Saitama Prefecture x Anime "Ani Tama Festival" to be held on October 17, 2015, the 3rd edition!　New Tourism PR Corner by Local Authorities and Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Saitama Prefecture's large-scale anime event "Anitama Matsuri (Anime and Manga Festival in Saitama)" has announced the outline of its third edition.

The "Ani Tama Matsuri" is a large-scale anime event hosted by Saitama Prefecture, the first of which was held in 2013 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Omiya Sonic City. The theme of the event is "Anime and Sightseeing," with anime and manga works related to Saitama gathered under one roof, and each municipality where the anime takes place actively participates. 63,000 people visited the event in 2014.

This year's event, the 3rd edition, will be held on October 17. In addition to booths by companies/organizations involved in animation productions, a new tourism PR corner will be set up by local governments and associations of commerce and industry, and B-class gourmet foods and Yuru-tama cheering groups will also make an appearance. In addition, as media collaboration projects, there will be a live voice actor show hosted by Bunka Hoso and a talk and screening event of "Urawa no Chou (Usagi-chan)" hosted by TV Saitama. Details will be announced in early August.

◆Outline of the "3rd Anitama Festival (Anime & Manga Festival in Saitama)
Period: Saturday, October 17, 2015, 10:00-17:00 *Opening ceremony will be held from 9:30
Venue: Sonic City (1-7-5 Sakuragi-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City) Main Hall, Small Hall, International Conference Room, Exhibition Hall, Civic Hall, Event Plaza, Kanezuka Park
Admission: Free (some indoor live performances, talk shows, etc. require advance registration)
Official website: http://anitamasai.jp/
Organizers: Anitama Festival Executive Committee (Saitama Industrial & Cultural Center, Saitama Prefecture, Bunka Hoso, TV Saitama, FM NACK5, J:COM Saitama)

animeloLIVE! Presents Anison CLUB!-i in Sonic City
i (Anison Club!-i), a talk and live variety program to enjoy ani-song more with female ani-song/voice-over artists who are currently active as guests. The largest public recording in the program's history will be held!
Venue: Main Hall
MC: Emi Nitta, Ayaka Ohashi
Guests: *Some to be announced soon, several groups are scheduled
Admission: Paid (amount to be determined)

Ani Tama Festival talk show by popular Bunka Hoso A&G programs
The popular voice actors' program associated with Saitama will come to Sonic City! Details to be announced soon.

Anitama Festival PR Stage produced by Bunka Hoso
Performers from each venue on the day of the festival and various artists who want to promote their own activities will enliven the outdoor stage at Sonic City with talks and performances!
Venue: Event Square
Admission: Free

Talk and screening event of "Urawa no Cho-chan
Special talk & screening event at Anitama Festival by TV Saitama
Venue: Small Hall
Performers: To be announced soon
Admission fee: Paid (amount to be determined)

Summit of sacred places of anime in Saitama
Panel discussions and presentations will be held on regional development utilizing anime and manga.
Venue:*to be determined
Speaker: Professor Takayoshi Yamamura, Hokkaido University
Kunihiro Shimada, Deputy Director of Chichibu Regional Promotion Center, and others
Admission: Free

Exhibit Zone for Anime-related Companies and Organizations
A large gathering of anime's sacred places (stage locations) and popular animations of the season will be held.
Venue: Exhibition Hall
Admission: Free

Exhibition Zone for Municipalities, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, etc.
This is the tourism PR corner by local governments and associations of commerce and industry in the prefecture. B-class gourmet foods and Yurutama Cheering Squad will also be present.
Venue: Kanezuka Park
Admission: Free

Saitama Painful Vehicle Festa 03 (Concurrently Held)
Contest and exhibition of painted cars will be held.
Venue: Kanezuka Park
Admission: Free