The future of anime is in theaters, anime symposium says
The latest trend in Japanese anime is to release full-length feature films directly to theaters, amid a decline in anime created for television. Simultaneous translation will be provided.
Translated by The Asahi Shimbun from the website of Anime Anime Japan Ltd.
The latest trend in Japanese anime is to release full-length feature films directly to theaters, amid a decline in anime created for television. Since 2009, full-length anime hits such as "Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance," "Summer Wars" and "One Piece Film: Strong World" have attracted large cinema audiences. "Eden of the East," the "Kara no Kyoukai-The Garden of Sinners" series, in fact, became hits by being initially released in selected theaters. This year's trends in feature-length anime films will be the focus of a symposium on March 26, hosted by Anime Anime Japan Ltd. The event is part of the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 that runs March 25-28. Panelists include Tomohiko Ishii of Production I.G, producer of "Eden of the East," an anime now a big hit in theaters nationwide, and Mamoru Oshii's "The Sky Crawlers." Film journalist Morihiko Saito and anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa will round out the panel. The panel will discuss the business strategies behind releasing anime features in limited theaters, using "Eden of the East" as the prime example. The overall prospects for the feature-length anime market will also be touched on. The symposium begins at 2:30 p.m. in the Conference Tower of Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center. Admission is free, but online registration is required. Simultaneous translation will be provided. For more information and to register online, visit (/www.tokyoanime.jp/en). *** The symposium features panelists Tomohiko Ishii (Production I.G producer)Morihiko Saito (film journalist), and Ryusuke Hikawa (anime critic), with Sudo Tadashi as moderator.
Date: Friday, March 26 Time: 2:30p.m.-4 p.m. Venue: Room 607 and 608, Conference Tower, Tokyo Big Sight, near Kokusai Tenjijo Seimon Station on the Yurikamome line. Organizer: Anime Anime Japan Ltd.
