# Article Summary:
– Keynote: The annual Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival is back on the menu, rejuvenating Welsh venues since 2010.
– Fun Fact: A “Kotatsu” is an inherently Japanese furniture, a table donned with a heated blanket, making it the global poster child for comfort and warmth.
– Remember: The festival showcases the best of Japanese animated films, injecting Japanese art and culture into the heart of Wales.
## Closing Thoughts and Hot Take:
Warm up those popcorn machines and let’s get toasty underneath our proverbial Kotatsu, as we prepare to bask in the glow of Japanese animation. The Kotatsu Festival, now something of a Welsh tradition, brings the best of Japanese animation, and with it, a cultural exchange that’s as warm as the festival’s namesake.
I know it may sound like an avant-garde film club meeting, but let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to take a plunge into the riveting world of Japanese animation? If yearly traditions were an art, then Wales has certainly become the Picasso of hosting animation festivals. Just remember, unlike an actual Kotatsu, this festival won’t warm your feet but it’ll definitely set your heart ablaze with the vibrant and dynamic world of Japanese animation. Animation, culture, and heated blankets – or rather, the idea of them – what’s not to love?
Join us for the Relaunch of Kotatsu Festival, Featuring a Lineup of Unparalleled Japanese Animated Films.
Since 2010, the Kotatsu Festival has found its home in various locales around Wales. The ‘Kotatsu’ is a piece of furniture unique to Japan, draped in a cozy quilt or futon with a heat source beneath. It’s ideal for warming your feet and legs amid family gatherings or during those long and frosty winter nights. So, step inside, wrap yourself in the blanket, and lose yourself in exceptional Japanese animation.
Held in CARDIFF CHAPTER
Save the Date: OCTOBER 5 – 6
Grab your tickets from the Chapter Box Office: +44 (0)29 2031 1050
https://www.chapter.org/seasons/kotatsu-festival-2024
For complete line-up details, visit: https://kotatsufestival.com/blog/2024/09/programme-cardiff-2024/
Film Highlights
This year, we’re showcasing six feature films, three of which are Welsh premieres—The Concierge, City Hunter: Angel Dust and Komada– A Whisky Family. This offers a unique chance to witness revolutionary films before they are screened elsewhere.
In collaboration with the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival in Japan, we’ll also present a series of six short films from independent Japanese animators, featuring SHISHIGARI, a notable work from the Director of Look Back, Kiyotaka Oshiyama.
Live Music Performance
We’re delighted to announce that Jero11 is returning this year! He’s a talented guitarist and shamisen player whose compositions remix traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern rock vibes. Don’t miss his performance on Saturday!
Raffle
Try your luck with our raffle for a chance to win exciting prizes like Anime Blu-ray/DVD sets. Tickets cost 50p each and are sold throughout the festival. For detailed information, visit: kotatsufestival.com/raffle.
Marketplace & Manga Kissa
Shop for Japan-inspired crafts, Manga comics, and DVDs at our marketplace. Join Jero11 on Saturday or meet the Japanese Calligrapher Yukiko Ayers from London on Sunday. We welcome Manga/Comic/DVD donations – all proceeds help fuel future Kotatsu events.
Come Dressed in Your Cosplay Best!
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/events/event/kotatsu-japanese-animation-festival-2024/