Weekly Review of Transit, Place and Culture in Anime 168

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

Osomatsu-san Tokyo locations
Nihon Keizai Shimbun published an article about pop culture tourism to Toshima Ward and Ōme, Tokyo Metropolis for Osomatsu-san.

Shizuoka Haruchika collaboration
Chunichi Shimbun (article), Mantanweb (article) and Netorabo (article) published coverage of the official tourism collaboration between P.A. Works series Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru and the Shizuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with a special exhibition to run from March 15 to 25, and additional campaigns including tie-ins with local transit operators from April 1 to September 30.

Myriad Colors Phantom World

(無彩限のファントム・ワールド Musaigen no Fantomu Wārudo)

Fan Pilgrimage Update

@touyoko_com made a pilgrimage to Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture for Episode 10.

@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Kamakura, Fujisawa and Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture for the OP/Episode 1, Episode 2/3, Episode 4/5, Episode 6/7 and Episode 8/9.

Episode 10

Kamakura (鎌倉), Kanagawa Prefecture. This slope is near Nishi-Kamakura Station (西鎌倉駅).

Walking south toward the seaside, along Prefectural Route 21, the main arterial road through the center of Kamakura

I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could make it from Kamakura Station to the beach in geta. Itai, itai!

Vendor stalls setup for summer fireworks display

Namerigawa intersection (滑川交差点)

Yuigahama (由比ヶ浜) beach

Erased

(僕だけがいない街 Boku Dake ga Inai Machi)

Fan Pilgrimage Update

@SSEBTBM883 (updated post) made a pilgrimage to Tomakomai, Hokkaido Prefecture for Episode 5 through Episode 10.

Episode 10

Tomakomai (苫小牧), Iburi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō Prefecture. This week, we see more of the substantial investment, at least during the period depicted in the story, in public space along the river embankment (土手 dote).

Yanagihara travels by bus to the after school event.

Tomakomai Hakuchō Arena (苫小牧市白鳥アリーナ)

So, Satoru is not having a good day, it seems.

She and Her Cat -Everything Flows-

(彼女と彼女の猫 -Everything Flows- Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko -Everything Flows-)

Episode 2

Yellow hats are given to young school children as a means to increase their visibility on the street and alert drivers to the presence of commuters who are in the process of learning road safety. By the end of elementary school, many children with walk or take public transit to school unsupervised.

Special signs mark roads that are designated walking routes to schools.

River embankment (土手 dote)

Neighborhood park

Tobidashibōya (飛び出し坊や) are signs depicting something “leaping out”, usually a small boy, to alert drivers to the presence of children in a neighborhood.

Haruchika – Haruta & Chika

( ハルチカ〜ハルタとチカは青春する〜 Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru)

Fan Pilgrimage Update

@habusan (updated Field Guide) made a pilgrimage to Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture for Episode 10.

Episode 10

Shimizu City Culture Hall (静岡市民文化会館)

Sunpujō Park (駿府城公園)

Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū

(昭和元禄落語心中)

Episode 10

Honzan Higashi-hongan-ji (本山東本願寺) in Nishi-Asakusa (西浅草), Taitō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis

Tokyo Station (東京駅)

Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉) in Shibukawa (渋川), Gunma Prefecture

[Credit: @sivuchllow, Twitter]

The soba-ya takes its name from a famous shop, Iya Soba Miyoshi-te (祖谷そばもみじ亭), in Miyoshi (三好), Tokushima Prefecture.

[Credit: @sivuchllow, Twitter]

Girls Beyond the Wasteland

(少女たちは荒野を目指す Shōjotachi wa Kōya wo Mezasu)

Episode 10

Most of the episode revolves around meetings held at this coffee shop, used as third place.

Hirakata Bay (平潟湾) in Kanazawa-Hakkei, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Akihabara UDX (秋葉原UDX)

Prince of Stride: Alternative

(プリンス・オブ・ストライド　オルタナティブ Purinsu Obu Sutoraido Orutanatibu)

Episode 10

I can’t speak to how much this reflects real life experiences, but use of the river embankment (土手 dote) as a stage to show the transition from carefree childhood to the struggle of finding identity as a young adult is a well-traveled trope in anime.

Riku’s tension to find his own purpose independent of his accomplished older brother had come to a breaking point on a dote several years before the events of the show. It resurfaces in the current training.

His angst is contrasted with the elementary school aged children playing on the flat area by the river, as he sits up on the slope and gazes in their direction.

Often, at least in anime, a friend passes by and stops to see what’s eating at you.

Keiō Line (京王線)

The two of you talk things over for a bit.

Before you know it, you’re starting to feel a little lighter.

You may still experience setbacks.

But ultimately, the dote keeps you going, pushing you toward the break in the clouds.

Mighty is the power of the anime dote.

Active Raid

(アクティヴレイド機動強襲室第八係 Akutive Reido Kidō Kyōshūshitsu Dai-Hakkei)

Episode 10

Graphic of the Yamanote Line (山手線) displayed on the Studio Alta (スタジオアルタ) jumbotron, a popular meeting point facing the east entrance of Shinjuku Station