Tokyo Lights up the Night with Anime Projection Mapping

Inspired by the nightlife in Thailand, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko has set policy goals to attract more tourists, with outdoor displays of anime playing a pivotal role in enhancing night-time activities.

Tokyo’s night-time tourism offerings are set to start featuring all things anime. In February, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko embarked on a three-day visit to Thailand, where she explored the city's major night-time attractions, and observed the illuminated historic buildings along the Chao Phraya River. Inspired by the tour, Governor Koike noted the potential of leveraging the night-time economy to breathe new life into Tokyo.

ANIME TOKYO NIGHT, which ran from March 15 to 23 at the Toshima Civic Center in Ikebukuro, featured famous scenes from【Oshi no Ko】, WIND BREAKER, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and DANDADAN on a giant outdoor screen. The experimental event, made possible with eight state-of-the-art projectors and audio equipment, was planned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and its related organizations.

Governor Koike’s administration and related entities also recently organized the nightly projection mapping show “Tokyo Night & Light,” and introduced a similar program to integrate Japan's cultural strength in anime.

As part of Tokyo's strategy for 2050, Governor Koike has set policy goals for 2035, including an effort to make Tokyo the “best city in the world.” A key component of this plan is to attract more tourists at night, with anime playing a pivotal role in enhancing night-time activities.