Anime Film Festival Ikebukuro Cinemachi Festival Held for the First Time!

Running through Ikebukuro are many railway lines and every day over 2.5 million people board the trains in Ikebukuro, making it one of the three major districts in Tokyo. Lined with commercial and cultural facilities, the pleasure quarter of Ikebukuro sees roughly 1 million visitors a day. Including Otome Road, a street densely packed with shops that sell doujinshi and otaku goods intended for females, the city has a deep connection to otaku content.

Cinemachi Festival is an event that was held mainly in Ikebukuro Park located in the center of Ikebukuro as well as at five theaters and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space. In addition to screenings of the complete Madoka Magica movie trilogy and the TV series K, there was a special screening of the first part of Persona 3 the Movie and more offering fans an undeniable and luxurious time. Along with each screening there were also talk shows among the voice cast and special talks with the directors. Also included were experiments making full use of Ikebukuro’s theaters and shops including a classical Madoka Magica concert and an event to promote interaction between anime fans.

The main venue at Ikebukuro Park. Despite the rain, there was a huge crowd in attendance.

The cosplay event.

Mr. Suzuki of the Cinemachi Festival Executive Office commented, “For the duration, we were not blessed with good weather and it continued to rain. However, the event included stage performances and many people participated. No one at the event was injured, and this project that relied on the truly passionate hearts of those in the neighborhood ended without a hitch.”

Mr. Sasaki, the head of the Cinemachi Festival Executive Committee said regarding his hopes for the next event, “I want to arrange for the systemization of the event management structure and continue holding the Cinemachi Festival.” He then appealed to fans, saying, “Anime is receiving high attention from France’s Annecy and from The Tale of Princess Kaguya being screened at international film festivals. We aimed to create a place where these kind of anime works can be freely enjoyed. Those who are interested, please come next time.”

Cinemachi Festival Official Site

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.

The entrance to Ikebukuro Park, the main venue of the event.
The entrance to Ikebukuro Park, the main venue of the event.
A line of people waiting to buy limited anime goods related to the Cinemachi Festival.
A line of people waiting to buy limited anime goods related to the Cinemachi Festival.
Regardless of the rain, many anime fans attended.
Regardless of the rain, many anime fans attended.
The four members of the anime support project APO.
The four members of the anime support project APO.
The opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony.
Many people were in attendance despite the rain.
Many people were in attendance despite the rain.
The venue also had food stalls serving yakisoba, crepes, and more.
The venue also had food stalls serving yakisoba, crepes, and more.
There was also body and face painting. Check out these three Sonicos  ゚Д゚)!
There was also body and face painting. Check out these three Sonicos ゚Д゚)!
Just to the side of the stage is Anime Ikebukuro.
Just to the side of the stage is Anime Ikebukuro.
Animate Ikebukuro. A mere 30-second walk from the main venue.
Animate Ikebukuro. A mere 30-second walk from the main venue.
A screening of the movie K: Missing Kings and the TV series K were held back to back in Animate Ikebukuro.
A screening of the movie *K: Missing Kings* and the TV series *K* were held back to back in Animate Ikebukuro.
Cosplay event.
Cosplay event.
Cosplay event.
Cosplay event.
A screening of the first part of Persona 3 the Movie was held in Cinelibre Ikebukuro.
A screening of the first part of *Persona 3 the Movie* was held in Cinelibre Ikebukuro.
An orchestral concert of music from the Madoka Magica movies. This picture was taken during the performance of “Hikarifuru” during the second half of the concert. They made use of light by using a mirror ball.
An orchestral concert of music from the *Madoka Magica* movies. This picture was taken during the performance of “Hikarifuru” during the second half of the concert. They made use of light by using a mirror ball.
Executive Committee Chief Sasaki.
Executive Committee Chief Sasaki.

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