The world’s largest anime event, Anime Japan that is held every year in Japan with the catchphrase “Anime no Subete ga, Kokoniaru (Every Anime is here)”. This article will introduce the ways to enjoy AnimeJapan for first-timer as well as those who wanted to know about the differences as it is being held online!
□What’s “AnimeJapan”?
AnimeJapan is an anime event that is held every year in March, in Tokyo Big Sight since 2014. Due to the infection of the coronavirus, it was not held last year, but it will be held online this year!
When we talked about an anime event, it has an image of focusing on a single product. However, during the two days of AnimeJapan 2021, which is March 27, 2021 (Saturday) and March 28, 2021 (Sunday), you will be able to enjoy a total of 54 programs of over 40 works that consist of announcement of the latest anime and a talk show featuring the voice actors of the currently broadcasting work!
Moreover, up until 2019, you will need to be physically present and enter a lottery to spectate the stage activities. However, as it is being held online this year, anyone in this world will be able to spectate it just by purchasing the ticket.
It as if “AnimeJapan2021” had come back as an event where any anime fans can participate in.
□Featured Stage Activities
AnimeJapan has prepared various event, but the most anticipated one is “AJ Stage”. There will be a total of 3 stages held concurrently from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM featuring talk show on current broadcasting anime as well as the latest anime announcements, where all of them can be watched for free online during these two days!
The voice actors from the popular works will appear! There will also have a live performance♪
The stage will be packed with popular works, such as “Jujutsu Kaisen”, “World Trigger”, “Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou”, and “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime”, but the most stage that had gathered the most attention is “Anime ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ Stage” on the first day.
It will be talk shows featuring the main cast members, Hanae Natsuki-san, Kito Akari-san, Shimono Hiro-san, and Matsuoka Yoshitsugu-san, along with Hino Satoshi-san from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train”, overwriting the record of Japanese films history movie that is currently on screens, and Konishi Katsuyuki from the upcoming “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Entertainment District Arc”. Don’t miss their conversation and the latest information that might be announced!
Don’t miss out the first stage of day 2, “TV Anime ‘Attack on Titan’ The Final Season Special Stage”.
The main cast members, Kaji Yuuki-san, Ishikawa Yui-san, Inoue Marina-san, Kamiya Hiroshi-san, Hosoya Yoshimasa-san, Hanae Natsuki-san, and Sakura Ayane-san will made an appearance, and since it is being held right before the finale of the current broadcasting anime series and the original manga, their conversation will surely hype you up!
“AnimeJapan 2021 Official Ambassador Nishikawa Takanori Live Stage” on day 1 and “TV Anime ‘KiraKira☆Pretty Cure A La Mode’ We Tried a Talk Show & Mini Live! Stage” on day 2 are the planned live performances. So, don’t miss out on these stages!
There will also be new information about the latest anime! Other than the current broadcasting works’ stages that also feature the original author, there will also be stages for the latest anime. The highlights is “Latest Project of Agematsu Noriyatsu X A-1 Pictures X Aniplex” on day 1.
As the “detailed information will be announced on stage”, currently there is no information, such as the anime name, about this project at all. However, when we talked about Agematsu Noriyatsu-san, he would surely announce something that is related to music as he has provided music for various anime works and anime songs singer, as well as handled the original work of the “Symphogear” series.
Also, the guests for this stage are Chiba Shouya-san, Furukawa Makoto-san, Nanami Hiroki-san, Horie Shun-san, Eguchi Takuya-san, Shimazaki Nobunaga-san, Nagatsuma Takuma-san, Yano Shougo-san, Masuda Toshiki-san, and Aoi Shouta-san. Surely this will give some hints on this secret project.
Among the stages that mainly featured voice actors, the original author Kawahara Reki-sensei and abec-sensei will appear along with the main cast members in “‘Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night’ Special Stage” on day 1 and the illustrator Kishida Mel-sensei will appear in “‘Blue Reflection’ Project Special Stage” on day 2.
Also, for the stage “Original TV Anime ‘Zombie Land Saga Revenge’ Pre-broadcast Event ‘Sa~te! AJ no Zombie-san ha…’ (Ok~ay! The AJ’s Zombie is…)” on day 2, it was written “Franchouchou (Honda Kaede, Tano Asami, Taneda Risa, Kawase Maki, Kinugawa Rika, and Tanaka Minami), etc. (planned)” on the description, the “etc.” part will surely increase the expectation as it seems that there are some surprises in planned, so do look forward to it!
This stage is held at the same time as “Attack on Titan”, but since the footage can be watched any time during these two days, thus both footages can be watched. (*Do take note of the archive streaming period)
□ Not only the stage activities, but there are also other interesting contents prepared despite AJ Stage provide the main contents of AnimeJapan to the various anime fans.
The “AJ Studio”, which provides the organizer’s plan and anime information, will also stream various programs, and the highlight is “Production Works Channel”.
This is the broadcast version of Production Works that usually reveal and explain the anime creation process via the panel exhibition up until now. This time, the creation process of the anime’s script, footage production, and music will be explained by the creators of “Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop”, “Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway’s Flash”, and “Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon” respectively. This is a recommended program for those who wanted to know more about the anime production process as well as for those who want to work in the anime industry.
Do check out on AnimeJapan’s official goods. The tin badges and acrylic stands featuring the characters wearing the T-shirt with the AnimeJapan logo are the limited edition product, especially the acrylic stand as it depicts the full-body illustration of the character that can’t be seen in the key visual. So, go grab the goods of your favorite character!
□Summary of the ways to enjoy AnimeJapan 2021♪
As it will be held online for the first time, the ways to enjoy “AnimeJapan” have drastically changed comparing to 2019. The biggest merit is that you can spectate the premium stage without undergoing the lottery just by staying at home!
Thus, for those first-timers of AnimeJapan and those that wanted to participate but unable due to distance and ticket problems, this is your chance to participate in it just by securing the day ticket of the stage activities that you are interested in.
The biggest charm is that by securing a single ticket, you can enjoy the various stage activities along with the hidden programs. After watching your favorite stage activities, you can also watch the stage activities of the works that you don’t know or the latest anime announcement, and you might be able to expand the scope of your interest in this way. As the archive streaming of the same day is something new, the anime that caught your interest might be your next favorite works!
At the same time, if your favorite voice actor is present, you will be able to watch the various stage that he/she is appearing as well. This is the hardest enjoying method of the past “AnimeJapan” as it difficult to obtain the ticket. Especially Kaji Yuuki-san as he has the title of “Mr. AnimeJapan” since he will be appearing in 5 stage activities on March 28, so the ticket for March 28 is a must-purchase for his fans.
As there are other voice actors, who will also appear in various stage activities, so do check out the program list!
OIn overall, as it is being held online, AnimeJapan 2021 has more freedom and you will be able to enjoy it more in your own manner. As it remained unknown whether it will be held online for next year onward, so don’t let go of this precious chance for those who know the way to enjoy AnimeJapan as well as first-timers!
□ Purchase the ticket at the official website!
The streaming ticket for AnimeJapan 2021 can be purchased upon registering for an account on the official website. The payment method is not limited to credit card payment, as payment via convenience store and bank transfer are available, so those that don’t own a credit card can be at ease.
The price for a one-day ticket is 3,080 JPY, while the two-day ticket is 7,300 JPY. As the two-day ticket has a small discount, do consider it. The streaming period is from 9:00 AM of March 27 (Saturday) to 11:59 PM of Mach 28 (Sunday). (Inclusive of archive streaming period)
