Yoshiyuki Tomino and Reira Tanaka take the stage at the "88 Sacred Sites of Japanese Anime that Anime Fans Around the World Have Chosen to Visit" presentation report.

The "88 Japanese Anime Holy Places to Visit" (2018 edition), chosen by anime fans around the world, was announced on August 26, 2017. The "Anime Tourism Association" selected 88 anime-related spots in Japan based on votes from anime fans in Japan and abroad. The aim is to create tourism resources and regional development through "pilgrimages to sacred places" by fans who visit anime venues.

The announcement was made during C3AFA TOKYO 2017, a major character and hobby event held on Saturday, August 26. The event was attended by Yoshiyuki Tomino, animation director and chairman of the Anime Tourism Association, Shinichiro Inoue, former editor-in-chief of "Newtype" and senior managing director of KADOKAWA, former Morning Musume, and current member of the band LoV. Former Morning Musume and current LoVendoЯ vocalist Reina Tanaka took the stage.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Tomino said, "Anime has evolved as a medium over the past 10 years. That is why anime tourism has been established," he said. "As an association, we have come to see the problem of 'traffic congestion at sightseeing spots. It is our role to solve this problem in the future.

Also appearing on the stage was Akihiko Tamura, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency. The fact that the votes of anime fans from all over the world decide on the award is something that can only happen in Japan, a country with an advanced anime industry. I hope that anime tourism will be a catalyst for local residents to enliven their cities and provide a satisfying experience for anime fans," he said, congratulating the presentation.

Regarding the "88 Anime Sacred Sites" announced this time, Tanaka said, "I am interested in the Eva sacred sites because I have been told that I look like Asuka from 'Neon Genesis Evangelion. On the other hand, Mr. Tomino joked about the 88 sites selected, saying, "I don't like them. I don't like them because they don't have any works that I was involved in," he jokingly laughed. Looking at the selected areas, he said, "I think that the power of anime should be used to make the Hokkaido area a little more exciting. The reason I don't see that is because there are a lot of people in the animation industry who, like me, only think about themselves (laughs)," he added with self-deprecation, looking forward to future development.

The event also featured video messages from manga artist Leiji Matsumoto and voice actor Toru Furuya. Mr. Matsumoto expressed his delight that the Kitakyushu Manga Museum was selected in his hometown of Fukuoka Prefecture. Mr. Furuya also expressed his hope that anime fans visiting from around the world would enjoy the museum, and concluded his message with the familiar line, "Anime Mecca 88, ikimasu! and concluded his message with the well-known line, "I'm going to Anime Mecca 88!

Next, local government officials from Gifu, Saitama, and Tottori prefectures appeared as guests from among the 88 selected sites. Mr. Miyatake, Mayor of Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, said that 80,000 people have already visited the city this year, thanks to the "Kimi no na wa. He reminded the audience of the great influence of anime.

He also introduced photos of Mr. Tanaka's practice of anime tourism. Ms. Tanaka visited the National Museum in Tokyo, where the anime film "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" was set. Ms. Tanaka, who was photographed in various places in the museum, recalls, "I became the main character, Makoto. She was also caught on camera gazing intently at the exhibit of the Japanese sword Mikazuki Munechika, which appears in the game "Sword Dance," and seemed to enjoy the outing. He concluded his memories by saying, "There are things that you can't feel unless you actually go there, so I urge everyone to go.

Here, Mr. Tomino had a few words to say. I would like to say, "Don't put everything into anime. I want people to have a broad perspective, starting with anime, but I want people to use it as a starting point to research the historical background of the buildings, etc.," he said, expressing his thoughts on anime tourism in the strict but loving way that only Mr. Tomino can.

At the closing of the event, Mr. Inoue summed up the event by saying, "In a sacred anime site, a small scene on a street corner turns into something special. I hope people in Japan and around the world can experience that kind of feeling because it enriches our hearts in our daily lives. Mr. Tomino said, "There are many difficult issues in each region, but I hope that anime tourism will be a catalyst for action. The event ended with all the speakers expressing high hopes for anime tourism to revitalize local communities.

(Reporting and writing by Menegi Takahashi at TRAP)