Manga and Anime are another part of Japanese culture!

In the Ariake and Aomi areas of Koto-ku, you can see Manga and Anime characters. Are these characters known in your country?

(1) Ceramic Relief of Tezuka Manga Characters

Photo 1: Ceramic relief “Tezuka Osamu, Characters on Parade” (Concourse of Kokusai-Tenjijo Station)

Tezuka Osamu (1928-1989) is the father of Manga. Reliefs of 36 characters from his works are displayed in the concourse of Kokusai-Tenjijyo Station on the Rinkai Line (see Photo1). They include “Jungle Emperor,” “Astro Boy,” and the genius surgeon “Black Jack". The relief, extracted from a 1976 poster by Tezuka Osamu, is approximately 2.6 meters long and 8.8 meters wide, and was installed here in 2019.

(2) Popular photo location for cosplayers

Photo 2: Yumeno Ohashi Bridge

On weekends during the pleasant season, young people often dress up in costumes of Manga and Anime characters and take photos on the Yumeno Ohashi Bridge (see Photo 2).

The bridge is 360 meters long and up to 60 meters wide. It has no power lines and is closed to cars, making it a popular place to take cosplay photos. This bridge was built in 1990. 

(3) Doraemon Time Square

Photo 3: Doraemon Time Square (in front of the first-floor entrance of Diver City Tokyo Plaza Building)

“Doraemon” is a Japanese Manga series that began in 1969 and has been adapted into an animated TV series and a movie series. Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot from the 22nd century, helps Nobita, an elementary school boy who is not good at studying or exercising, by using futuristic goods such as s flying propeller and a transportation door. Doraemon Time Square (see Photo 3) is opened in 2019. The clock is approximately 3.8 meters high and 4 meters wide. Every 0 minutes from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm, the red curtain is opened and the dolls inside play music. The music has a daytime version and a nighttime version.

(4) Gundum

Photo 4: Unicorn Gundum (Festival square, in front of the 2nd floor entrance of Diver City Tokyo Plaza Building)

“Mobile Suite Gundum” is an Anime TV series that began in 1979. Gundum is a robot piloted by a boy. The cockpit is located behind the Gundam’s face. At the festival square, you can see a life-sized unicorn Gundam, 19.7 meters tall and weight 49 tons (see Photo 4). The Gundam transforms from Unicorn Mode to Destroy Mode at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm. Before the transformation times, the area is crowded with tourists. There is also a night show. This Gundam was installed here in 2017, as the third generation. The performance schedule and access are showed below.

https://www.unicorn-gundam-statue.jp/en/#about

 (Yasuko)