[Protoform-S]

The Tokyo International Anime Fair (known as “TAF”) is the world's largest anime exhibition. Held every spring at Tokyo Big Sight, the exhibition features a “trade fair” with booth exhibits by anime-related companies, “events” including spectacular stage performances and theater movie showings/displays, and the “Tokyo Anime Awards” in which outstanding anime works are presented with awards. Every year the exhibition attracts the attention of people throughout the world for its extensive program. Through the kind support of a diversity of people inclusing business users, families, and anime fans, TAF 2006 (held in March 2006) featured exhibits by 256 companies (73 from overseas) and welcomed a record 98, 984 visitors over the four days of the event.

- Taken from the Tokyo Anime Fair Official Website

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I was fortunate enough to be in Tokyo when the Tokyo International Anime Fair/Festival opened its doors to the public. I got to go to the Fair on the last day...March 25. And believe me, it was well worth it.





The venue is the Tokyo Big Sight. To say that the venue was BIG is an understatement. The Tokyo Big Sight was an impossibly huge complex. The TAF only occupied 3 exhibit halls of the west wing...and it took more than 15 minutes just to reach the exhibit hall entrance from the main entrance.

I was excited about what to see in the anime fair. This is the first time I or any CybPH member have set foot on the Tokyo Big Sight...let alone be in the renowned Tokyo Anime Fair.



The first thing that would greet you is the Astroboy billboard. The booth features the works of Astroboy's creator, Osamu Tezuka.




I wanted to stay a bit longer, but I realized I wouldn't have time to go to the other booths.

A lot of animation companies participated in the fair. I'm not sure of the exact number, but I'm sure it surpassed the previous year's.




I passed by the this area wherein they were showing clips, pictures, and toys of vintage cartoons. Noteworthy is the human sized EVA unit in the area. Sadly, they didn't allow me to take any more pictures of the area.







The Yamato booth had a profile of Shoji Kawamori and samples of his work. A lot of Valkyries were on display there. You can see it in our .



Of course, I wouldn't want to miss the Takara Tomy booth.



I was disappointed with their displays. They had several toylines under their name...and yet they only displayed 1 zoid and 2 transformers in one display shelf....and a diaclone base in another.



They did have a small area that is focused on the upcoming Transformers movie. A video of Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay was being shown. They also had a MP01, MP05 Megatron and the leader class movie Optimus Prime. However, Takara officials did not allow us to take pictures. Heck, they didn't like me taking a pic of the movie logo here.



The booth opposite Takara-tomy welcomed us to take pics of their displays. Lots of giant robo stuff...something super robot collectors would appreciate.



More booths and the Power Puff girls dancing on stage.



The bandai-sunrise booth was one of the most impressive ones I've seen. They've got a huge area, and their displays included the upcoming (now released) GX36 Ideon. You can check out the pics in our .



There wasn't a cosplay contest (at least when I got there). But the ladies were very much willing to have their pictures taken. Indulge ;D








And of course, who would forget the mascots. Too bad I couldn't get closeup shots of all of them. I think I missed out on Son Goku and the Power Puff girls. The Keroros were a real crowd drawer. I had to stretch my arms just to get some good shots.






You can view the rest of the pictures in our website .

[vader]

Now that's what I'm talking about 8)

Man, that place looks huge.

Thanks for sharing these with the rest of us, Stephen.

[Ziggy Stardust]