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 holy land pilgrimage) and butaitanbou (舞台探訪 scene hunting), which are pop culture tourism and place-based engagement induced by the use of real locations in show settings.
Special Note: The review will be on break next week while I’m traveling in Japan. I’ll roll everything into a double issue the following week.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid
(小林さんちのメイドラゴン Kobayashi-san Chi no Meidoragon)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture for Episode 3.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Koshigaya for Episode 2.
Episode 3
Based on context it’s assumed that Kobayashi’s search for a larger apartment is limited to Koshigaya (越谷), Saitama Prefecture, though the buildings they visit in the search do not appear to exist, at least not at the locations depicted.
With this view from the rooftop, the building they choose would be located on the south side of the river, east of Koshigaya Station.
Shirakobato Bridge ( しらこばと橋)
At the end of a long day and running on muscle memory, Kobayashi unintentionally walks to her previous apartment to the west of the station.
Communication is emerging as a recurring theme. When people (and dragons) from different backgrounds and at different stages of life share walls, commons and public spaces, talking through conflicts and uncovering congruent interests is essential for resolving problems.
Higashi-Nihonbashi (東日本橋), Chūō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis.
March comes in like a lion
(3月のライオン Sangatsu no Raion)
Fan Pilgrimage Update
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Sendagaya, Shibuya Ward; Shinkawa and Tsukuda; Chūō Ward; and Kamata, Ōta Ward for Episode 15.
Episode 15
Japan Shōgi Association (日本将棋連盟) in Sendagaya (千駄ヶ谷), Shibuya Ward
Kasumigaokamachi (霞ヶ丘町)
Japan Shōgi Association
Tsukuda (small) Bridge (佃小橋)
Though the noren and lower part of the shopfront are modeled on Kotobuki-dō in Nihonbashi-Ningyōchō (日本橋人形町), from the gutters up the building is different.
Shinkawa (新川), Chūō Ward
Japan Shōgi Association
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen
(昭和元禄落語心中 -助六再び篇-)
Episode 4
Okazu Yokochō (おかず横丁) in Torigoe, Taitō Ward
Azuma Bridge (吾妻橋) and Komagata Bridge (駒形橋)
Special Items
Media and General Interest
@ts_kobaya made his television debut, introducing Kimi no Na wa. locations in Tokyo for a program produced by Franco-German public network ARTE. Many thanks to @q87dt for locating the segment, which can be streamed online in French or German (Kobaya appears at 1:40).
昨年末にフランスの公共放送ARTEから取材の依頼があって、
映画「君の名は。」の舞台となった新宿の須賀神社とかを案内したんだけど、、で、その後放送された映像を観ました。( ﾟдﾟ)
ホントに僕出てるw(本名もw) pic.twitter.com/jmYwKmmBAv— kobaya (@ts_kobaya) January 27, 2017
Kobe Shimbun published an article summarizing trends in local governments leveraging seichijunrei to drive tourism. It cautions that “business-ization” of fan driven behaviors has the potential to deter, not encourage visitors.
Gifu Shimbun published an article about the Gifu Anime Fair, a marketing event in Tokyo featuring artwork from Kimi no Na wa., Koe no Katachi and Rudorufu to Ippaiattena to promote anime-induced tourism to Gifu Prefecture.
Sagaprise, a regional organization promoting Saga Prefecture, published a blog post about a planned events in Tokyo and Karatsu, part of a marketing collaboration leveraging pop culture tourism for Yūri!!! on ICE. Media coverage: Biglobe News, animate Times, Comic Natalie.
Bunka Shimbun published an article about pop culture tourism to Hannō, Saitama Prefecture for Yama no Susume.
Future Season Pilgrimage
@lidges made a pilgrimage to Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture for Yūki Yūna wa Yūsha de Aru -Washio Sumi no Shō-.
@1000th_summer made a pilgrimage to Ageo, Saitama Prefecture for manga Tsugumomo. An anime adaptation will premiere 2017 April.
Other Current Season Pilgrimage
@Surwill compiled a combined Street View tour and on-location pilgrimage for Akiba’s Trip.
@ssslocation made a pilgrimage to Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture for Gabriel DropOut Episode 1 through Episode 4.
@kortoku made a pilgrimage to Waseda, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for BanG Dream!
@touyoko_com made a pilgrimage (updated post) to Tama, Tokyo Metropolis for Kuzu no Honkai.
@Barnirun made a pilgrimage (updates: post 1, post 2) to Osaka for Hand Shakers through Episode 3.
Past Season Pilgrimage
@shira_ry made a pilgrimage to Harajuku, Meiji-jingū, Shin-Yokohama Station, Narita Airport and Haneda Airport for Sōshin Shōjo Matoi.
@donko824 made a pilgrimage to (post 1) Tokyo locations; and (post 2) to Hida locations, the 2017 Hida-Furukawa Santera Mairi, and special exhibition of Shinkai Makoto film art the Hida City Museum of Art for Kimi no Na wa.
