Tokyo International Anime Fair Announces 10th Annual Event

Anime Festival marks its 10th Anniversary
Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011
Business Day: March 24 (Thu) – 25 (Fri)
Public Day: March 26 (Sat) – 27 (Sun)
TOKYO BIG SIGHT (East Exhibition Halls No. 1, 2, 3 and others)

The Tokyo International Anime Fair Executive Committee (Chairman: Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo) will host the “Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011” at Tokyo Big Sight from Thursday March 24 to Sunday March 27, 2011. This year’s fair is the tenth in the annual series. This fair is an international exhibition in which anime-related companies and organizations such as animation production companies, TV and film companies, toy and game software companies gather from both Japan and overseas. The fair has been held in spring every year since 2002, and it marks its 10th anniversary this year.

The 2011 fair consists of three main features: “Trade Fair” where visitors can obtain the very latest information, “Competition” which will see the best anime works being selected and presented with awards, and “Events” which offers features such as symposiums, stage events and special exhibitions.

– Highlights of TAF 2011 –

[Trade Fair] Large number of exhibitions by anime-related companies from Japan and overseas!

This year, 161 anime-related companies and organizations will participate at the venue of the Trade Show offering 480 booths (as of February 7, 2011). On Business Days, PR events and business negotiations will be held targeting business visitors, and many business visitors and buyers from inside and outside Japan come to see the fair every year. On Public Days, PR for new animations and booth events will be held for general visitors, so not only domestic and international anime fans but also families can enjoy the fair. Moreover, the fair is also making an effort to foster young creators by offering a “Creators World” that provides business opportunities to support gifted young creators.

[Competition] Which work will win the “Animation of The Year?”

“Tokyo Anime Award” is the 10th competition for anime works. Last year, the theatrical animated film “SUMMER WARS” won the Grand Prix award, “Animation of The Year” There are two categories: “Nomination Entries” for commercial anime aired, screened and sold in Japan over the past year, and “Open Entries” for general entrants including those from overseas, with the aim of seeking out new talent. Those chosen as the best works will be awarded various prizes and an awards ceremony will take place. As an international anime festival, the number of open entries reached 396 works from 19 countries including Japan (304 of them are overseas works). There will also be a ceremony for “Special Contribution Awards” held to honor people contributing to the development of the animation industry.

[Event] Packed with events that kids and families can enjoy
Events that people with children or families can enjoy such as character shows for kids and anime song live performances will be held on Public Days. On Business Days, symposiums and lectures by foreign VIPs and front-line creators and researchers will also be held. Further, we plan to hold a 10th anniversary special planned exhibition.