COMMENTS
Taro Maki (General Producer)
With the distinguished support and efforts of Governor Hideaki Ōmura of Aichi Prefecture, Mayor Ichirō Hirosawa of Nagoya City, and all other parties concerned, we are honored to announce the inauguration of the Aichi–Nagoya International Animation Film Festival.
Animation, one of Japan’s most representative cultural industries, traces its origins to film. Since then, with each transition in media—from television to home video and, more recently, to online streaming—it has achieved remarkable development, steadily expanding its global audience. The advancement of digital technologies has further diversified not only artistic and technical modes of expression but also the thematic messages conveyed through animated works.
Through this festival, we aspire to serve as a driving force in disseminating, enhancing, and continuing the evolution of the value embodied in this increasingly diverse field of animation.
Shinichiro Inoue (Festival Director)
For the past three years, I have served as Festival Director of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival with a strong desire to elevate the status of animation, revitalize regional cities through its power, and expand networks of people both domestically and internationally through animation.
Thanks to the support of many, the Niigata International Animation Film Festival has seen increasing attendance year by year and a marked enrichment of its program. Through this experience, I have witnessed firsthand the potential of animation to contribute to regional revitalization. In Niigata, animation culture has firmly taken root.
I had considered my role there complete after three years. However, I was recently invited to contribute to the launch of a new animation festival in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City.
Nagoya is Japan’s third-largest city. Tokyo is the administrative hub, and Osaka is the commercial center. In contrast, what should Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya aspire to become? I believe that "culture and the arts" represent the ideal image to pursue.
The region’s renowned creativity and craftsmanship in the automotive, steel, and machinery industries resonate with the spirit of pop art. As Yoshiyuki Tomino, director of Mobile Suit Gundam, once described himself as "a man of the town," animation—like any craft—is supported by the dedication and skill of those working on the ground.
Through animation, I believe it is possible to create a new fusion of industry and culture in this region. The newly established Aichi–Nagoya International Animation Film Festival (ANIAFF) holds this potential. Its accessible location, convenient both for visitors from Kanto and Kansai as well as international guests, positions it as a festival brimming with opportunities for cultural exchange.
I am determined to contribute to the creation of a new animation culture here and to work alongside all of you to make ANIAFF a vibrant success. I sincerely hope for your support and cooperation in this endeavor.
Tadashi Sudo (Artistic Director)
"Globalization," "borderlessness," and "next-generation technology"—the world is undergoing profound change. Animation, at the forefront of visual expression, is often the first to reflect these cultural and societal shifts. By asking, "Where is animation headed?" and "Where should it go?", we gain a glimpse into the culture of the future.
The Aichi–Nagoya International Animation Film Festival aims to be a new kind of festival that captures and presents the emerging trends in the world of animation at the earliest opportunity. Cutting-edge animation culture from around the world will converge here, creating connections between the local community and the global stage.
Over the course of six exhilarating days, we hope to offer experiences filled with excitement and wonder—moments unlike any before. Our goal is to create a festival where something truly special happens, something that will be remembered.
Hideaki Omura (Governor of Aichi Prefecture)
I am truly delighted that an international animation film festival is being held for the first time in Aichi Prefecture. Our prefecture is not only known as the birthplace of many creators, such as Akira Toriyama, author of the globally popular manga “Dragon Ball”, and Kōhei Horikoshi, author of “My Hero Academia,” but is also deeply connected to animation culture through attractions like "Ghibli Park," which captivates fans from around the world, and the "World Cosplay Summit," one of the largest cosplay events in the world. By leveraging these regional strengths and welcoming talented creators from around the world, who bring diverse worldviews and exceptional creativity to their work, I am excited to see Aichi become a central hub of international cultural exchange and for the vibrancy of the entire local community to continue growing. I hope that through this film festival, visitors from around the world will experience memorable moments and meaningful encounters that are unforgettable.
Ichiro Hirosawa (Mayor of Nagoya City)
On the occasion of the inaugural Aichi-Nagoya International Animation Film Festival, I would like to extend my greetings on behalf of the host city, Nagoya.
This film festival is being held with the aim of gathering animated works from around the world and contributing to the development of Japan’s animation culture and industry, as well as talent discoveries and development through screenings, awards, and various related programs.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to all parties involved for their understanding and support in hosting this festival.
Nagoya is the birthplace of the World Cosplay Summit, and as a city, we have declared ourselves a "Cosplay Host Town" in our effort to become the best place in Japan to enjoy cosplay and anime and the world’s most welcoming city for fans. Moreover, our region is home to Ghibli Park—a one-of-a-kind park that expresses the unique world of Studio Ghibli, one of Japan’s proudest cultures honored globally—making animation already one of the key fascinations of this area.
By leveraging this animation culture, we will ensure and support this film festival to share the cultural value of animation with the world, foster diverse cross-border cultural exchange, and enhance the brand image of "Japan—the great animation nation."
I would like to conclude my congratulatory address by sincerely wishing for the success of this film festival and the animation industry to continue growing.