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AJA Holds Film Festival to Celebrate Anime's 100th Anniversary
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) announced the next part of its Anime Next 100 project on Monday. As the next phase of the plan that aims to spread "the power of anime to the world," the project will hold the Anime Film Festival Tokyo 2017 event in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward from October 13 to October 15.
The event will screen new works as well as anime masterpieces at theaters in the Shinjuku area. The event will also feature live anime song performances, collaboration events and cafe, and a character parade. Exclusive merchandise will be available for purchase.
The event's executive committee includes Asatsu-DK, Aniplex, Avex Pictures, Sunrise, Toei Animation, TMS Entertainment, Nippon Animation, and Pierrot.
Sunrise president Yasuo Miyagawa said that although there are many ways to enjoy anime, enjoyment through viewing will be at the heart of the festival. He hopes that the festival will leave an impact on people who have always supported anime as well as people who have not been watching anime recently. Speaking of anime's next 100 years, Miyagawa said, "This is the first small step, but it's a steady step of moving forward with everyone. Before long, I believe there will be big progress. Let's step forward into the future of animation."
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival also hosted a special program for AJA's Anime Next 100 project in June. The event screened short films and full-length films. The short films were from the National Film Center's collection of classic animated works, which are available streaming online with English subtitles this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the oldest known Japanese animated short films.
NHK posted the results of its Best Anime 100 fan poll in May. Tiger & Bunny, Tiger & Bunny The Movie -The Rising-, and Madoka Magica topped the list.
Source: Anime! Anime! (Kōtarō Nakase)
