Important Announcement:
The Future of the International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA

Important Announcement:he Future of International Animation Festival in Japan - HIROSHIMA
We regret to announce that the International Animation Festival in Japan – HIROSHIMA (henceforth “Hiroshima Festival” or “the festival”), which we have held with the city of Hiroshima for 36 years beginning in 1984, came to an end after its 18th edition, which took place in August 2020.  >Next

News 

→2024.2.29 update
Teppei Ikumasa’s feature animation “The Sea of Funagada” (2023, 85 min.) will be shown at the 13th Ekoda Film Festival.
The Sea of Funagada
On March 6th, 8th, and 9th, Hidenobu Fukumoto, also known as Teppei Ikumasa, will have his feature animation “The Sea of Funagada” (2023, 85 min.) shown at the 13th Ekoda Film Festival. On the 8th, there will also be a talk by the director.
In the Hamadori Region of Fukushima, fishermen are called “funagada”. At the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, these brave funagadas risked their lives to protect their precious boats, placing them further out to sea. Now, after thirteen years, their new battle has begun to protect the sea of Fukushima.
What is the “sea” for fishermen…?
Searching an answer, Teppei Ikumasa, a picture-story show artist from Hiroshima has been visiting Fukushima since the nuclear accident and has created over 70 stories about the Fukushima nuclear accident. And, together with fishermen in Fukushima, he created an animation "The Sea of Funagada."

Please take a look.

Screening "The Sea of Funagada" at the 13th Ekoda Film Festival.
Date & time: March 6th (Wed), 2024, at 19:00-
      March 8th (Fri) at 13:00- (a talk by Teppei Ikumasa at 14:40- )
      March 9th (Sat) at 16:30-
Venue: Gallery Furuto
    9-16 Sakaecho, Nerima-ku, Tokyo (diagonally in front of the main gate of the Musashi University.)
Admission Fee: Advance ticket: ¥1,000 per film
        At-the-door ticket: ¥1,200 per film
        University students and people with disabilities: ¥800
        High school students and younger,
        and evacuees from the Great East Japan Earthquake: Free.
Application: e-mail:fwge7555@nifty.com (Gallery Furuto)
       tel: 03-3948-5328
Organizer: Ekoda Film Festival Organizing Committee
→2024.02.27 update
Nozomi Nagasaki's “The Fourth of the Narcissus Month” and Sayoko Kinoshita's “Pica Don” will be shown at the National Film Archive of Japan, within “Women Who Made Japanese Cinema [Part 2]: From the 1970s to the 1980s”!
“Women Who Made Japanese Cinema [Part 2]: From the 1970s to the 1980s”
“Women Who Made Japanese Cinema [Part 2]: From the 1970s to the 1980s” features a total of 74 films (47 programs), ranging from fictions to documentaries, in which women filmmakers were involved in the production, mainly in the fields of directing, scriptwriting, and production. Among them, “The Fourth of the Narcissus Month” by Nozomi Nagasaki and “Pica Don” by Sayoko Kinoshita will be shown in “Program 32: Animation Works”. Please come and join!
“Women Who Made Japanese Cinema [Part 2]: From the 1970s to the 1980s"

Date and time: February 29th, 2024 (Thursday) 12:30~, and March 5th (Tuesday) 18:30~
Venue:Nagase Memorial Theatre OZU (2nd floor), National Film Archive of Japan
Address: 3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Access
Capacity: 310 seats (all seats reserved, tickets on sale online)
Admission fee: Adults 520 yen, etc.

For more details

→2024.2.20 update
Takashi Fukumoto's final lecture and screening will be held at the Kanagawa Institute of Technology!
Takashi Fukumoto's final lecture and screening
Since the dawn of computer graphics in Japan, Takashi Fukumoto has been producing CG animation as a director and producer, working together with engineers developing those systems dedicated to CG. Many of his works produced at Toyo Links, Polygon Pictures, Links Digiworks, etc., have won awards and been selected for international film festivals in Japan and abroad. Fukumoto has always shown an exceptional talent in merging cutting-edge technology with creativity. Since 2000, he has also been active in education and research activities at Osaka University of Arts and Kanagawa Institute of Technology.
On the occasion of his retirement from the Kanagawa Institute of Technology this spring, he will give his final lecture. After the lecture, there will be a reception as well (reservation required).
Please join!

Takashi Fukumoto Final Lecture & Screening
"Challenges in the Early Days of Japanese CG: Linking Creators and Engineers"


Date & time: March 5th, 2024, at 15:00 - 16:30 (Open at: 14:30)
Venue: Kanagawa Institute of Technology Media Hall (Bldg K1, Room 1201)
    1030 Shimoogino, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa Access map
Organizer: Department of Information Media, Kanagawa Institute of Technology
Contact:d-jimu@ic.kanagawa-it.ac.jp

*Reception to be held afterwards. (16:40-18:30)
To attend the reception, please apply here by February 25th.
(If you will be attending only the final lecture, no application is required.)
Venue: Cafeteria (12th floor, Bldg K1)
Admission: 4,000 yen (at the registration desk on the day)

→2024.2.15 update
The "Animation A-La-Carte" will be screened in a special program hosted by Kawasaki City Museum!
Anime A La Carte! The World of Animation with Music and Film
The very nostalgic co-created animation film "Anime A-La-Carte" (directed by Hal Fukushima, 1989, 10 min.) will be shown in a special programme organized by Kawasaki City Museum. This film was created by 25 animation filmmakers and workshop participants, based on the museum's logo. Many ASIFA-JAPAN members also participated, including Nobuhiro Aihara, Yoshimasa Akiyama, Kosei Ono, IKIF (Tokumitsu Kifune, Sonoko Kifune), Yoji Kuri, Shinichi Suzuki, Seiichi Hayashi, Masaki Fujihata, Taku Furukawa, Koji Yamamura. And, Iwao Yamaki cooperated in the production.
In addition, Emile Cole's short films (1908-1912), "The Adventures of Sho-chan,” “Will Power" (dir. Noburo Ofuji, 1931), and “Chameko no Ichinichi" (dir. Kiyoji Nishikura, 1931) will be shown as well.
Please enjoy!


"Anime A La Carte! The World of Animation with Music and Film"

Date & time: March 2nd, 2024, at 13:30 - 14:40 
Venue: Nakahara Civic Center Multipurpose Hall
    (3 min. walk from Musashi Kosugi Station)
    Park City Musashi Kosugi Mid Sky Tower 1&2F, 3-1100-12
    Shin-Maruko Higashi, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, 211-0004, Japan
    Access Map
    Capacity: 150 seats
Admission: Adults 600 yen, etc.
      (payment at the venue on the day, cash only)

*Advance application is required via the application form (Japanese only).
Application period: Monday, Feb. 5th, 10:00 - Monday, Feb. 19th, 16:00
The application form can be accessed from Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 at 10:00.

Contact: Kawasaki City Museum, tel 044-712-2800

For more details (Japanese only)

→2024.2.8 update
”Nishi-Maizuru Animation Day 2024,” planned and organised by Ryusuke Imai, will be held on March 3rd!
Nishi-Maizuru Animation Day 2024
With a research grant from Kyoto University of the Arts, Ryusuke Imai will hold an animation program at Seis x Cine Grulla, a mini-theatre in Nishi-Maizuru, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture. The program consists of excellent animation shorts by those postgraduates of the Kyoto University of the Arts, that Imai has been involved with, and was produced during 2017 - 2024. A selection of 20 films, approximately 96 minutes in total, will be shown. A talk event by those directors is also planned.
Please come and join!

“Nishi-Maizuru Animation Day 2024”

Date & time: March 3rd, 2024, at 14:00 - 16:30 (13:30 doors open.) 
Venue:Seis x Cine Grulla
    24-2 Takeya, Maizuru, Kyoto 624-0928
Cooperation: Seis x Cine Grulla
Supported by: Maizuru Tourism Association
Contact: TEL 0773-60-5566
       info@cinegrulla.com (Seis x Cine Grulla)
Addmission Free

→2023.11.20 update
The exhibition “From Hand to Hand, Shapes are Born - 13 Colors of Clay Animation Exhibition” by Arisa Wakami and Chigasaki Support School is currently being held!
From Hand to Hand, Shapes are Born - 13 Colors of Clay Animation Exhibition
At the ongoing exhibition “From Hand to Hand, Shapes are Born - 13 Colors of Clay Animation Exhibition,” clay animation works co-created this autumn by Arisa Wakami and the second-year junior high school students of Chigasaki Support School are being screened. Also, the students’ delightful workshop of the students.
Please enjoy!

Arisa Wakami x Chigasaki Support School “From Hand to Hand, Shapes are Born - 13 Colors of Clay Animation Exhibition”

Date: November 18th (Sat) - December 10th (Sun), 2023  
   *Closed on Mondays
   10:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Venue:Chigasaki City Museum of Art, at the Entrance Hall
    Address: 1-4-45 Higashikaigan-kita, Chigasaki City,
    Kanagawa Prefecture 253-0053
    (Next to the Municipal Library, inside Takasago Green Space)
Organizer:Chigasaki City Museum of Art
Co-organizers:Tokyo Zokei University
Inquiries: TEL 0467-88-1177 (Chigasaki City Museum of Art)
Addmission Free

For more details (Japanese only)

→2023.10.15 update
International Animation Day (IAD) 2023 - Coming Soon!
International Animation Day 2023
On October 28th, 1892, a French inventor Emile Reynaud (1844 - 1918) made the first public performance of animation at the Grevin Museum in Paris, using his own invention “Optical Theater.” Since 2002, ASIFA and its National Groups have been celebrating this historical day as “International Animation Day (IAD)” , intending to promote and develop animation art all over the world simultaneously. Every year, about 40 countries participate in this celebration.

“IAD 2023 in Japan” will be held in Nishi-Maizuru, Kyoto, and Atsugi to show inspiring animation shorts. This year’s official IAD poster was created by Georges Schwizgebel (ASIFA Swiss member), and it will be used around the world.

International Animation Day 2023
IAD 2023 in NISHI MAIZURU
October 28th, at Seis x Cine Grulla

IAD 2023 in KYOTO
November 3rd, at Kyoto University of the Arts.

IAD 2023 in ATSUGI
November 13th, at Kanagawa Institute of Technology.

For more details about the International Animation Day 2023


→2023.9.3 update
Based on Hidenobu Fukumoto’s Kamishibai (picture-story show) about the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, a Symposium on Memories and "Negative History" will be held.
Negative History”: How to convey the 3.11 Disasters?
A symposium "Memories and “Negative History”: How to convey the 3.11 Disasters? " will be held as a hybrid event, in relation to Hidenobu Fukumoto’s kamishibai (picture-story show) depicting the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Since the 3.11 disaster, Hidenobu Fukumoto as Teppei Ikumasa has continued to visit Fukushima to create kamishibai and animations of Fukushima's folktales and events caused by the disaster, and has been performing as well as donating those kamishibai works to libraries and schools.
In high recognition of these activities, Stanford University has decided to archive Fukumoto's 3.11 kamishibai works, and the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, will host a symposium in conjunction with this decision.
On September 23 (Sat), there will be an academic symposium on memory, transmission, and expression (online participation is possible), and on September 24 (Sun), there will be a "Working Study: Fukushima and Kamishibai,” a performance of Kamishibai about the disaster, storytelling by the survivors, while visiting the disaster area at Namie-cho, Fukushima Prefecture. Fukumoto will also be talking about “why he chose kamishibai as a medium to tell the story of the Fukushima disaster." Pre-registration is required for both days.
Please join us at the venue or online.

Memories and “Negative History”: How to convey the 3.11 Disasters?
(Advance registration required, Hybrid)


Date:
Day 1: Saturday, 23th Sep.
 8:30 - 18:00 Symposium and kamishibai show
 (Capacity: 150 people; application deadline: 20th Sep.)
Day 2: Sunday, 24th Sep.
 Working Study Visiting Namie Town and Kamishibai Performance
 (Capacity: 35 people; application deadline: 31st Aug.)

Venue:
Day 1: International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University
 468-1 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 980-8572
 Tel : +81-22-752-2099 (Disaster Culture and Archive Studies)
Day 2: Meet in front of the “Anpanman Statue” at Sendai Station East Exit.

Schedule and Pre-registration:
  Free of charge.
  For schedule and pre-registration, the symposium official page.
*We are sorry, but the study tour on the 24th has reached its capacity.
*In-person and online participation in the symposium on the 23rd is still available.

  Flyer (Japanese only)

Organizer: International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University
Co-organizers: Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Cooperation: Machimonogatari Seisaku Iinkai, Namie Town Story Telling Team

→2023.8.22 update
Solo exhibition “The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour” will be held!
The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour
Yoji Kuri's solo exhibition, “The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour" will be held!
This exhibition focuses on the expression of "lines" in artworks by Yoji Kuri, who started his career as a manga artist and continues till today. Those lines drawn by Yoji, reflecting his heart in various ways, will be exhibited, including manga from the 50's, numerous cut works from the 60's, lines that move in animation, and lines that are lively in paintings, etc. Animation works and the latest unreleased works will be shown as well.
We hope to see you there!

Solo Exhibition “The line art with Yoji Kuri’s humour"
Venue: art space kimura ASK?
Address: Kimura Building 2F, 3-6-5 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Date: September 6th (Wed) - 16th (Sat), 2023
Hours: 11:30-19:00 / Closed on Sundays / Closes at 17:00 on the last day
TEL: 03-5524-0771
mail asku@oak.ocn.ne.jp
* The artist will be at the gallery on the first day. Other dates will be announced by the gallery’s SNS and Kuri Kobo’s.
* Kuri Kobo staff will be at the gallery every day.
* Along with the exhibition and sales of works, Yoji Kuri goods will also be on sale.

→2023.8.16 update
A huge special screening of Koji Yamamura's films is now being held at the National Film Archive of Japan!
Koji Yamamura Retrospective”
The National Film Archive of Japan is currently holding an intensive special program, "Koji Yamamura Retrospective"!
This retrospective features Koji Yamamura’s entire filmography spanning over 40 years, including his early short films, which are shown to the public for the first time in the world, to his latest work, "Dozens of Norths" (2021). A total of 47 films, divided into six programs in chronological order, are shown all at once.
Please enjoy!

"Koji Yamamura Retrospective"
Dates: August 11st-27th, 2023 *Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only
Venue: National Film Archive of Japan, B1 Theatre (1st basement floor)
3-7-6 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031
Capacity: 151 seats(Assigned seating)
Ticket Purchase Page: https://www.e-tix.jp/nfaj/en/
Contact: National Film Archive of Japan, tel:047-316-2772(Hello Dial)
Organizer: National Film Archive of Japan
Cooperation: Yamamura Animation, Inc.
Program Details (Japanese only)

For more details

→2023.5.22 update
An Exhibition "Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination" will be held!
Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination
Yoji KURI's solo exhibition, "Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination," will be held in his hometown, Fukui Prefecture!
Many of his original works will be on display, including those that have never been exhibited before. In addition, rare ceramic items designed at that time, original goods, books, and paintings will also be available for sale.
We hope to see you there!

Exhibition "Yoji KURI Fantasy Tour: 95 Years of Imagination"
Dates: May 24th (Wed) - June 5th (Mon), 2023
Venue: Seibu Fukui, 6F Exhibition Hall
1-8-1 Chuo, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture
Hours: 10:00-19:30 (closing at 17:00 on the last business day)
Please note that the artist will not be in the gallery.

For more details (Japanese only)

→2023.4.13 update
"TAKUPEDIA", a compilation of Taku Furukawa's many years of humorous artworks, will be published!
TAKUPEDIA
On Monday, April 17, 2023, Taku Furukawa’s art book TAKUPEDIA” will be published!
This book is a culmination of his humorous artworks drawn during these many years, and contains approximately 1,000 single-frame manga as well as black-and-white line illustrations, in no particular chronological order.

And, on the occasion of the unveiling of "TAKUPEDIA" and Furukawa’s latest animated short film "Fiction Shigisan" (2023, 7 min.), Anido Concert: Music on Animation Vol. 17 "Dinosax Million Years!" will be held at Suginami Public Hall. Please enjoy a jazz session by Toshiyuki Honda, who composed the music for "Fiction Shigisan," on saxophone and Fumio Itabashi on piano, and a talk by Taku-san, Toshiyuki Honda, and Rintaro.

Also, from April 24 (Mon.) to 29 (Sat., holiday), "Encyclo Takupedia Exhibition" will be held at the art space kimura ASK? There will also be a screening of "Fiction Shigisan" and a talk show.

Dinosax Million Years!
Date: 17th April, 2023 18:30-21:00
Venue: Suginami Public Hall, Small Hall
Organizer: Anido - contact 03-5761-8924
Admission:3,000 yen at the door, 2,500 yen for advance reservations, all free seating
   Concert Appearance: Toshiyuki Honda, Fumio Itabashi
   Talk: Toshiyuki Honda x Taku Furukawa x Rintaro
For more details (Japanese only)

Encyclo Takupedia exhibition
Date: 24th April - 29th April 29, 2023
Hours: 11:30-19:00 (until 17:00 on the last day)
Venue: art space kimura ASK? (2F)
Talk Show: 24th April, at 18:00 - 19:00, Taku Furukawa x Noriko Yamada x Takashi Namiki. Free of charge (reservation required).
*On the day of the talk show, the exhibition will be open until 17:00. The venue opens at 17:30.
For more details (Japanese only)

→2023.2.6 update
A screening of Yoji KURI's documentary "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda" will be held.
A screening of Yoji KURI's documentary “Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda”
We are pleased to announce the screening of Yoji KURI's film "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda" at Libririe6/Six Bookstore as follows.
This film is a documentary series in which Yoji KURI, alone and with a camera in hand, has been working on the realities of artists working in Japan, New York, and other locales. This work, digitized 50 years after its release in 1973, will be shown for the first time in Tokyo.
This will be a joint project with the exhibition of the collection of the artists exhibited at LIBRAIRIE6 (in Japan). We hope you will all visit the exhibition together!

104th Project "LIBRAIRIE6 Collection" Exhibition
 + Screening of Yoji Kuri's film "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda

Dates: February 4(Saturday) - 19 (Sunday), 2023
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 12:00 - 19:00 Sunday/Holidays 12:00 - 18:00
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (closed even if Mon. or Tue. is a national holiday)
 *The gallery will close at 17:00 on the last day of the exhibition.
 *The collection exhibition cannot be viewed during the screening.

Screening event: Yoji KURI's film "Art, Life and Opinion - Sawako Goda
Hours: Screening starts at 17:30 every day (16:30 on the last day only)
Admission: 1,000 yen per session
Capacity for each session: 12 people(Reservations required by e-mail or phone 03-6452-3345)
 *Please click here to check the availability of seats.

Venue: Libririe6/Six Bookstore
Address: Minami Bldg. 3F, 1-12-2 Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-6452-3345
Email: info@librairie6.com

For more details here.