five & Dime store, located in the Hollywood section of the park.

Where and When to Find Him

Setting up a meet-and-greet for an international icon requires some atmospheric flair. Just outside the Five & Dime entrance, Universal has set dressing to prepare you for what lies inside, including themed wooden barrels topped with oversized candy props and a rather ominous stuffed bear head.

Once you step inside, the queue leads you to a curtained backdrop complete with crate and barrel props, all illuminated by a bright, light-up sign spelling out the guest of honor's name.

Because HamiKuma is a hot commodity, you'll want to plan your evening around his operating schedule. The meet-and-greet is scheduled to run nightly starting at 6:45 p.m., and the queue will close to new guests shortly after 1:50 a.m.. During the early event hours, wait times can spike, but on-the-ground reports suggest that those who head over during the peak of the night or closer to park close might find a more manageable line.

Who (and What) is HamiKuma?

If you aren't familiar with Universal Studios Japan's deep lore, you might be wondering why a fluffy bear with exposed stuffing and a split stomach is drawing such massive crowds.

As the legend goes, HamiKuma was once a popular sideshow act in a traveling circus. His fellow performers grew intensely jealous of his popularity and, fueled by a rumor that he wasn't a real bear, slashed open his belly to expose what lay inside. To cover up the deed, they burned the big top to the ground, bringing an end to his circus days.

However, in the afterlife, a parasitic demon named Death Bringer crawled into HamiKuma's open belly, reanimating him with eternal life—though his pure soul was left behind. Over the years, this has led to various iterations of the character, including HamiKuma Soul (his soul trapped in the afterlife), HamiKuma Punk (representing his rage), and HamiKuma Candy (the physical embodiment of his greed).

Bring a Piece of the Fog Home

Along with the character experience, Universal has rolled out a massive wave of HamiKuma merchandise across [universal-studios-florida]. If you want to match the aesthetic of the "deadly-cute" bear, you can grab everything from plaid shirts and plush backpacks to keychains and mugs at both the Five & Dime and the main Universal Studios Store.

If you're looking to stock up on other spooky season gear, don't miss the glow-in-the-dark Fortnitemares shirts that recently hit the shelves, celebrating the park's first-ever Fortnite scare zone.

Whether you are a longtime fan of the Japanese parks or a newcomer curious about the giant zombie teddy bear, HamiKuma’s presence adds a beautifully weird, high-energy layer of international flavor to this year’s anniversary event. Be sure to stop by Hollywood, say hello to the bear, and maybe even practice your synchronized dances before you get to the front of the line!