Welcome to TOKYO BEAT - a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. For decades, among Japan’s biggest exports has been manga and anime – and demand is at an all-time high with serial translations, international film releases, streaming co-productions, and events like the upcoming Tokyo Anime Awards Festival 2020 (March 13-16) and AnimeJapan 2020 (March 21-24). For all levels of fans, here’s a comprehensive list of must-see destinations to enjoy in this mecca of manga and anime.
The Essentials Hayao Miyazaki is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names associated with anime, and his Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is equally successful in touching one’s imagination with its architecture life size displays, short film screenings, rooms filled with artwork, food inspired by the Ghibli films, and collectibles for sale. For fans of the immensely popular manga and anime series One Piece, the Tokyo One Piece Tower theme park at the foot of Tokyo Tower offers attractions, games, and merchandise will make them feel like they’re living out the adventure themselves. When in Akihabara, the Unicorn Gundam statue is almost unavoidable, and taking a picture at the foot of this impressive 65-foot tall robot is essential for both fans and non-fans alike. Also in the neighborhood is Tokyo Anime Center at DNP Plaza, whose rotating exhibitions focus on popular anime productions (which change monthly) that provide insight into how these shows are made. Finally, aspiring artists can head to the Suginami Animation Museum, where among great exhibitions they can also try their hand at making their own short anime.
For Deep Divers Connoisseurs have plenty of opportunities to see how the history of manga and anime are deeply interlaced with Tokyo, starting with Toshima-ku Tokiwa-so Manga Museum. This former residential building is significant to the origins of the manga industry, as artists including Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy), Fujiko F. Fujio (Doraemon) and Fujio Akatsuka (Genius Bakabon) all lived and toiled away here at the start of their careers. For years, the building has been a popular ‘rest spot’ for fans but has now been restored and is reopening as a museum on March 22nd. Admirers of the hilarious Bakabon can gain further insight into Akatsuka’s legendary joke writing and drawing process at Ome Akatsuka Fujio Museum, where many of the artist’s manuscripts are on display inside a charming, traditional building. To celebrate Gundam’s now 40-year reign as one of the most iconic of robots, devotees should head to Gundam Café in Akihabara where every element – including the food – is designed after the multiple series it has spawned.
Borderline Obsessed Practitioners of Cosplay (costume play) will want to head to the neighborhood of Ikebukuro, which is continuing to evolve into a major pop-culture and arts destination. Here, ACOS Ikebukuro Main Store has all of the clothes, wigs, and accessories that pros and amateurs would want for their next appearance. Gourmands seeking anime-themed eating or drinking in Tokyo are also in luck. Kitaro Chaya is ideal for Kitaro of the Graveyard fans who want a ghostly atmosphere to pair with their food and drink. 44Sonic Anime Bar is an anime karaoke bar in Asagaya that was designed to satisfy the high standards of otaku (pop culture obsessives). And Robot Kichi is the perfect option for cocktail drinkers who also want to be surrounded by their favorite robot figurines. And if that’s not enough, Sunshine City Prince Hotel concept rooms are regularly taken over by popular anime that take over the designs of the bedding, decorations and more. An anime-centered stay ensures that visitors will never have to take a break from living out their fantasy.
For more information on exploring manga and anime culture in Tokyo, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and Gotokyo.org/en/
To visit the archives, visit: www.japansolutionusa.com/tokyobeat
Comentarios