JET Programme Series: The Animation Museum in Suginami, Japan's home of anime - Michelle Amoroso

Japan is well known for its animation or anime as Japanese animation is called. It is a billion-dollar industry that entertains, educates and employs thousands of people yearly. While some places like Akihabara and Ikebukuro are popular destinations for anime culture, Suginami is where the largest number of animation studios are located. Here they include Studio Sunrise (makers of the Gundam franchise anime) and Studio Bones (makers of Fullmetal Alchemist) among other popular, classic and iconic animated shows.


In February this year I visited the Tokyo Polytechnic University Suginami Animation Museum in Ogikubo, Suginami. This charming museum hosts a collection of animation displays such as the history of animation in Japan, life size figures and modern animation techniques. It also has lots of interactive exhibits where visitors can experience what it’s like to draw, animate, and add sound to animated movies. You can view animated movies and read manga in its library and movie theatre, and see rotating displays of featured animation and costumes. The museum also hosts weekly workshops teaching different techniques of animation (such as traditional pencil and paper drawing, digital, and Claymation). A fun way to spend a few hours and learn new things!


Michelle Amoroso
JET (Japanese Exchange & Teaching) Program Assistant Langauge Teacher
Tokyo


JET Programme Series: The Animation Museum in Suginami, Japan’s home of anime (Japanese Embassy Facebook)


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