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.
Sound! Euphonium
(響け! ユーフォニアム Hibike! Yūfoniamu)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@ye_bi_su (post), @mi_kawana (update: post), @thunder_cycle (updates: post 1, post 2, post 3), @kbt_tigers1985 (post), @R_ada_cchi (post 1, post 2) and @ewi (update: post) made pilgrimages to Uji, Kyoto Prefecture for Episode 12.
@seki_saima made a pilgrimage to Uji for Episode 11.
Episode 12
Kumiko practices on the bench overlooking the Uji River (宇治川), along Ajirogi no michi (あじろぎの道). @ye_bi_su‘s keen eyes picked out the increase in the water level of the river, resulting from drainage of the upstream Amagase Dam (天ヶ瀬ダム), a subtle detail that might even escape locals or devoted seichijunrei (pop culture tourism) visitors. Such is Kyoto Animation’s fastidious attention to realism.
JR Nara Line (JR 奈良線)
Kumiko and Aoi meet in passing on Ajirogi no michi.
Todō Senior High School (莵道高校). Students walk to school on the morning commute.
On the evening commute home from school, Midori, Kumiko and Hazuki wait for the Keihan Uji Line (京阪宇治線) at Ōbaku Station (黄檗駅).
Kumiko’s sprint of exasperation begins in front of Keihan Uji Station (京阪宇治駅).
Bus shelter
Uji Bridge (宇治橋)
JR Nara Line
Embankment (土手 dote) along the Uji River, near the Asagiri Bridge (朝霧橋)
Todō Senior High School
Near Hadoyama Ryokuchi Park (羽戸山緑地)
Kumiko asks Reina to meet her outside Keihan Uji Station for an impromptu conversation.
Kyoto Concert Hall (京都コンサートホール)
The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan
(長門有希ちゃんの消失 Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@thunder_cycle made a pilgrimage to (updates: post 1, post 2, post 3) Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture and (new: post 4) Demachi, Sakyō Ward, Kyoto for Episode 13.
Episode 13
Ginsui Bridge (銀水橋) in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture
For Nagato’s special day out, the trio make a trek to Kyoto (about 90 minutes by train), to attend a book fair setup in Tadasu no Mori (糺の森), the forested sanctuary that contains the Kamo shrines.
They eat lunch near the front entrance to Shimogamo Jinja (下鴨神社).
Back to Nishinomiya, arriving at Kōyōen Station (甲陽園駅)
Ticket wicket
Hyogo Performing Arts Center (兵庫県立芸術文化センター)
Nagato and Asakura have a bento picnic lunch in Takamatsu Park (高松公園), part of the grounds of the performing arts center. All of this is adjacent to Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station (西宮北口駅).
Nishinomiya City Central Library (西宮市立中央図書館)
It appears as if Kyon covers a large distance, but he’s actually just cycling around the northwest quadrant adjacent to Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi Station.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!
(やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。続 Yahari Ore no Seishun Rabu Kome wa Machigatteiru. Zoku)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@ngwrb made a pilgrimage to Kaihin-Makuhari, Mihama Ward, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture for Season 1, Episode 11.
Episode 13
Kasairinkaikōen Station (葛西臨海公園駅)
Kasai Rinkai Park (葛西臨海公園) in Rinkai, Edogawa Ward, Tokyo Metropolis
In Hachiman’s flashback: Chiba Port Park (千葉ポートパーク)
Kasai Rinkai Park
Diamond and Flower Ferris Wheel (ダイヤと花の大観覧車)
Other Pilgrimage
@tianlangxing made a pilgrimage to the Shibuya central business district and Yoyogi Park in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for upcoming Hosoda Mamoru film Bakemono no Ko.
@gromit1446 made a pilgrimage to Jashumon cafe in Daita, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for theatrical films Gekijōban Kyōkai no Kanata I’ll Be Here.
@BloodRambo made a pilgrimage to Fushimi Ward, Kyoto for Gekijōban Kyōkai no Kanata I’ll Be Here: Mirai-hen, the second of the two films.
@rimatai made a pilgrimage to Harajuku, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo.
@mi_kawana made a pilgrimage to Kumano Hongū Taisha in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture for Kantai Collection.
@cairn_07 made a pilgrimage to Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture for Tamayura: More Aggressive.
@mikkatatsu made a pilgrimage to Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture for Captain Earth.