一般④ 外国人に知られているアニメ作品三点とその舞台となった場所
In Japan, anime culture has become an indispensable part of our society. Many companies use anime characters in the advertising or even create their own anime characters or mascots as a way to revitalize their region. So it is very easy to find statues or landmarks and sites dedicated to the anime culture and their creators. I would like to introduce three anime works and related spots so called pilgrimage sites which are popular to foreign visitors.
1. Token Ranbu 刀剣乱舞
This anime started as an online web browser game by Nintendo in 2015. Featuring character growing simulation system as a theme. Extremely good looking boys that personify japanese legendary swords from actual history interact each other defeating enemies in historical battlefields. Since the launch anthropomorphized swords have attracted the hearts of people from around the world. They turned in to two T.V anime series, mangas, musical performance and even a new word. Recently, the word Toujoshi, (刀女子)which directly means “sword girl,” fangirls of swords has appeared in Japan. Thanks to this tendency some museums like Kunozan Tosho Temple（久能山東照寺）was able to raise enough money by crowdfunding to renovate their 10 treasure swords. Or another interesting incident is that Tokugawa Museum in Mito has found a legendary sword destroyed by fire according to the information transmitted.
Legendary swords are treasured in all over Japan in shrines and temples, castles with interesting episodes of historical daimyo owners. Tokyo Metropolitan Museum has good collection, too.
2. Naruto
This is a manga appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and is an epic ninja adventure that became a global phenomenon. For those who loved Dragon Ball, this series turned out to be candidate successor. This work was broadcasted in more than 80 countries so far and
Naruto was once erected as one of 100 most respected japanese as an only non-real image in Newsweek 2006. Pilgrimage place is Naruto & Bokuto Shinobi-ZATO an animation athletics park in Awajishima, Hyogo Prefectures.
3. Pokémon
Pokémon or Pocket Monsters started as a game soft for Game Boy handheld system in 1996 from Nintendo. Since then it has gone on to become the highest-grossing media franchise of all time. From card games to wrapping of jumbo jets for japanese aircraft firms.
Pilgrimage places for Pokémon are west exit of Shinjuku station, Akihabara station, Kinshicho station, Nakano station and Ikebukuro station. All stations popular for japanese sub culture. Also there are 12 Pokémon Centers all over japan which specialize Pokémon goods. In Tokyo, at historical department store Takashimaya or Tokyo Sky Tree has Pokémon Center and is always very crowded with foreign visitors.