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.
Media and General Interest
Otapol published an article about the eighth annual One Hour Bicycle Tour from Tagiri Station to Inashi Station in Nagano Prefecture, inspired by OVA Kyūkyoku Chōjin R.
Magmix published an interview with contents tourism researcher Okamoto Takeshi, discussing opportunities and pitfalls of using anime seichijunrei to drive tourism. Okamoto cautions against heavy-handed commercialization, warning this will have a deterrent effect.
Yamatogokoro published an article series (part 1, part 2, part 3) discussing a range of uses of contents tourism to promote inbound tourism, touching on seichijunrei among many topics. It briefly mentions foreign visitors traveling to Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture for Slam Dunk and Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture for Chihayafuru.
Chūnichi Shimbun published an article about the Girly Air Force marketing campaign to encourage visitors to Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, a collaboration between JTB, Anime Tourism Association and Komatsu Tourism Product Network. The campaign will be in effect from April 19 to September 30, includes a stamp rally, and for guests staying at designated hotels will offer limited edition goods and Waon points (cash equivalent) limited to Komatsu.
Current Season Pilgrimage
@flyingbird1124 made a pilgrimage (updated post) to Denenchōfu, Ōta Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Fruits Basket (2019) Episode 4 through Episode 6.
@tianlangxing made a pilgrimage (updated post) to Asakusa, Taitō Ward; Azumabashi and Tokyo Skytree Station (Oshiage), Sumida Ward (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Sarazanmai Episode 5.
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Asakusa and Azumabashi for Sarazanmai Episode 4 and Episode 5.
@pastak made a pilgrimage to Uji, Kyoto Prefecture for Hibike! Euphonium: Chikai no Finale.
Past Season Pilgrimage
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture for Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202 Ai no Senshi-tachi.
@lidges made a pilgrimage to Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy for Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow.
@kazupi made a pilgrimage to Alberobello, Italy for Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara Episode 10.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture for Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara Episode 6.
@shira_ry made a pilgrimage to Harajuku, Shibuya Ward; Omotesandō, Minato Ward; Komazawakōen, Setagaya Ward for Anima Yell!
@ad_motsu made a pilgrimage to Takasaki and Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture for Yama no Susume Third Season.
@Surwill made a pilgrimage to Yamanashi Prefecture for Yurucamp. This post is epic, do check it out!
@york21c made a pilgrimage to Sapporo, Hokkaidō Prefecture and aboard the Shin Nihonkai Ferry for Eiga Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! Take On Me.
@Hidamarie_win made a pilgrimage to Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture for Love Live! Sunshine!!
@rica0867 made a pilgrimage to Hida, Gifu Prefecture for Kimi no Na wa.
@mikehattsu made a pilgrimage to Inokashira Park in Mitaka, and Sumida Park in Mukōjima, Sumida Ward (both Tokyo Metropolis) for Love Live! The School Idol Movie.
@mikehattsu made a pilgrimage to Shimoigusa, Suginami Ward; Nakai, Shinjuku Ward; Takanodai and Minamitanaka, Nerima, Nerima Ward (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso.
@kimamanidance made a pilgrimage to Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture for Fate/stay night.
4 comments
Carlos Ross says:
May 22, 2019
Whew, just finished a marathon read of the Weekly Review, starting from Week One.
I’m actually really curious now if you are aware of any blogs or twitter feeds devoted to the depiction of birds and other wildlife in anime. I had a discussion on this with a few friends of mine who are crossover anime fans/birders, and of course, there are the obvious nods to shows like Yuru Camp, Non Non Biyori, and Yama no Susume, but I even noticed a fairly accurate depiction of a wild bird in the new Fruits Basket series.
Of course, all of my birder/anime friends are US based so there’s not a lot of access to Japanese blogs (and I’d probably be the only one with the ability to read them) … it seems like overall these depictions tend to be pretty stereotyped, though (see: a thousand poorly drawn silhouettes of Black Kites with their stock sound whistling cries as they soar over the inevitable Shonan beach scene).
(Plus my experiences is that birders in Japan are virtually never anime/manga otaku and vice versa.)
Woo, tangent!
Keep on keeping on!
Michael says:
May 30, 2019
That’s kind of crazy. Are you ok!? (^^)
Top of my head, I am not aware of anime-birder crossover analysis, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Maybe this could be your thing.
Single topic blogs I have come across include ramen (one guy just records every instance of Ramen Jiro in anime), trains, manhole covers.
Sorry for the slow replies. The past two weeks I had a huge time and energy-suck from something I really didn’t want to do but had no choice: https://twitter.com/mjvito/status/1133367727391817728
Carlos Ross says:
May 30, 2019
Oh good gravy, that time sink sounds like quite a pain. You have my sympathy (and that on top of parenthood!).
I actually did the bulk of my writing on anime in the pre-blogging era, but there are times I am inspired to get back in the saddle, as it were. I’m honestly not so great at keeping up with things on Twitter … saw too many friends and colleagues get burned hard by that medium, especially as fractious and sadly mean spirited as a lot of anime and gaming fandom has become in the States.
(Plus I’ve seen a lot of harassment of my Jeopardy! colleagues on social media, which is disappointing, but also unsurprising. It really feels like the US has become a place where curiosity and scholarship are becoming less valued by the day. But, yeah, another tangent, and I know I’m not good at being succinct!)
Michael says:
Jun 7, 2019
I’ve had ups and downs with Twitter. It took a long time, but eventually I understood I needed to become a filter power user, so I could harness it for very specific needs and only use it with intention. I don’t do mindless scrolling anymore.
I’ve observed the meanness, though fortunately haven’t had it directed at me so far. Hard to predict the future, but my inclination would be to ignore, mute or block as appropriate. Constructive debate and civil disagreement is welcomed and encouraged. I don’t have time or patience for anything less than that.