'Song Of The Sea', Isao Takahata Win At Tokyo Anime Awards Festival

Here in the west, when we say "anime" we're specifically referring to animation that originates from Japan. It's occasionally also used to describe "anime influenced " western animation like Wakfu or Avatar: The Last Airbender- although we here at AFA wouldn't refer to it as such. To the Japanese though, "anime" is just the term used to describe animation regardless of its origin. Ask a Japanese person their favourite anime and they're as likely to name a Disney film as a Studio Ghibli production.

The Tokyo Anime Award Festival is therefore intended to celebrate the best in animation from across the globe, and took place Toho Cinemas Nihonbashi from the 19th- 23rd of March 2015. The event, which ran for only the second time this year, is divided into two categories: The "competition" and "Anime of the Year". The latter category awards animation that has been released in Japan, between October 2013 and October 2014. Meanwhile the Competition category is designed to recognise animation from other countries that has not yet received a Japanese release.


The Competition Grand Jury Prize was given to Tomm Moore's Song Of The Sea. Moore's Celtic charmer has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Oscar and France's Cesar, but this is only its second win so far. The Best Film award went to French CG effort Mune. Other winners in the category can be seen here.

The Anime category Grand Prize went to Frozen (in features) and Ping Pong (in television). CGI update Stand By Me Doraemon and Yokai Watch were the recipients of Best Film and Best TV series respectively.

The Tale of The Princess Kaguaya was also a winner, with Studio Ghibli legend Isao Takahata winner of the award for best director. See the rest of the winners in the Anime Category here.

[source]