There are a huge variety of events going on in Tokyo, and any anime fan probably knows it’s an important stop on their trip to Japan. Where else will you find permanent attractions like the One Piece Tower, the Mitaka Ghibli Museum, and the Gundam Cafe? But for travelers coming to the Kanto region this summer, here are some special events just for you. (Art exhibitions, stage plays, outdoor events, and conventions, there’s a little of everything!)
1. Painting the Colors of Our Films, Special Exhibition at the Ghibli Museum
The Mitaka Ghibli Museum has a series of rooms devoted to special exhibitions, which usually change once or twice a year. This time, the museum is focusing in on the colors added to all of the art. We know that the films just wouldn’t be the same if they were black and white linework! Original cels painted by the late color designer Michiyo Yasuda will be featured in the exhibition, showcasing the skill with which she added so much to the animations.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
2. Pikachu Outbreak! (Pikachu Tairyou Hassei-Chu! — ピカチュウ大量発生チュウ！)
Every year Yokohama, a quick train ride out of Tokyo, fills with giant pikachus. They take over the area next to Tokyo Bay, perform dances, put on light shows, parade the streets, and more. This year will be no different, and for everyone still on the Pokemon Go! train, there will be special app events as well.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
3. Takahata Isao: A Legend in Japanese Animation
If you want to check out some beautiful Studio Ghibli art, but don’t want to trek all the way over to the museum, head to Tokyo’s National Museum of Modern Art! They’re hosting a wonderful collection of illustrations and work from the late, great Ghibli director Isao Takahata. Miyazaki might be the more famous of the studio’s two major directors, but we can thank Takahata for lovely and touching works like Grave of the Fireflies, and The Tale of Princess Kaguya.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
4. Yu Yu Hakusho Theatrical Adaptation
After 30 years as a beloved manga and anime, with popularity growing since the 1990s, here it is… Yu Yu Hakusho’s stage debut! The story is being performed as a limited theatrical run, touring four cities across Japan, and this summer it’ll be in Tokyo!
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
5. Evangelion Artwork Selection + Evangelion Sword Exhibition
Evangelion, swords… what else could you want when you’re visiting Japan? This Evangelion art exhibition is based off of the art from the new theatrical edition (A.K.A. Rebuild of Evangelion), and taking place in the Shinjuku Takashimaya department store.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
6. Takeshi Obata Exhibition: NEVER COMPLETE
Sure, not all of us loved the second half of Death Note… but that doesn’t mean we can’t be impressed by the manga’s illustrator! Takeshi Obata is celebrating 30 years in the manga industry this year, and this exhibition is in honor of all of his great contributions to the craft. After bringing us not just Death Note, but also Hikaru no Go, Bakuman, and many more popular series, it’s time to enjoy a retrospective on everything Obata’s done so far, and look forward to whatever comes next.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
7. Comic Market 96 (Comiket Summer 2019)
The most all-encompassing anime and manga event of the year, and definitely the one that will draw the biggest crowds in the shortest amount of time, is this summer’s Comic Market 96! Comiket summer 2019 will be as huge as ever, with expected crowds of 500,000, and thousands of things to check out. Booths from comic publishers and independent artists fill the halls, alongside tons of others doing everything from showing off upcoming video games, to selling clothing and accessories.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
Bonus! Cardcaptor Sakura Exhibition at Osaka’s Hirakata Park
Spending some time in Osaka as well? Then get yourself to Hirakata Park, and spend the day! We’ve talked about how much we like Hirakata Park before; it’s a fun little amusement park that’s never crowded, even in the middle of summer vacation. But now it’s extra inviting, with a limited-time Cardcaptor Sakura exhibition going on in the Hirakata Park event hall. With original art from the manga and anime’s production, real-life recreations of Sakura’s amazing costumes, a room devoted to all of the Clow Cards, and a HUGE and very huggable plush-statue of Kero, wannabe card collectors and Kero-lovers will have a great time. Then, once you’ve seen enough Clow Cards and original animations, step outside and onto a rollercoaster.
Details/Dates/Hours/Tickets/Etc.
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Originally published at www.japankuru.com.
