Fuji TV has plans to produce three animation projects set in the three prefectures most badly damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake to mark the disaster's 10th anniversary next year.
In cooperation with local governments and companies in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, the television network will promote the projects -- one television series and two films -- with the aim of enticing visitors to the area through so-called "anime tourism," in which anime fans visit the locations depicted in their favorite series or films. The broadcasting company has said that great effort will be made to ensure that these new animated projects will be well-loved for a long time to come to generate continuing support.
Since the disaster, Fuji TV has held storytelling events and events teaching the importance of good eating habits as a means of supporting the children in the affected areas. It also established in 2012 the Zutto Oen Project (Always supporting project), which aims to support people of all ages through a variety of related events, including animated film screenings.
The anime production plan, launched in 2017, is one of this project's endeavors that focuses primarily on anime tourism, also known as "seichi junrei," or a pilgrimage to sacred places, which has become a noted catalyst for local revitalization.
"While infrastructure reconstruction proceeds, forward-thinking support for these areas is vital," said chief producer Yukiko Takase. "It would be wonderful if the anime [we produce] ignites interest in the beauty of those places and keeps the memories and lessons from the disaster from fading away."
The anime series is titled "Bakuten!!," the Japanese word for backflip. It is set primarily in Iwanuma, Miyagi Prefecture, telling the story of a group of high school boys who are also rhythmic gymnasts. Its 12 episodes are set to be broadcast from April to June next year.
The films -- "Misaki no Mayoiga" (The House of the Lost on the Cape), set in Otsuchi and Tono in Iwate Prefecture, and "Hula Fulla Dance," set in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture -- are scheduled to hit theaters in 2021.
Local governments within the prefectures have high hopes for the project, partly because the Tohoku Japan Destination Campaign, a large-scale tourism campaign by East Japan Railway Co. and six prefectures in the Tohoku region, will also be taking place from April to September next year.
Iwanuma Mayor Hiroo Kikuchi is looking forward to the campaign and the anime set in the city.
"I want to make efforts toward regional revitalization in collaboration with the campaign, which will run concurrently with the anime's broadcast," he said.
"Misaki no Mayoiga" is based on a novel by Sachiko Kashiwaba, who lives in Iwate Prefecture's capital, Morioka. It depicts the prefecture's beautiful landscape.
The protagonist of "Hula Fulla Dance," Hiwa Natsunagi, loses her sister in the disaster. After graduating from high school, she becomes a hula dancer at Spa Resort Hawaiians, a real spa resort in Iwaki. The character has already made her debut as an official PR character.
"Through her cheerful and spirited personality, I think the audience get a feel for our city's spirit of moving forward with hope, without succumbing to difficulties," Iwaki Mayor Toshio Shimizu said.
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