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
Butaitanbou dōjinshi in Yomiuri Shimbun
Prolific butaitanbou-sha Ebisu (夷 @ye_bi_su) received a spotlight in the Yomiuri Shimbun for his Hibike! Euphonium themed dōjinshi, which delve deeply into Uji culture through interviews with local artisans, as well as discussion of Kyoto Animation production process. He was interviewed for the article as his most recent volume was about to debut at Comiket 96 in Tokyo. Ebisu has mixed feelings about the attention. He finds it difficult to be happy when he knows the sudden interest in Kyoani-related matters is a direct result of the July 18 arson attack, but at the same time he is glad that the local culture and art topics are receiving widespread attention through mainstream media.
本日の読売新聞夕刊にて、「同人誌制作を通じて京アニにエールを」という趣旨で、取材に応じた記事が掲載。京都総局の記者の方は事件と我々を好奇な目で見るのではなく、こちらの語る事に非常に真摯に向き合っていただき、文面にも滲み出ています。同人作家達の京アニへの尊敬と祈り、届いて欲しい。 pic.twitter.com/9Uws2Fk2Gy
— 夷(ゑびす)@「聖地移住」通販中 (@ye_bi_su) August 9, 2019
Comiket 96
Summer Comiket was held August 9-12 at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Kōtō Ward. As has become the norm, butaitanbou and seichijunrei oriented works were in ample supply. I plan to pickup a few of these on trips to Japan this fall.
設営完了!!
それでは本日は西3ホール Q-32a『HBT』にてお待ちしております! pic.twitter.com/vka0EibjSq
— セキ@次走未定 (@seki_saima) August 9, 2019
設営完了です。
自分一人では、こんなにうまく出来ません。 pic.twitter.com/OjqhDsCepl— inish (@Roan_Inish) August 9, 2019
日々是妄想ほぼ設置完了です。西 と-03aのユーフォ島です〜#C96 #anime_eupho pic.twitter.com/vFC2nsUr9h
— 夷(ゑびす)@「聖地移住」通販中 (@ye_bi_su) August 10, 2019
つればしサークル設営完了しました!
南1ホールソ30aでお待ちしております! #yuyuyu pic.twitter.com/z6oKQjCDWA— リジス (@lidges) August 10, 2019
本日3日目(日)
西4ホールE-37b「SIBYLLES」様に
らき☆すたうぉーかー2019夏号新刊のみ少し委託しております^^ #C96 #コミケ
豆本とかかわいいお話のサークル様です>w< お立ち寄りください pic.twitter.com/Gi0FJYyBUz— 刑部伊月(いづき) (@bluetwintail) August 11, 2019
3日目南3ヤ-34a さざなみ壊変
です。西3,4と最果てですがお会いできることを楽しみにしています! pic.twitter.com/gTlwvSL6Hd
— かずぴー (@kazupi) August 11, 2019
西館2ホール【と16b】#ゆるふわダイビング部 設営完了しました!新刊『あまんちゅ!DIVERあどばんす』52P フルカラーオフセット 1,000円で頒布、各種既刊もあります #あまんちゅ #ぐらんぶる の #舞台探訪 #ダイビング 本、よろしくお願いします! pic.twitter.com/80ch2kNYRP
— ゆるふわダイビング部@新刊🐯委託中 (@yuruhuwa_dive) August 12, 2019
Lucky Star mikoshi at Yasakasai
The Lucky Star mikoshi (らき☆すた神輿) participated in Yasakasai (八坂祭) for the second time on July 28 in Washinomiya, Kuki, Saitama Prefecture, following its first appearance in 2018. Since 2008, the mikoshi, a collaboration between anime fans and local craftsmen, had participated in the Hajisai (土師祭), also in Washinomiya. In 2018 July, the mikoshi appeared at Yasakasai for the first time, but the Hajisai scheduled for 2018 September, what would have been its 36th year, was cancelled. The transition has allowed fan volunteers to continue this tradition of carrying the portable shrine in the celebratory procession through the city.
This year’s festival took on new significance, as it was the first large-scale public event bringing together fans of the Kyoto Animation series after the studio was attacked by an arsonist on July 18, resulting in the death of 35 staff and serious injury to many others. At the time of the event, it was public knowledge that the family of Lucky Star director Takemoto Yasuhiro was unable to contact him, but it had not yet been confirmed that he was one of the victims. Mikoshi bearers held a moment of silence before launching into the procession, where they interspersed the usual chants of character names with cries of “Kyoani!”. Media coverage: Mainichi Shimbun, Sports Hōchi, Jiji
鷲宮の八坂祭、まもなくらき☆すた神輿の渡御も始まります。 #らきすた #PrayForKyoani
アニメ放送から12年。魅力的な作品と熱心なファン、一緒に楽しみ大事にしてくれる地域の人達が揃って今日があります。
美水かがみ先生、京都アニメーションの皆様、現実に愛される作品をありがとうございます>< pic.twitter.com/RJzIvPYbKo— 刑部伊月(いづき) (@bluetwintail) July 28, 2019
鷲宮八坂祭らき☆すた神輿、スタートします!
(^^)#らきすた神輿 #らきすた #鷲宮八坂祭 #らきすた聖地鷲宮 #鷲宮 pic.twitter.com/Ljd8j3fK3i— デブチョコボ14c@ (@debuchokobo14c) July 28, 2019
らき☆すた神輿 出発!!(TwT #PrayForKyoani #らきすた 鷲宮 pic.twitter.com/By9ipU5mMN
— 刑部伊月(いづき) (@bluetwintail) July 28, 2019
Natsumachi at Komoro summer festival
The 47th Komoro Citizens Festival Dokansho (こもろ市民まつりドカンショ) was held August 3 in Komoro, Nagano Prefecture. As has become a recent tradition, fans of Ano Natsu de Matteru were integrated into the long-running local event, forming one of the groups (連 ren) that make up the celebratory procession through the city, aptly referred to as the Natsumachi Ren (なつまち連). Media coverage: Tōshin Journal
小諸ドカンショなつまち連出発ー!! pic.twitter.com/DHzYFkOeHK
— 小諸市なつまちおもてなしプロジェクト (@komoro_NOP) August 3, 2019
奇祭
小諸ドカンショなつまち連 pic.twitter.com/IpBB7igJLW— ふあり (@Fu_a_ri_) August 3, 2019
Haikyū!! event in Karumai
Fans of Haikyū!! gathered for an exchange event organized by the Karumai-machi Tourism Association (軽米町観光協会) in Karumai, Iwate Prefecture on August 3. Participants included visitors from Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan. Media coverage: Daily Tōhoku
Barakamon art exhibit in Gotō
An exhibition of character drawings by Barakamon mangaka Yoshino Satsuki (ヨシノサツキ) and background art by Yamamoto Nizō (山本二三), known for his work on Studio Ghibli films, will be hosted at the Yamamoto Nizō Art Museum (山本二三美術館) on Fukue-jima, the largest of the Gotō Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, from July 20 to September 15. Both artists are from the Gotō archipelago, and Yamamoto created the key visual for the TV anime adaptation of Barakamon, which is set on Fukue-jima. Media coverage: Straight Press, MdN Design
Manoyama Research Society event in Saitama
The third convening of the Manoyama Research Society (間野山研究学会) will be held October 13 at Ōmiya Sonic City in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. The academic conference takes its name from the fictional city in P.A.Works series Sakura Quest, is based in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture (the real-world model of that series and location of P.A.Works studio), and organizes events that discuss contents tourism and regional revitalization. The October meeting is the first to be held outside Nanto, will discuss contents tourism in Saitama, is free and open to the public (though targeted at researchers) with registration required.
Okamoto Takeshi interview
Manavi published an interview (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4) with contents tourism researcher Okamoto Takeshi (岡本健) on how he became interested in his two areas of specialization, tourism sociology of seichijunrei and zombie media content studies. He talks about how seichijunrei is a catalyst for people to encounter other people, places and things that are outside the bounds of their normal spheres of activity, which though it can result in friction, is also a powerful driver of creativity and bridging of cultures. He cautions parents (this website targets parents of young children) not to discourage students from pursuing interests and hobbies outside of formal studies, even those that appear “useless”, as deeper investigation will always reveal a connection to the society in which something was created.
Using AI to predict inbound seichijunrei travel
Insurance firm Tokio Marine Nichido and IT services firm NTT Data compiled a report using AI to collect and analyze data from global social media networks to understand what anime and manga seichijunrei destinations are popular among foreign visitors to Japan. What’s interesting is that, in aggregate, the series that appear in the results have significant overlap with what we know to be popular among domestic seichijunrei fans, however when broken down by country there are clear differences in preferred works and locations. Media coverage: Sankei Shimbun
Chinese tourists and seichijunrei
Market analysis firm Trend Express used data pulled from Weibo to infer what locations are of interest to Chinese travelers in Japan. Among the findings, it was noted that seichijunrei, which has for some time been popular among Chinese, is now competing with traditional tourism locations for popularity. Pilgrimage to the Hida City Library for Kimi no Na wa. is noted as a high frequency destination. Media coverage: ITmedia
Imadane seichijunrei survey
Interest and trends website Imadane conducted a survey of users between 10 and 49 years of age, asking about desired destinations for anime seichijunrei. The top ranked series were 1st: Bungō Stray Dogs (Yokohama), 2nd: Evangelion (Hakone), and tied for 3rd: Kantai Collection (Yokosuka) and Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. (Chichibu). Full results here. Media coverage: Numan, Animage, Nijimen
Yoyogi Kaikan demolition begins
Visitors gathered July 31 at Yoyogi Kaikan (代々木会館), the dilapidated building central to the setting of Tenki no Ko, to view and photograph the building on the last day before scheduled disassembly and demolition begins. We saw this building a few times in Concrete Revolutio in 2016. Long before, it was known as the Angel Building in 1974-75 TV series Kizudarake no Tenshi. These days it is notable for its decay among modern surroundings. Media coverage: Model Press, Business Insider, J-Cast News, Nikkan Gendai, Gendai Business
Real-life mural depicted in Tenki no Ko
Artist Nabe Jill Chisato (@Girunabe) unexpectedly discovered the mural she had created in 2011 on the Shinjuku Ō-Guard (新宿大ガード), the large rail viaduct on the north side of Shinjuku Station, is recreated in full detail in the background art of Tenki no Ko. Media coverage: J-Town Net
びっくりしたのですが、左のうさぎとか猫の絵私の絵なのです……!!! pic.twitter.com/Wmd2FoGdSL
— なべじる ちさと (@Girunabe) July 30, 2019
Love Live! Sunshine!! and literature in Numazu
The Serizawa Kōjirō Memorial Hall (芹沢光治良記念館) in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture reports a 38.1% increase in visitors in 2017 and 6.9% in 2018, over 2015 numbers, which it attributes to Love Live! Sunshine!! In the series, character Kunikida Hanamaru is an avid reader of the local author’s works. The museum hosts a pilgrimage exchange notebook for anime fans. The Marusan bookstore in Nakamise Shōtengai, itself a location used in the series, reports anime fans began buying Serizawa’s novels when they were displayed in the store’s anime-related material section. Media coverage: Shizuoka Shimbun
International cosplayer expedition to Hida
Participants in the World Cosplay Championship, held August 6 in Nagoya, made a side trip to Hida, Gifu Prefecture to tour the setting of Kimi no Na wa. Media coverage: Gifu Shimbun
Hotaru no Haka monument in Nishinomiya
A committee has been established in Nishinomiya, Hyōgō Prefecture to fund and install a monument marking the setting of Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies), a semi-autobiographical story by Nosaka Akiyuki, later adapted as an animated film by Takahata Isao at Studio Ghibli, depicting struggle for survival at the end of World War II. The plan is for the monument to be completed in 2020 June, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the end of the war. Media coverage: Asahi Shimbun
Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma joint tourism promotion
Chambers of Commerce for Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma prefectures convened to discuss measures for promoting tourism assets in the region north of Tokyo, including seichijunrei. Anime works with settings in the region include Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away), Initial D and Girls & Panzer. Media coverage: Sankei Shimbun
Koe no Katachi stamp rally in Ōgaki
Ōgaki Tourism Association (大垣観光協会) launched a smartphone-based Koe no Katachi stamp rally in Ōgaki, Gifu Prefecture on July 20. The campaign had been planned in advance of the July 18 arson attack on Kyoto Animation. Though the attack has led to the postponement or cancellation of some events and campaigns related to Kyoani, in Ōgaki the decision was made to continue with the rally as scheduled, with the addition of donation boxes added to several locations, as a signal of support for the studio. Media coverage: Mainichi Shimbun, Gifu Shimbun
Summer Wars campaign in Ueda
Shinshū Ueda Tourism Association (信州上田観光協会) launched a promotional campaign coinciding with the tenth anniversary of Hosoda Mamoru film Summer Wars to run in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture until September 1. The campaign will highlight the use of locations in the city as the setting of the film through banners, posters, train wrappings and a smartphone stamp rally. A free screening of the film was held July 28. Media coverage: Shinano Mainichi Shimbun
上田映劇で開催された『#サマーウォーズ』上映会を、上市町の 上田わっしょい 参加者皆で観てきました。舞台の地で観るのは格別ですね。来る8月12日には声出し可の応援上映も行うそうです。 pic.twitter.com/SbpsuqEPlS
— おおいしげん (@genoishi) July 28, 2019
Saga Prefecture and Zombie Land Saga collaboration
An expansive summer marketing collaboration campaign between Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation (佐賀県観光連盟) and Zombie Land Saga is underway, with a steady drumbeat of accompanying media coverage. A stamp rally with stamps installed at 101 tourist facilities and shops, 97 more at lodging facilities, will be active from July 1 to September 30, and feature prizes that include original anime goods, lodging coupons and local products. A launch event featuring a “rare” stamp of Tatsumi Kōtarō was held July 10 at Hakata Station in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Trains wrapped with new illustrations featuring Franchouchou began service on the JR Karatsu Line and JR Chikuhi Line on July 26 and will run to the end of October. A special program promoting the campaign and featuring Hondo Kaede, the voice actor for lead character Minamoto Sakura, aired August 12 on TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting. The Karatsu City Museum of History and Folklore (formerly the Mitsubishi Joint Stock Company Karatsu Branch building)—a key location in the series that is not normally accessible to the public—will host special openings on July 26-28, August 18, September 15 and October 20. Media coverage: Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation, Saga Shimbun (article 1, article 2, article 3, article 4), Mantanweb, Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun
All Japan anime location map
Anime Tourism Association is distributing what it calls a “butaitanbou map”, which is actually a general overview of anime locations across the country, presumably only those selected to the Anime Seichi 88 list. As with the recent Sarazanmai “butaitanbou map” and other commercial marketing campaigns co-opting the term butaitanbou, I wonder if the misuse of the key term-of-art of the scene hunting subculture is a decision borne out of lack of understanding, or a deliberate disregard for actual butaitanbou practice. Media coverage: WebNewtype
Kadokawa Kyūshū Anime Deck
Kadokawa is building what it calls Kyūshū Anime Deck, a commercial space within the Sakura Machi Kumamoto facility, scheduled to open September 14. Kadokawa plans to use the space to sell anime goods, introduce anime locations in Kyūshū, and promote Kyūshū Anime Seichi no Tabi, the latter a promotional campaign managed by the Anime Tourism Association. Kadokawa will produce the sales floor and provide products, Anime Tourism Association will provide information on tourism resources, and Kyūshūsankō Group will both operate the store and provide transportation resources that support the tours. Kyūshū Anime Deck is an outgrowth of Kadokawa’s strategy to increase brand awareness of the company among domestic and inbound tourists through commercial facilities that disseminate pop culture media. Media coverage: Anime Anime
Aria Venice tour offering
Kinki Nippon Tourist will offer a tour package including Venice locations used in the setting of Aria and a dinner party featuring a talk by series production staff. The reservation window is closed as of the time of writing, and the tour will be held 2020 February 27 to March 4. Media coverage: Anime Anime, Crunchyroll
Tenki no Ko Pilgrimage
@fragments_sue made a pilgrimage to Kōzushima, Ōshima Subprefecture, Tokyo Metropolis for Tenki no Ko (Weathering with You).
@fragments_sue (post), @flyingbird1124 (updated post), @habusan (post), @ad_motsu (post 2), @darkflame_esper (post) and @kimamanidance (post) made pilgrimages to Tokyo for Tenki no Ko.
Current Season Pilgrimage
@flyingbird1124 made a pilgrimage (updated post) to Shin-Maruko and Kizuki, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture; Nakane, Meguro Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo. Episode 4 and Episode 5.
@fureshima2223 made a pilgrimage to Higashimurayama; Kōenjikita, Suginami Ward; Hitotsubashi-Gakuen Station in Kodaira (all Tokyo Metropolis) for Joshi Kōsei no Mudazukai Episode 1 and Episode 2.
@shira_ry (post) and @flyingbird1124 (post) made pilgrimages to Tama and Hino, Tokyo Metropolis for Machikado Mazoku Episode 1 through Episode 4.
Past Season Pilgrimage
@krissy297_ph made a pilgrimage (post 2) to Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture for Bungō Stray Dogs.
@offtama made a cycling pilgrimage across Saga Prefecture for the Zombie Land Saga stamp rally.
@Nagatoyukito5 made a pilgrimage to Ogikubo, Suginami Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for SSSS.Gridman.
@112233aabbccdde made a pilgrimage to Singapore for Sora yori mo Tōi Basho.
@hiro_senritu made a pilgrimage to Ueno, Taitō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Mitsuboshi Colors.
@kimamanidance made a pilgrimage (post 3) to Tokyo for Kimi no Na wa.
@626shin made a pilgrimage to Fujisawa and Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture for Just Because! OP/ED and Episode 1.
@Roan_Inish made a pilgrimage to Aomi and Ariake, Kōtō Ward, Tokyo Metropolis for Bakemonogatari.
3 comments
Linda says:
Aug 14, 2019
It’s interesting (as well as annoying!) that commercial campaigns are using the term butaitanbou. Speaking from the perspective of someone who works in mainstream media, I can kind of understand it, though. I think that for an outsider, the distinction is somewhat subtle. You have to dig deeper to understand and care about the difference. So ignorance may be a part of it, but also, the term butaitanbou is more transparent – like, it actually refers to looking for scenes, whereas pilgrimage could refer to anything. So I can imagine the train of thought that leads to that choice. The term sends a clearer message to the general reader/target customer (who doesn’t know the background of its use).
When are you going to be in Japan in the fall?
Michael says:
Aug 15, 2019
I put commercial and media in separate buckets, though the distinction isn’t always clear, and I’m sympathetic to the latter. Though few go as far as you and I do to explain the background, there is typically at least some attempt to note the difference between seichijunrei and butaitanbou. As a side note, in Japan, seichijunrei (anime specific) has had a huge PR push over the last few years, which you knew. It’s almost assumed that people know what it is, and often no longer defined when it appears in media stories.
The commercial side bothers me because it falls into a pattern of companies pursuing business opportunities under the guise of promoting culture, and then ditching the culture part. I had a conversation with Moriwaki Kiyotaka, the curator of the film archive in Kyoto, years ago about the Cool Japan stuff. He said he wasn’t sure who exactly was getting to decide what qualified as cool, because the committees were not approaching people like him and his colleagues, experts in their respective areas. It became obvious over time that Cool Japan is mostly a conduit for large publishers and goods manufacturers to get government assistance for marketing their catalogs. Similarly, when Kadokawa came along with the Anime Tourism Association, there was no official contact with the Butaitanbou-sha Community, and though academics like Okamoto Takeshi have been involved to provide copy for the reports the Association publishes and sells for a hefty price, it doesn’t appear they have a consultatory role in organization strategy. The Kadokawa CEO got on TV and nearly took credit for creating seichijunrei, or at least rescuing it from obscurity. I guess seichijunrei wasn’t enough for the machine, now it wants butaitanbou too. (^^)
I’m in Uji for the summit in September. Then the first two weeks of November in Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo.
Linda says:
Aug 15, 2019
I will also be in Tokyo in early November!!