World's biggest festival of Japanese movies keeps growing

Arts
At 25, Frankfurt's annual Nippon Connection event retains its indie spirit
After more than two decades, Nippon Connection continues to spotlight the diversity and dynamism of Japan's film scene, from indie gems to major studio releases. (Source photos by Nippon Connection)
KYRA JAEGER
FRANKFURT, Germany -- The loud, comical squeak of a rubber duck fills the air, causing a room packed with fans of Japanese cinema to erupt into laughter.
The film buffs have gathered for a workshop to explore the art of creating sound effects for film, guided by Japanese foley artist Goro Koyama -- best known for helping craft the soundscapes of international blockbusters such as "Dune: Part One" (2021) and "Blade Runner 2049" (2017).

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

SoraNews24

2 hours ago

• SoraNews24

Ghibli anime art greeting cards are a canvas to tell friends and family how and why you care【Pics】

Studio Ghibli supplies the watercolor art, leaves the message up to you. In Japan, most greeting cards don't come with lengthy pre-written messages. Instead of preparing a declaration of laser-focused sentiment for you, like 'Grandma is so proud that you're graduating from middle school!', Japanese greeting cards tend to keep things short and broad. They might have a simple 'Happy birthday,' 'Congratulations,' or 'Thank you,' but generally the idea is that you'll supply the message yourself, with the card being something to please the eye and set the mood while you express your feelings in your own words. That brings us to this line of gorgeous Ghibli greeting cards. Each of them features a beautiful watercolor painting of characters or settings from the anime studio's beloved films on the front, but is blank inside, leaving it to you to tell the person you're sending it to why you chose this piece of artwork while thinking of them. Totoro, no surprise, is featured multiple times in the line. The scene of him traipsing through the tall grass with a leafy parasol is a great pick if you're following the Japanese custom of sending cards in summer to check in on friends and family and see how they're handling the heat… …as is the card depicting this nighttime ocarina concert. The good-times-with-good-folks vibes of these paintings make them an apt choice for sending to old friends you're looking forward to seeing again, even if you don't have any concrete plans in the near future… …and if you're the type that likes to plan ahead, for a fellow fan this card is practically a Christmas gift in and of itself. Since this Spirited Away card shows Chihiro's parents still under the curse that's transformed them into pigs, it's hard to say whether or not your own mom and dad would appreciate it, or if it's better to save it for a friend… …but this illustration of the approach to the bathhouse of the gods is one any fan of the movie will enjoy (as evidenced by the fact that it's the only design in the series that's currently sold out). We saw a peek of Princess Mononoke's Ashitaka earlier… …but he's got a second card too… …and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind strikes a similarly dramatic, determined pose. Castle in the Sky/Laputa's Pazu swooping in to rescue Sheeta works for both romantic gestures and friendly 'I'm here if you need me' reminders… …and finally, rounding things out is a much more relaxed aviation image, courtesy of Porco Rosso's flying boat. As an added bonus, the cards come with a special envelope bearing the Studio Ghibli logo with Totoro in profile, the same way he appears at the start of the studio's movies. And while technically these are all meant to be put in the mail or handed off to someone else, they also make excellent 24 x 15.8-centimeter (9.4 x 6.2-inch) mini posters that you can arrange in whatever array you want on your wall or on your desk. The cards are priced at 550 yen (US$3.80) each and, with the exception of the Spirited Away bathhouse design, are all available now through the online shop of Ghibli specialty shop Donguri Kyowakoku here thanks to a recent restock. Source: Donguri Kyowakoku Top image: Donguri Kyowakoku Insert images: Donguri Kyowakoku (1, 2) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

The Mainichi

3 hours ago

• The Mainichi

Retro Japan: Meiji-era school building in Okayama Pref. popular among cosplayers

TAKAHASHI, Okayama -- A wooden Meiji-era (1868-1912) building at a former elementary school in this western Japan city is a popular photo spot among cosplayers. Alarming notices, such as "regarding swords that can be drawn" and "firearms that can be brought in," appeared on the website of a certain event. What were they about? The notes were precautions for a cosplay event held at the former Fukiya Elementary School. While the "swords" and "firearms" in question referred to replicas and toys, restrictions were placed on what could be brought in to ensure safety. The wooden school building has been featured in TV dramas, movies and anime, making it a popular photo spot among cosplay enthusiasts. The event has been held at the site three times in the past. The east and west wings of the school were completed in 1900, and the main building was finished in 1909. Until its closure in March 2012, it was considered the oldest wooden school building still in use in Japan. This is an example of "pseudo-Western" school architecture representing the late Meiji era. The main building, with its clapboard siding, is symmetrically flanked by the east and west wings. The wide hallway on the main building's first floor also served as a gymnasium. Above it is a triangular truss structure framework, a distinctive feature of the pseudo-Western style. After the school closed, the building underwent preservation and repair work, and it has been open to the public since 2022. (Japanese original by Masashi Mimura, Osaka Photo and Video Department) * * * The Japanese version of this article was originally published on June 1, 2025. * * * This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.

Nikkei Asia

4 hours ago

• Nikkei Asia

World's biggest festival of Japanese movies keeps growing

Arts At 25, Frankfurt's annual Nippon Connection event retains its indie spirit After more than two decades, Nippon Connection continues to spotlight the diversity and dynamism of Japan's film scene, from indie gems to major studio releases. (Source photos by Nippon Connection) KYRA JAEGER FRANKFURT, Germany -- The loud, comical squeak of a rubber duck fills the air, causing a room packed with fans of Japanese cinema to erupt into laughter. The film buffs have gathered for a workshop to explore the art of creating sound effects for film, guided by Japanese foley artist Goro Koyama -- best known for helping craft the soundscapes of international blockbusters such as "Dune: Part One" (2021) and "Blade Runner 2049" (2017).