Explore Nerima Ward the Original Mecca for Animation Fans
One of the Tokyo's 23 wards, Nerima to the north-west of the city is actually the place where the Japanese animation industry first burst into life. While Akihabara or Nakano Broadway are known as areas to buy anime merchandise, the Nerima area is actually a hub of anime where commercial anime was first born, and where countless anime productions continue to be made to the present day.
The very first long-form Japanese color animated film, 1958's Panda and the Magic Serpent, was produced in Nerima. The film was made by one of Japan's animation production companies Toei Doga, now Toei Animation, who continue to have studio in the Nerima area. From that point on, many more anime related companies congregated in Nerima around Toei Doga, and presently there are over 100 companies involved in the anime production process in the area making it truly an "Anime Town".
Anime Town Oizumi
Straight off the train at the Seibu Ikebukuro Line's Oizumi-gakuen Station, the nearest stop to Toei Animation, you are greeted by iconic anime before you have even left the station! The train chimes to the theme from the iconic anime Galaxy Express 999 as it pulls away, and the mysterious Conductor character from the series is waiting at the ticket gate to greet you.
To the north of the station is the Oizumi Anime Gate, where a number of life-size statues of anime characters are posed, waiting for a killer photo opportunity. Actually, there is even an augmented reality application that you can use to take a memento photo that shows you in the company of your chosen character. There is also a graphic wall that visually narrates the development and growth of film and anime along with Oizumi.
Still in Oizumi, the shopping street to the north of the station is also decked out in Galaxy Express 999 imagery, including a character called Yumeeteru-chan created by artist Leiji Matsumoto exclusively for the area. There is even merchandise to dip into, making this a must-see for those who grew up watching the 1978 classic television series.
Serious Galaxy Express 999 fans might even want to head east of the station by bus to the Nerima Recycling Center. There you will be surprised to see a huge mural of the series' heroine Maetel on the side of the building. But, considering the themes of the anime, it is no surprise to see creator Leiji Matsumoto's character supporting such a good cause.
Nerima Anime Carnival!
The annual autumnal Nerima Anime Carnival has been growing in scale each year since it debuted in 2007. It features a festival atmosphere in addition to a large number of exhibitions, talk shows, and anime screenings and is run inside the park to the immediate north of Nerima Station. There is plenty of fun to be had for free!
Be sure to check the official home page https://animation-nerima.jp/ for all the latest information.
Look Out over Tokyo with Nerimaru!
Finally, the 20th floor of the Nerima City Office allows you to snap your photo alongside Nerimaru, the area's official anime character who is always broadcasting anime related information from the antenna on its head! The kawaii character turns up on a range of merchandise at places like the industry and tourism information desk, so why not take it with you as you join Nerimaru and share the word about Nerima and anime with the world.
For all the latest information and anime travel routes through Nerima, visit the website below and start to plan your Nerima anime tour today!
Animation Nerima Homepage
(Japanese only, but automated translation is available.)
*This article was posted on the Life in Tokyo website operated by the Tokyo International Communication Committee on February 12, 2019.