still from animated film over the sky featuring two people standing in a curved line of white buildings under a blue sky

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2022

The Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival returns this autumn with another excellent line-up of films for audiences in Wales.

This year’s great selection includes Inu-Oh, the latest film from acclaimed and award-winning director Masaaki Yuasa, the much loved Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and stop-motion indie animation Junk Head. Director Takehide Hori’s film debut took seven years to complete, and the film was highly praised by Director Guillermo del Toro.

Since the festival’s inception, one of its goals has been to act as a gateway into the diverse world of Japanese animation. This year, a short film by Akiwashi called Living in a World Without Magic is being showcased. This animated music video was her university graduation project and also the first creation of Euluca Lab, the creator team to which she belongs.

New this year, at Chapter there will also be a free reading corner, giving fans the opportunity to read some of their favourite manga, or general Anime/Japan-related books and magazines for all ages, and of course they are in English and Japanese. Any Kotatsu fans who may not be able to afford as many tickets as they’d hoped this year because of the ongoing cost of living crisis can still go along, join in the festivities, and feel included!

Any pre-loved comics/books/magazines are very welcome, so please take them along to Chapter if you are happy to donate them to a good cause. Please don’t take them home afterwards, so others can also get a chance to enjoy them!

At Chapter and Aberystwyth Arts Centre, there will be an all-day festival marketplace, selling a variety of Japan/Anime/Manga related goods. Finally, there is the festival raffle, which will be held at Chapter and Aberystwyth Arts Centre to fundraise for future events. 

  • ​​​​​Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff: 1st – 2nd Oct 2022

  • Aberystwyth Arts Centre: TBC

  • Pontio, Bangor: 31st Oct – 5th Nov 2022