I Looked for Resident Evil Requiem Merch in Japan Ahead of Release and Found Something Even Better
More merch means more money, and fans are happy too. Talk about a win-win.
After finishing Resident Evil Requiem, I knew I had to look for some products while visiting Japan. I’ve visited the land of the rising sun a few times, so I know how to get around, looking for any gaming-related merch.
I thought it would be easy, especially since the promotion of Resident Evil Requiem was almost everywhere. It was surprisingly hard at first, but I ended up finding something better than what I was looking for.
Struggling to Find Any Resident Evil Requiem Merch Even With All the Promotions
Initially, I was stumped, looking around the Capcom Cafe in Ikebukuro and not finding a single Resident Evil Requiem merch, or actually any Resident Evil product at all. I thought it would’ve been a given, going through a Capcom store and finding merch on one of their biggest franchises, which also has an upcoming main title release.
I looked into the crane games, which mostly had Monster Hunter-related merch, including a unique collaboration between Monster Hunter and Hololive. After a while, I went up to the cafe, hoping to see something Resident Evil in the small store, but still nothing. It was mostly Monster Hunter and Street Fighter.
It was honestly shocking. I’ve seen Resident Evil Requiem almost everywhere. There are posters in tech buildings like Sofmap, cardboard cutouts, and trailers showing on TV in Radio Kaikan, and even posters in subways featuring RE9 and Hamilton.
Shibuya Parco Saves the Day
After losing a bit of hope, I still tried the Capcom store at Shibuya Parco, and it did not disappoint. They had tiny first aid sprays as alcohol spray bottles, a Nemesis hat, handgun ammo lunchboxes, Umbrella office supplies, and more.
From all the things mentioned, nothing really strikes you if you are looking for some Resident Evil Requiem merch, meaning finding Grace Ashcroft or old-man Leon S. Kennedy, maybe even Emily.
Only until I looked to the side of the counter, where I found something even better, the 30th anniversary celebration of the Resident Evil franchise.
They had acrylics and charms of most of the main protagonists, including Resident Evil Requiem’s new main character, Grace Ashcroft. They also had a Biohazard 30th Anniversary tote bag featuring all the main characters: Leon, Claire, Jill, Chris, Grace, and Ada.
To no surprise, I took most of these merch to bring home. It did get me thinking… why a few characters got left out, like Sherry Birkin or Rebecca Chambers. The same goes for popular villains like Albert Wesker or Mr. X. Something could be planned for the future as early as now, and exciting times are ahead.
I only wish they pushed out more products for Resident Evil, knowing that they also had a 30th anniversary ongoing. I mean… Pokémon is also celebrating its 30th anniversary, and those Pokémon Centers are everywhere, even one beside the Capcom Store in Shibuya Parco, pushing out so much merch both for its upcoming Pokémon Pokopia game and the 30th anniversary. Might’ve been a missed opportunity there, but at least Resident Evil Requiem turned out amazing. Here’s a spoiler-free RE9 review if you are interested!
