Author: kotatsufestival

  • Christmas Screening: Tokyo Godfathers

    Christmas Screening: Tokyo Godfathers

    Join us for a seasonal screening of Satoshi Kon’s Tokyo Godfathers. Tickets can be purchased via the Chapter website, or from their Box Office on +44(0)29 2031 1050.

    Summary of Events

    Sat 21st Dec

    18:00

    Tokyo Godfathers (12)

    Also available:
    Marketplace
    Free Family Activities
    Manga Kissa

    Mon 23rd Dec

    13:50

    Tokyo Godfathers (12)

    Please note: Monday is screening only – the Marketplace and Manga Kissa will not be available.


    Saturday 21st December 2024

    18:00 Tokyo Godfathers

    Screenshot from Tokyo Godfathers, directed by Satoshi Kon
    © 2004 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Middle-aged alcoholic Gin, teenage runaway Miyuki and former drag queen Hana are a trio of homeless people surviving as a makeshift family on the streets of Tokyo. While rummaging in the trash for food on Christmas Eve, they stumble upon an abandoned newborn baby in a trash bin. With only a handful of clues to the baby’s identity, the three misfits search the streets of Tokyo for help in returning the baby to its parents. Often named one of the greatest anime films of all time, this is a sweet tale of togetherness on the streets.

    Japan | 2003 | 88 | 12 | Satoshi Kon | Japanese with English subtitles | Trailer


    Marketplace 11am – 6pm

    Kotatsu Festival Stand

    A selection of Kotatsu-related goods, comics, DVDs with affordable price. All money raised on this stand will be used to fund the festival next year. To reduce the use of plastic bags, please bring your own bags and polly pockets if possible.


    Photo of the Wazakka stal at Kotatsu Festival

    Wazakka

    A variety of handmade items such as bags and pouches.


    Photo of the Japan-bits stall at Kotatsu Festival

    Japan-bits

    A selection of amigurumi (crochet) characters and Japan-related goods.


    Free Family Activities (1pm – 6pm) in the cinema foyer

    Manga Kissa (Manga Café)

    We have a wide variety of manga and reading materials. Why not have a browse and settle down for some reading? We do our best to be sustainable, please consider donating your pre-loved comics/ books/DVDs to us.

    Please do not take any of the books home. You can buy them at an affordable price if you like.


    Photo of some of the books donated by Toy Corner

    Toy Corner

    We will have free activities available for families and children. Toybox Project has kindly provided us with pre-loved colouring and sticker books, as well as puzzles and games. After the event, some of the games will be donated to Chapter, while the others will be returned to Toybox Project.

    Toybox Project is a Wales-based organisation that collects unwanted toys and redistributes them to families in need. We can’t give away toys this time but you can collect from their warehouse if needed. Please book your visit.


    Photo of a kotatsu table draped with a quilt.

    Kotatsu Table

    Sit down and warm your feet while reading our comics.

    Please take off your shoes before entering.


    Monday 23rd December 2024

    13:50 Tokyo Godfathers

    Screenshot from Tokyo Godfathers, directed by Satoshi Kon
    © 2004 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Middle-aged alcoholic Gin, teenage runaway Miyuki and former drag queen Hana are a trio of homeless people surviving as a makeshift family on the streets of Tokyo. While rummaging in the trash for food on Christmas Eve, they stumble upon an abandoned newborn baby in a trash bin. With only a handful of clues to the baby’s identity, the three misfits search the streets of Tokyo for help in returning the baby to its parents. Often named one of the greatest anime films of all time, this is a sweet tale of togetherness on the streets.

    Japan | 2003 | 88 | 12 | Satoshi Kon | Japanese with English subtitles | Trailer

    Monday is a screening only.


  • Animator Talk – OGAWA Iku: Stop-Motion in Motion

    Animator Talk – OGAWA Iku: Stop-Motion in Motion

    Date: Friday 29 November 2024, 13:00 GMT

    Online talk event hosted on Zoom
    Free to attend – booking is essential
    This talk will be given with British Sign Language interpretation

    Book Your Space Now


    Promotional image for Pokémon Concierge
    ©2023 Pokémon. ©1995-2023 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK Inc.

    About the Event

    As part of the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2024, and in partnership with Japan Foundation London, animation director Ogawa Iku is joining us for a very special talk revealing the behind-the-scenes of stop-motion film-making.

    Giving exclusive insights into the direction and character creation processes of the animated works he has been involved in, such as HIDARI (screened at the 2024 Kotatsu Festival) and Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge, Ogawa will discuss what it is like to work in the Japanese animation industry – don’t miss this rare opportunity to discover its fascinating inner workings!

    This talk will be given with British Sign Language interpretation.


    Screenshot from HIDARI directed by Iku Ogawa
    ©dwarf/Whatever Co./TECARAT

    About Ogawa Iku

    Born in Tokyo in 1988. Completed a master’s degree in animation at the Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts. He started creating stop-motion animations in graduate school and Joined dwarf studios in 2016.

    His main works are the Netflix series Pokémon Concierge (nominated for the “Best Direction – TV/Media” category at the Annie Awards), the Netflix series Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure (episodes 2 and 5), the NHK Puchi Puchi Anime Akikan no Tsuna (Tuna in an Empty Can), HIDARI (co-directed with Kawamura Masashi), and more.


    Book Your Space Now


  • Programme Cardiff 2024

    Programme Cardiff 2024

    Summary Kotatsu Festival Cardiff 2024


    Unless otherwise stated, all films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
    For ticket information please contact
    Chapter Box Office on +44 (0)29 2031 1050

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  • Raffle Cardiff 2024

    Raffle Cardiff 2024

    Below is the complete list of raffle prizes to be won. Raffle tickets will be available at the Kotatsu stall during the festival for 50p each.

    STAR PRIZE


    Photo of framed artwork courtesy of Calon TV - showing various frames from The Drums of Noto Hanto.

    Framed Artwork – The Drums of Noto Hanto

    Courtesy of Calon TV

    Artwork from the 15 minute film, The Drums Of Noto Hanto (2000)


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  • Programme Aberystwyth 2024

    Programme Aberystwyth 2024

    Summary Kotatsu Festival Aberystwyth 2024


    Fri 25th Oct


    17:30

    Millennium Actress (PG)


    19:30

    Venus Wars (12)


    Sat 26th Oct


    10:30

    Blue Giant (12A)


    13:00

    Komada – A Whisky Family (12)


    15:00

    Memories (12)


    17:30

    Raffle


    18:00

    City Hunter the Movie: Angel Dust (15)

    Sun 27th Oct


    13:45

    Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (PG)


    15:35

    The Concierge (PG)


    17:00

    Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom (15)


    Unless otherwise stated, all films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
    For ticket information please contact

    Aberystwyth Arts Centre Box Office on +44 (0)1970 62 32 32

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  • Raffle Aberystwyth 2024

    Raffle Aberystwyth 2024

    Win your lovely prizes at the festival when you buy your tickets and donate to future Kotatsu events for just 50p per ticket.

    STAR PRIZE


    Photo of an original cel from the TV series Wil Cwac Cwac by Calon TV

    Original Cel Artwork – Wil Cwac Cwac

    Courtesy of Calon TV

    Original cel artwork from the TV series Wil Cwac Cwac.


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  • April Collab: Kotatsu at Cardiff Animation Festival

    April Collab: Kotatsu at Cardiff Animation Festival

    Get ready for a double dose of Japanese cinematic brilliance this April as Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival joins forces with Cardiff Animation Festival to bring you an exclusive bundle of Japanese animation goodness, featuring two remarkable films, BLUE GIANT and Lonely Castle in the Mirror.

    Cardiff Animation Festival kicks off 25th April 2024, bringing you another great selection of all things animation. Check out their complete programme line-up over at https://www.cardiffanimation.com, or search using #CAF24.


    Saturday 27th April


    3:50pm Lonely Castle in the Mirror

    ©2022 “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” Film Partners

    Cinema 2

    Seven teens discover their bedroom mirrors are portals, and they’re pulled from their lonely lives to a wondrous castle filled with winding stairways and watchful portraits. A girl in a wolf mask invites them to play a game.

    For ticket information please contact Chapter Box Office Box Office on +44(0)1970 62 32 32

    Japan | 2022 | 116m | 12A | Keiichi Hara | F-Rated | Japanese with English subtitles | Trailer (TBC)


    8:30pm BLUE GIANT

    ©2023 BLUE GIANT Movie Project
    ©2013 Shinichi Ishizuka, Shogakukan

    Cinema 1

    Dai Miyamoto is in the basketball club in middle school. One day, his friend takes him to a live jazz performance, which touches him on a deep level. From that point on, he begins to practice the tenor sax by himself, with no formal education, and no ability to read sheet music. He aims to become the world’s best saxophone player.

    For ticket information please contact Chapter Box Office Box Office on +44(0)1970 62 32 32

    Japan | 2023 | 120m | 12A | Yuzuru Tachikawa | Japanese with English subtitles | Trailer


    Join us this April as Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival and Cardiff Animation Festival proudly present these two exceptional films. With captivating storytelling and stunning animation, this showcase is sure to delight. Don’t miss out on this unique cinematic experience!


    Also available in our Marketplace – open all day (11am – 5pm)


    Kotatsu Festival Stand

    A selection of Japan/Anime/Manga related goods. All money raised on this stand will be used to help fund future Kotatsu Festival events. To reduce the use of plastic bags, please bring your own bags if possible.

    Wazakka

    Hand made bags, small pouches, Japan-themed items.

    Japan-bits

    Selection of cute amigurumi – hand made characters, and Japan-themed items.


  • Machine As A Hero? Free Online Talk

    Machine As A Hero? Free Online Talk

    Free Zoom Talk with FUJITSU Ryota
    10th Nov 2023 @ 6:30pm

    Anime fans! If you love giant robots, this one’s for you! Join us November 10th for an online talk by FUJITSU Ryota, an anime critic, as we explore the evolution of machines as characters in Japanese animation. The talk will take place on Zoom, so you’ll need the Zoom client installed on your device to take part.

    Book Your Space Now

    In partnership with Japan Foundation London.

    As part of the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2023, FUJITSU Ryota, Japan’s leading animation critic, will unveil mecha-anime from Japan, overviewing its characteristics. He will also discuss in this special online-talk, the progress of this genre in story as well as style, while referring to the social circumstances and viewership when these works were made.


    FUJITSU Ryota
    A Japanese anime critic. He became a freelance writer after working as a newspaper reporter and weekly magazine editor. His writing primarily focuses on anime-related topics and has been featured in magazines, BD booklets, and web media. His books include Anime ‘hyoronka’ sengen (The Declaration of an ‘Anime Critic’, 2003), and Channeru wa itsumo anime (Channels Are Always Anime, 2010). FUJITSU Ryota serves as an adjunct lecturer at Tokyo Polytechnic University and holds the position of programming advisor for the anime section of the Tokyo International Film Festival.


  • Programme Bangor 2023

    Programme Bangor 2023

    Summary Kotatsu Festival Bangor 2023


    Sat 11th Nov

    11:00 Liz and the Blue Bird (U)

    14:00 Patema Inverted (PG)

    17:30 The First Slam Dunk (12A English Dub)

    Sun 12th Nov

    14:00 The First Slam Dunk (12A Japanese/Subs)


    Tue 14th Nov

    17:30 Nico/Agony (12A)

    + Blue Thermal

    Wed 15th Nov

    17:30 Macross Plus Movie Edition (12A)

    Thu 16th Nov

    20:15 EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME (15)


    Unless otherwise stated, all films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
    For ticket information please contact
    Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre Box Office on +44(0)1248 38 28 28

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  • Programme Aberystwyth 2023

    Programme Aberystwyth 2023

    Summary Kotatsu Festival Aberystwyth 2023

    Due to unforeseen circumstances with our distributors, we can no longer screen Oblivion Island and Break of Dawn this year. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.


    Fri 20th Oct

    11:20 Patema Inverted (PG)


    14:30 The First Slam Dunk (12A)


    16:40 The First Slam Dunk (12A English Dub)


    19:15 EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME (15)

    Sat 21st Oct

    10:30 Liz and the Blue Bird (U)


    12:30 Nico/Agony (12A)

    + The First Slam Dunk (12A)


    15:00 Raffle


    15:20 Macross Plus Movie Edition (12A)


    Sun 22nd Oct

    13:45 Chieri and Cherry (U)


    15:35 Miss Hokusai (12A)


    17:15 Raffle

    + Re:cycle Of The Penguindrum Movie 1 (15)



    Unless otherwise stated, all films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
    For ticket information please contact
    Aberystwyth Arts Centre Box Office on +44(0)1970 62 32 32

    (more…)