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In 2015, the anime production company Nippon Animation will celebrate its 40th year in business. To also mark 40 years of the studio’s representative work, World Masterpiece Theater, an exhibition entitled “World Masterpiece Theater Exhibit: 40 Years of Nippon Animation” will be held at the Tobu department store in Ikebukuro, Japan. The exhibition dates will be from July 30 to Aug. 18.
The “World Masterpiece Theater Exhibit” will feature a diverse line-up of famous Nippon Animation works, including A Dog of Flanders and Rascal the Raccoon. In the spotlight will be 30 key frame layouts for Anne of Green Gables by Hayao Miyazaki, which have never before been displayed to the general public. Anne of Green Gables, the fifth title by Nippon Animation, was directed by Isao Takahata for World Masterpiece Theater, and Miyazaki was in charge of scene setting for the first half of the series. His hand-drawn layouts are a must-see for fans!
Furthermore, image boards will be displayed depicting the world of these works. Featuring work by the so-called “god of animation,” Yasuji Mori, these image boards of great historical value will come from A Dog of Flanders, Monarch: The Big Bear of Tallac, and Bannertail: The Story of Gray Squirrel.
Many works by art directors will be on display, such as Masashi Ioka, who was in charge of background art on Anne of Green Gables and The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island; as well as pieces by Takamura Muko, who worked on 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother. In total around 100 artworks representing Nippon Animation will be displayed for the first time, including non- World Masterpiece Theater works such as Future Boy Conan and The Adventures of Maya the Honeybee. The display offers the chance to experience the charms of the works whilst viewing character designs and other artworks that draw you into the lives of the people in these stories.
Entry costs 800 yen for general admission and university students, 600 yen for middle and high school students, and children below elementary school age can enter for free. After the initial showing in Tokyo, the exhibition is scheduled to tour Japan for two years.
“World Masterpiece Theater Exhibit: 40 Years of Nippon Animation”
Date: July 30, 2015 (Thursday) to Aug. 18, 2015 (Tuesday)
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Entry Fee:
- General / University student: 800 yen
- Middle school / High school student: 600 yen
- Preschool children and below: Free
Source: animeanime
Source article written by Katsunori Takahashi
