Welcome to this week’s review of notable instances of public transit use and urban design, as well as discussion of place identity and culture, through anime currently broadcast or screening in Japan and simulcast internationally via the web. This review also documents seichijunrei (聖地巡礼 sacred site pilgrimage) and butaitanbou (舞台探訪 scene hunting)—on this website referred to collectively as anime pilgrimage—which are forms of place-based engagement induced by the use of real locations in show settings.
Media and General Interest
Masugata Tamako goods
Kyoto Shimbun ran an article about the Tamako Market/Tamako Love Story t-shirts sold by Self Kishimoto-ya in the Demachi Masugata Shōtengai.
Brynhildr in the Darkness
(極黒のブリュンヒルデ Gokukoku no Buryunhirude)
Episode 9
We wrap up the previous episode’s stop in Karuizawa (軽井沢), Nagano Prefecture.
After eight weeks of being teased in the opening credits, we finally see a bit of the commercial center of Matsumoto (松本), anchored by a branch of the Parco (パルコ) department store.
Matsumoto Castle (松本城)
Nakamachi-dōri (中町通り) is a street with preserved Edo period merchant warehouses, now turned into a shopping district and tourist attraction, a bit like Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo.
Love Live! School Idol Project
(ラブライブ! School idol project Rabu Raibu! Sukūru aidoru purojekuto)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@lovelivesukufes made a pilgrimage to Ikedazaka, Kandabashi and Marunouchi (all Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo) for Episode 9.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Ochanomizu, Tokyo for Episode 8.
Episode 9
Shin-Marunouchi Building (新丸の内ビルディング) faces and is connected underground with Tokyo Station. The building owner, Mitsubishi Estate, negotiated a deal to buy unused and unneeded air space rights from Tokyo Station owner and operator East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The proceeds enabled the recent and massive historic preservation effort that restored the original building to its pre-WWII state. The “Shin-Maru Biru” and other adjacent properties are part of significant transit-oriented redevelopment of the Marunouchi area.
Ikedazaka (池田坂)
Kanda Bridge (神田橋)
Though all of the members make it to Marunouchi in time for the concert at the end of the episode, there is one thing conspicuously missing: Tokyo Station!
One Week Friends
(一週間フレンズ。 Isshūkan Furenzu.)
Episode 9
Study group convenes at Fujimiya’s home in a residential part of Tama (多摩), Toyko Metropolis.
As always, the morning commute includes a walk through Minamidaira 8-chōme (南平８丁目) in Hino (日野), Tokyo Metropolis.
Mekakucity Actors
(メカクシティアクターズ Mekakushiti Akutāzu)
Episode 8
Gloriously wide pedestrian lane on this bridge, and some nice colors too!
The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
(僕らはみんな河合荘 Bokura wa Minna Kawai-sō)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@kbt_tigers1985 made a pilgrimage to Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture for Episode 4.
Other Pilgrimage
@tsuruga_mega took the limited edition Tamako Market post cards sold by Lawson and posed each character in front of the neighborhood or rail station for which they are named.
@ts_kobaya made a video pilgrimage to the Shōnan coastal area along the Sagami Bay for Ping Pong.
@ye_bi_su (post – Check out the use of a fisheye lens!), @monotsukura (post) and @hiroina_7916ltd (post) made pilgrimages to Mikuni in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture for the PVs to Glasslip.
@sky_dj_ made a pilgrimage to Fukue-jima, one of the Gotō Islands off the coast of Kyūshū in Nagasaki Prefecture, for the second PV to Barakamon.
@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Yokohama and Jōgashima, Kanagawa Prefecture for the second episode of OVA Zetsumetsu Kigu Shōjo: Amazing Twins. Appears to have been an advance screening, as the official release date is 2014 June 25.
@cairn_07 made a pilgrimage to Kōriyama, as well as a journey along the JR Tadami Line to Kaneyama and Aizuwakamatsu (all Fukushima Prefecture) for Mikakunin de Shinkōkei.
@yomikatajiyu made a pilgrimage to Yokohama, Aomori Prefecture (not Kanagawa) for Clannad After Story.
