Tokyo Ota Ward

(Report/ Seiun Mitsurugi, Translate/ M.Kuwahara)
 Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF) took place during the four days from March 22nd to the 25th, at Tokyo Big Sight. The sixth occasion for it to take place, at its center are three pillars: events, awards, and trade fairs. Supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, TAF's purpose is to vitalize the anime industry and to diffuse information to a broader area, taking the overseas market in scope. Especially the first two days draw much attention as "Business Days," which provide the biggest business opportunity in the industry.
 Regarding events, there were press announcements of new titles, various screenings, and symposiums taking place at a specially built stage at the sight. For competitions, there were announcements of the Tokyo Anime Award, which consisted of the "Nominated Works" category for commercial animations, and the "Submitted Works" category for general entry. There was also a "Award of Merit" handed to individuals that contributed to shaping the anime industry and to building its history and culture.
 At the trade fair, 325 national and international companies aligned their booths, while they announced the latest titles, sold merchandise, and promoted their company. A special exhibition "Robot Anime EXPO" was also held alongside.
 Perhaps because of the gubernatorial election, TAF was held earlier this year than it had been in the past, and that may have contributed to the fewer news announcements made public for the first time at TAF. However, among the exhibits, there were quite a number of rarities that surprised the interested, and participatory events and 3-D exhibitions ingenuously conceived by different companies peppering the venue. Having completely rid its initial image as being a serious event hosted by a public organization, this year's TAF achieved at least some deal of success in terms of becoming an event inducing active participation from the fans, rather than being a mere show to be seen mindlessly.

Left: Nearest staition precincts was occpied "The Messenger of ZERO".
Right: Entrance


Left: Special event "Robo-Ani EXPO".
Middle: Japanese old Robot hero "Astro Boy".
Right: Recently Robot weapon "EVA #1" from Neon Genesis EVANGELION.

Left: MANOI AT01(L) & PF01(R) http://www.kyosho.com/jpn/products/robot/index.html
Middle: ifbot(L) & Hello Kitty ROBO(R)
They can speak about 12,000 words. And they learn master's face, so they look at master. They expect a means of communication in elder care scene.
http://www.business-design.co.jp/product/002/index.html
Right: R/C Giant Robo http://www.softgarage.com/

Left: Sgt FROG suit http://www.bandai.co.jp/
Right Up: A large crowd had gathered in front of the Display. I played PS2 game "GUNDAM MU-SO". http://gundam-musou.jp/
Right Below: Super-Anime labo http://miraika.benesse.ne.jp/index.html


Left: Prop from FREEDOM-PROJECT　http://freedom-project.jp/
Right: Mercedes SSK from Lupin the III　http://www.ntv.co.jp/


Left: Gurren Lagann and mascot. http://www.gurren-lagann.net/index.html
Right: DANCOUGA NOVA　http://dancouganova.com/index.html


Left: NANAMOE http://www.nanamoe.com/
Right: NANAMOE's goods


Left: Satelight's girl.
Right: Satelight's explanation meeting. Mr.Kawamori is on the board of directors.
http://www.satelight.co.jp/


Kawamori's own handwriting VF-1 Valkyrie & AQUQRION Alpha.
Both works are his most famous work.

　「東京国際アニメフェア」が、3月22日〜25日の4日間に渡って、東京ビッグサイトで開催された。
　第6回目を迎えた同フェアは、東京都の支援下、アニメ産業の振興と海外をも視野に入れた広域への発信を目的に、イベント、コンペティション、見本市の三本柱で開催されてきたもの。特に開催機関前半2日の「ビジネスデー」は、アニメ業界最大のビジネスマッチングの場としても注目を集めている。
　イベントにおいては、会場内特設ステージでの新作記者発表、及び各種上映会、シンポジウムなどが行われ、コンペティションでは、商業作品を対象にした「ノミネート部門」と一般応募による「公募部門」からなるアニメ作品賞「東京アニメワード」http://www.tokyoanime.jp/ja/award/prize_list.html、及びアニメ産業の傾城や文化歴史の構築に貢献した人々に贈られる「功労賞」http://www.tokyoanime.jp/ja/award/contribution.html
の発表が行われた。
　見本市は国内外合計325社のアニメ関連企業が軒を並べ、新作発表や物販イベント、企業PR、特別企画展「ロボアニEXPO」が行われた。

　今年は、都知事選の絡みなのか、開催が例年より早く、会場初見の驚かされるような最新情報は少なめの感があった。しかし、各種企画展示において、この道に興味があれば思わず驚くような希少な展示物、各社で趣向を凝らした参加型イベントや立体展示物などが相当数散りばめられており、開始当初の「公的機関が行うお堅いイベント」的なイメージの払拭は完了し、漫然と見に行くモノではなく「アニメが好きなら積極的に関わっていこう」という開催意義を目指したものとしては一応の成功を収めたものとなっていた。
（星雲 御剣）