Toei Animation Gallery

According to the website and various sources, the Toei Animation Gallery was 15 min. from Oimizu Gakuen station. I had a map (or taken a picture of one) but was quite worried about the directions. I didn't have to worry afterall since upon heading to the north exit, I discovered a map that points to the museum along with photographs of the buildings you see when you turn the corner. After taking a pic of that map, I was on my way. I first headed to the area where I could see the remanents of the Galaxy Express 999 celebration last year (or 2 years ago?) Sure enough, I found a huge wall with Maetel and the legendary train.

This was afterall the station that had the train and conductor for a day. Along the way to the gallery, I also traces of the celebration.

I discovered that the animation gallery was across from a recording studio. I wonder if it was for Toei Animations since I noticed the gate and the sign.

I turned towards the gate for the gallery.

At the gate, I gave my name and address and received a visitors badge. Upon entering through the front doors, I saw a big sign for Pretty Cure

A long hallway led to the main gallery. Upon the walls were various pics from old anime.

At the entrance to the main gallery, I wrote my name and address again and the staff gave me a pamphlet and pointed to a box of filmstrip bookmarks (like the ones in the Ghibli Museum) and said simply, 'omiyage.'

They were of the anime Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro and I got permission to take pics. I chose a filmstrip of the main cast. Later, one of the staff gave me another filmstrip bookmark, this time of One Piece. It also had the main cast on it. Of course, I thanked him profusively.

The gallery consists of two areas, one being the main gallery. The museum's main feature is the exhibition of the anime of their choosing. It just so happens that it is Dragonball and it's incarnates.

All along the walls and in the cases were the cel-type pictures, sketches, settei, etc from the anime.

Those change every couple of months, but what remained unchanged are the pictures that of older anime along the upper walls.

There were several tvs at various corners of the room. One played all Dragonball openings and endings. Others played OPs ad EDs of other anime.

There were some really old ones, including the original Cutey Honey. *sings* "Kono goro hayari no onna no ko..."

Trunks! He is sooo cute! ^.^

There was a corner for Pretty Cure. There were two computer consoles with a game on it along with picture books.

I looked over some of the books.

Two scooters were situated next to two lifesized statues of two of the main characters from the series. Which ones are they? Well, I don't know since I don't really follow the various timelines. ^^;

Nearby, there was a book that visitors can write/draw in. There were alot of drawings in there, some very good. Below were storyboards that you could look at.

Along one wall were various types of animation devices. I have seen them many times (yesterday and at the Ghibli museum) but it is always good to familiarize myself with them. Also, they were made to be hands-on for kids.

One of the staff came over and explained in detail (in Japanese) what they were. I barely understood her but got the gist of what she was saying. (They are so nice! ^.^) I played around with all the devices. Such fun....

Along another wall were all the anime that Toei Animation Studios has made. First, there were only a few per year in the early years...then the list go very, very long.

I stared at some of the titles before heading into the next area.

After leaving the main gallery, the left entrance leads to a smaller area that is first filled with figures of various series.

There was even the gun of Queen Esmeraldas! O.O

The above is a larger figure...kinda the size of a plushie. Maybe it's suppose the 1/2 scale of Arale? ^.^ They even had a case filled with dvds...

I also found a little figure of the 'filming' process of cels in anime....

There is a smaller hallway similar to the first, with old anime pics along the walls. Glass cases are filled with old anime items, my fav being from Sailor Moon *drools*

There is also a lounge with cel-type pics of various anime.

The small gift shop sold items from Kitaro and Pretty Cure. After taking everything in, I left the gallery and returned my badge to the gatekepper.

retrospective

The Toei Animation Gallery was another place I wanted to hit in my visit to Japan several years ago. It is smaller then the Suginami Animation Museum I saw yesterday, but has a charm all it's own. As mentioned before, the main gallery changes depending on the anime focus. The pamphlet that I was given had settei pics from Dragonball as well as some full pictures. It's nice that the Toei studio has a gallery nearby. My only wish is that I would love the chance to visit the studio itself. ^^; I guess I can dream....