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.
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.
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.
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)
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!
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.
Hand made bags, small pouches, Japan-themed items.
Selection of cute amigurumi – hand made characters, and Japan-themed items.
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.
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.
We are very excited to announce a special Xmas screening of Tokyo Godfathers, written and directed by Satoshi Kon. Tickets can be purchased via the Chapter website, or from their Box Office on +44(0)29 2030 4400.
On Christmas Eve, three homeless people living on the streets of Tokyo discover a newborn baby among the trash and set out to find its parents.
Japan | 2003 | 88‘ | 12 | Satoshi Kon | Japanese with English subtitles | Trailer
The manga kissa reading area makes a welcome return. Why not settle down in our comic corner and read some of your favourite manga or general Japan-related books or magazines. If you have any spare reading material, please consider bringing them along and donating them to our reading area for others to enjoy.
The majority of reading materials are kindly donated by Andrew Offiler from Calon. Thank you Andrew!
Please don’t take them home, so others can enjoy!
Hand made bags, small pouches, Japan-themed items.
Anime critic Ryota Fujitsu hosts a discussion about Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning film ‘Spirited Away’, with live translation by Kaori Onoda. Please make sure you have watched ‘Spirited Away’ before attending this event.
Online via Microsoft Teams
9 April 2022
11am – 12:30pm
Suitable Age: 13+
Email us at info@kotatsufestival.com or you can also register your booking via the Eventbrite website.
Facilitated by Cardiff Met School of Art and Design
Please attend all 5 days to get the most out of this animation workshop. Note: Lunch not provided
Cardiff Central Library
25-29 April 2022
10am – 4pm
Suitable Age: 8+
Email us at info@kotatsufestival.com or you can also register your booking via the Eventbrite website.
Please contact us at info@kotatsufestival.com, or register via the Eventbrite links above.
