Karin, 11 years old, finds herself abandoned by her father in a small Japanese town, where her grandfather, a monk, resides. Her grandfather asks Anzu, his jovial and helpful, although rather capricious, ghostcat, to look after her. As their spirited personalities collide, sparks fly—yet perhaps only in the beginning.
Japan | 2024 | 1h37m | 15 tbc | Yōko Kuno, Nobuhiro Yamashita | Japanese with English subtitles | F-Rated | Trailer
Marketplace (11:00 – 17:00)
Kotatsu Festival Stand
A selection of Kotatsu-related goods, comics, and DVDs at an 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 poly pockets if possible.
Wazakka
A variety of handmade items such as bags and pouches.
Japan-bits
A selection of amigurumi (crochet) characters and Japan-related goods.
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.
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.
Wazakka
A variety of handmade items such as bags and pouches.
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.
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.
Kotatsu Table
Sit down and warm your feet while reading our comics.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
FreeZoom 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.
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.
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
