Japan Foundation Presents 'Summer Explorers 2' Anime Screenings in London

This summer sees the return of the Japan Foundation's Summer Explorers event in London. Following the success of last year's event, the foundation will screen five rarely screened animated films from Japan across two weekends. The screenings will take place on Saturday July 30th at BAFTA and on August 8th at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green Road. The events are free but pre-booking is required.

The event also includes Japanese taster sessions (July 30th only) and the screening of Princess Arete will be introduced by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy. Full details below.

July 30th

11:30-17.00

• Hanakappa: Adventure in the Butterfly Kingdom (Kazumi Nonaka, 2013, 60min, 11.00 am)  Hanakappa discovers that his and his friends' mothers have all been kidnapped and sets off on a journey to the “Butterfly Kingdom” to rescue them in a fun story of courage, friendship and the bonds between parents and their children. Recommended for ages 8+ (English subtitles)
• Princess Arete (Sunao Katabuchi, 2001, 105min, 12.30 pm) Kept in a castle by her father, Princess Arete spends her days watching the world go by when one day a wizard offers to marry her and take her away, but will Princess Arete finally be free or will she just be imprisoned by another keeper? Recommended for ages 8+ (English subtitles) Introduced by Helen McCarthy.
• Tamako Love Story (Naoko Yamada, 2014, 83min, 3:00pm) A light-hearted depiction of the ordinary but fun life of Tamako, the daughter of a mochi (Japanese rice cake) shop owner, and her blossoming romance with a childhood friend, Mochizo. Recommended for ages 12+ (English subtitles).

August 8th

12:45- 16:30

• After School Midnighters (Hitoshi Takekiyo, 2012, 95min, 12:45pm) Kunstlijk, an anatomical model that stands in a school’s science room and who comes to life at night, plots a plan for revenge after three naughty students decide to vandalise and dress him up in silly clothes. Age Classification (TBC) (English subtitles)
• Mind Game (Masaaki Yuasa, 2004, 103min. 2:40pm) A typical love story it may seem, but things take a strange turn when wannabe cartoonist Nishi, who is given a second chance at life, is reunited with his high school crush, Myon. Recommended for ages 18+ (English subtitles)