News
Fanworks Makes Anime Inspired by Prehistoric Japan
posted on by Egan Loo
The character design studio Fanworks is producing an anime project about culture during the Jōmon period of Japanese prehistory. The northern Japanese prefecture of Aomori and the non-profit organization Jomonism are sponsoring the project. Aomori has prehistoric ruins and artifacts, such as earthen clay figures, that date back to 16,500 to 3,000 years ago.
The anime draws inspiration from Kukkuru ~Hikari no Michi~, a tentatively titled picture book written by Hiroyuki Aihara and illustrated by Fuyuko Shimoda. Aihara wrote The Bears' School (Kuma no Gakkō) picture books which are also being animated into a theatrical film this year. Yukiko Inoue is directing the anime project, which aims to generate fresh interest in Aomori's Jōmon ruins. A 20-second trailer of the anime is streaming on the YouTube website.
The anime and the art from the picture book will be on display in Tokyo on January 23 and 24. The free "Jōmon x jomonism Art Exhibit" will highlight art from young artists that have been inspired by Jōmon art and culture — alongside actual artifacts from the prehistoric period.
Fanworks has also worked on the Toyama Tourism Anime Project to promote sightseeing in the western Japanese prefecture of Toyama last year.
Source: animeanime.jp
