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Horror Night Academy is a special stage packed with 15 years of fear and excitement
At USJ in 2026, the stage show symbolizing the 15th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights is “Halloween Horror Night Academy: 15 Years of Screams.”
The biggest highlight is seeing Chainsaw Zombies, Dr. Chaos, DJ X, the Ringmaster, Hamikuma and other characters who have defined past Horror Nights all come together on one stage.
Past songs “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD” also appear. Rather than simply watching something scary, this looks set to be a festival-like show where guests can scream, dance, and look back on 15 years of Horror Nights.
Dates, location, and showtimes
“Halloween Horror Night Academy: 15 Years of Screams” is scheduled from Friday, September 11 through Sunday, November 8, 2026. It takes place at Gramercy Park in the New York Area.
Showtimes vary by day, and USJ’s official show schedule is posted from about one week before your planned visit.
- Dates: September 11 (Fri)–November 8 (Sun), 2026
- Location: Gramercy Park
- Showtimes: Vary by day
- Not recommended for children age 5 and under
- Children age 12 and under require parental consent
If you already know your visit date, check the show schedule once it is about a week away and decide in advance on a time that does not overlap with your horror attractions.
The highlight: a grand reunion of legendary Horror Nights characters
What makes Horror Night Academy special is that popular characters from different eras all appear together.
The characters officially announced for 2026 are Chainsaw Zombies, Dr. Chaos, DJ X, the Ringmaster, Hamikuma, Hamikuma Candy, and Hamikuma Rolly & Pop.
For longtime Horror Nights fans, simply being reunited with characters they never expected to see again is part of the appeal. Even if you do not know the past events, you can still enjoy the lavish 15th-anniversary stage as one distinctive legend after another appears.
Chainsaw Zombies
Chainsaw Zombies are one of the icons of USJ Horror Nights.
In the official 2026 backstory, they are described as violent zombies with a criminal past who were imprisoned for heinous crimes and now rampage with chainsaws in hand.
On stage, pay attention to the raw “zombie horror” that differs from characters such as Hamikuma. They help show that the 15th anniversary is not only about cute characters, but also a look back at the original fear at the heart of Horror Nights.
Dr. Chaos
Dr. Chaos is another name longtime Horror Nights fans will not want to miss.
If you remember his past stage appearances, watching what role he takes in the 2026 “Academy” setting can add another layer of fun beyond simply seeing him return.
He appeared in 2019.
He calls guests “gentlemen.” His mysterious triangular pose is especially memorable.
To wipe out all zombies, he controlled monsters and even summoned a giant monster on stage to eliminate them.
DJ X
DJ X debuted in 2021. In 2026, he is named as one of the “special instructors.”
For people who know DJ X, one attraction is seeing how the excitement of the past is revived on the 15th-anniversary stage. First-time viewers can also easily experience the USJ-style combination of horror and music that energizes the night.
Since he appeared in the 10th anniversary year of Horror Nights, that may be why he was called “X.”
DJ X’s stage show calls on guests to unleash themselves and expose human desire, dark swirling desire, and the evil hidden deep inside the heart.
Ringmaster
The Ringmaster has also been officially announced as a 2026 character.
With characters from different eras gathered in one show, the appeal is not only who appears, but also how their very different worlds connect on a single “Academy” stage.
Hamikuma, Hamikuma Candy, and Hamikuma Rolly & Pop
Hamikuma, one of the signature characters of USJ Halloween in recent years, also appears. Hamikuma Candy and Hamikuma Rolly & Pop join the lineup as well.
Hamikuma fans may want to watch each character’s look, movements, and position on stage. Alternating between taking in the full dance and focusing closely on a favorite character makes it easier to enjoy how much is happening in a single performance.
Video: Hamikuma’s stage debut year
Look back on 15 years at once with “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD”
Alongside the characters, another major highlight is the music that has energized Horror Nights over the years.
At Horror Night Academy in 2026, guests dance to “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD”!
Having all three songs in the same show is something special to the 15th anniversary. For people who have experienced Horror Nights year after year, hearing each song may instantly bring back memories of that year’s zombies and dances.
First-time visitors can also listen to the songs before going. You do not have to memorize the choreography; simply knowing the music can make it easier to feel connected to the stage.
Pay attention to the “Academy” setting, too
This is more than a simple reunion show of past characters.
The story is set in a school at night, where zombie classmates in tattered uniforms gather in the classroom. DJ X, Hamikuma and others become “special instructors,” and a special class begins to teach 15 years of fear.
By presenting past characters as “teachers” and guests as “members of the class,” the show brings the entire 15-year history together into one story.
Rather than filming characters from beginning to end, try following the story—“What lesson are we in now?” and “Who will appear next as an instructor?” That can make the meaning of the “Academy” title even more enjoyable.
Seeing DJ X standing in front of the lectern makes him look like a music teacher.
Five years ago, he performed from a DJ booth on stage.
How first-timers and repeat visitors can enjoy the show
For your first Horror Nights, focus on the characters and the three songs
You do not need to know the past 15 years.
Start by watching the characters, including Hamikuma, and listening for the three songs “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD.” You can quickly see that Horror Nights is not only scary—it is also an event where everyone gets swept up in the excitement together.
Afterward, head to Street Zombies or Zombie de Dance and you can enjoy the feeling that the world you saw on stage has spread throughout the park.
Repeat visitors can connect it with their own Horror Nights history
If you have been visiting Horror Nights for years, simply checking who appears would be a missed opportunity.
Thinking “I danced here in the year of this song” or “I was shocked the first time I saw this character” and connecting the show with your own Horror Nights memories is a very 15th-anniversary way to enjoy it.
Watching a little past footage before your visit can also make it easier to notice what has changed in the 2026 version and what parts of the production have been carried forward.
Separate a photo-focused viewing from a full-stage viewing
The more favorite characters you have, the more tempting it is to follow them constantly through your smartphone.
If you can watch more than once, consider using the first viewing to enjoy the full stage and story, then using the second to focus on favorite characters and photos.
Even if you can only watch once, film only the moments when your favorite character appears and spend the rest of the time taking in the full space—including the lighting, music, and dance. That makes it easier to feel the energy of the 15th-anniversary show.
Horror Night Academy Special Viewing Area tickets start at ¥2,100
“Halloween Horror Night Academy: 15 Years of Screams” offers a “Special Viewing Area Admission Ticket” for watching from a designated area in Gramercy Park.
Prices start at ¥2,100 including tax and vary by admission date.
This ticket is best suited to people making Hamikuma or the returning characters a major purpose of their USJ trip. If you want to prioritize this show during Horror Nights, securing a viewing area in advance can be a significant advantage.
On the other hand, if horror attractions are your top priority and you only want to see the show if timing works out, consider it together with your overall budget for the day.
For overall Horror Nights Express Pass options, another page explains how to choose based on whether you want to prioritize Resident Evil or Chainsaw Man and Factory of Fear. This article focuses on the Special Viewing Area Admission Ticket for visitors who want to prioritize Horror Night Academy.
How to combine it with the rest of Horror Nights
Rather than seeing only Horror Night Academy, combining it with Street Zombies or Zombie de Dance before or after the show can make the 15th-anniversary theme feel more complete.
In 2026, Street Zombies has been announced on the largest scale ever, while Zombie de Dance uses “SO BAD.” The final performance of the day is also scheduled to feature “Playback Zombie de Dance: Halloween Horror Night 15th Anniversary,” with “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD.”
Experience the returning characters and songs together at Horror Night Academy, dive into zombie fear on the streets, and finish by dancing to legendary numbers. If you want the 15th anniversary to be the centerpiece of your night, this flow works especially well.
Summary: Experience 15 years of USJ Horror Nights on one stage
“Halloween Horror Night Academy: 15 Years of Screams” is a special stage that symbolizes Horror Nights in 2026.
Chainsaw Zombies, Dr. Chaos, DJ X, the Ringmaster, Hamikuma and other returning characters gather together, while “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD” look back on 15 years of fear and excitement.
Longtime Horror Nights fans can enjoy the “reunion,” while first-time visitors can get a concentrated sense of what USJ Horror Nights is all about.
As your visit approaches, check the official show schedule and consider building your evening around Horror Night Academy.
Horror Night Academy FAQ
When is Horror Night Academy held?
It is scheduled from Friday, September 11 through Sunday, November 8, 2026. Start times vary by day and can be checked on the official show schedule from about one week before your planned visit.
Which characters appear?
Chainsaw Zombies, Dr. Chaos, DJ X, the Ringmaster, Hamikuma, Hamikuma Candy, and Hamikuma Rolly & Pop have been officially announced. The more you know past Horror Nights, the more you can enjoy this lineup crossing different eras.
Can I enjoy it if I do not know past Horror Nights?
Yes. Focus on the characters and the three songs “Rat-tat-tat,” “Show,” and “SO BAD,” and even first-time visitors can easily experience both the “fear and excitement” of Horror Nights.
How much is the Special Viewing Area Admission Ticket?
Prices start at ¥2,100 including tax and vary by admission date. It is an easy ticket to consider if Horror Night Academy is one of your top priorities for this visit.
Can I enter USJ with only the Special Viewing Area Admission Ticket?
No. You also need a Studio Pass or other ticket that provides admission to USJ.
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