We’re bringing you two fantastic films this Spring. The Last Blossom and 100 Meters are both must-see movies that you won’t want to miss. In partnership with Cardiff Animation Festival.
“What a pathetic life it’s been”
An elderly inmate serving a life sentence awaits a lonely death in his solitary cell—until a voice calls out to him. It belongs to a balsam flower, Housenka, that speaks like a human. Through their “conver
sation”, the old man begins to reflect on the life he’s led.
Japan | 2025 | 1h 30m | 18 | Baku Kinoshita | Japanese with English subtitles |
Togashi is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort. But in sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what. As years pass, Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track, revealing their true selves.
Based on the manga by Uoto (Orb: On the Movements of the Earth), don’t miss this introspective yet adrenaline fuelled film directed by the award winning Kenji Iwaisawa (On-Gaku: Our Sound).
Japan | 2025 | 1h 46m | 12A | Kenji Iwaisawa | Japanese with English subtitles |
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.
Sat 20th Dec
18:20
Also available:
Marketplace
Free Family Activities
Manga Kissa
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
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.
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.
Please take off your shoes before entering.
Online event
Free to attend – booking is essential
This talk will be given with British Sign Language interpretation
Talk by Professor KANOH Seiji
This session will be hosted on Zoom. Once your registration is accepted, we will send you an access code and two reminders before the event.
Numerous Japanese animators have laid the foundation for Japanese animation. OHTSUKA Yasuo (1931 – 2021) is one such animator whose contributions deserve greater recognition. OHTSUKA actively contributed to the field from the early 1950s. In the 1960s, he recognised the talents of TAKAHATA Isao and MIYAZAKI Hayao, enthusiastically nurturing them and collaborating on now world-famous works such as Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro.
As part of Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival, partner of the Japan Foundation, KANOH Seiji, specially appointed professor at Tokyo Zokei University will discuss the significance of OHTSUKA’s work and ethos in this exclusive online talk, as well as the lasting impact he has had on anime fans and creators for generations to come.
A Japanese film scholar, specially appointed professor at Tokyo Zokei University, and representative of the Institute of Isao Takahata & Hayao Miyazaki Films.
As a leading scholar of Japanese animation, Professor KANOH has served as a planning advisor and catalogue contributor for major exhibitions including “Isao Takahata Exhibition: His Legacy to Japanese Animation” (2019, Tokyo); “The Man Who Made Japanese Animation” (2025, Tokyo); and “Isao Takahata: Pioneer of Contemporary Animation, from the Post-War Era to Studio Ghibli” (2025, Paris).
His publications include “The Complete Works of Miyazaki Hayao” and “The People Who Built Japanese Animation: New Edition”.
Win your lovely prizes at the festival when you buy your tickets and donate to future Kotatsu events for just 50p per ticket.
Courtesy of The Wasabi Company
Spirit of Japan Gift Set contains a 50ml bottle of each of our unique award-winning spirits: Wasabi Vodka, Yuzucello, Sansho Spiced Rum and Shiso Gin. All of these craft spirits, inspired by the flavours of Japan, are Great Taste Award winners, with our Sansho Spiced Rum winning the coveted 3 stars.
10:30
Manga Workshop
1h 30m
13:00
ICAF screening (PG)
14:50
Raffle
15:10
Screening of works by students from Tokyo Zokei University
All films are in Japanese with English subtitles.
For ticket information please book in advance
17:30
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time(12)
19:30
Summer Wars(12A)
10:30
Wolf Children(PG)
13:00
Mirai (PG)
15:30
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle(15)
18:00
Raffle
18:30
Perfect Blue (18)
13:40
Ghost Cat Anzu(PG)
15:30
The Colors Within (U)
17:20
COLORFUL STAGE!The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing (12A TBC)
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will no longer be able to screen Totto-chan. Instead, we will be showing Mamoru Hosoda’s Mirai.
We’re very sorry for the inconvenience. Tickets for Totto-chan will be refunded, and if you’d like to see Mirai instead, you can purchase your tickets here.
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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11:00
Totto-Chan (PG TBC)
13:25
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (12)
15:30
Summer Wars (12A)
18:30
Jero11 Live peformance (PG)
20:30
Perfect Blue (18)
11:30
Ghost Cat Anzu (PG)
13:35
The Colors Within (U)
15:45
Wolf Children (PG)
18:10
Raffle
19:00
Reception in Foyer
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
We’re partnering up with Cardiff Animation Festival for a screening of Ghost Cat Anzu as part of their Weekender event!
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
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.
