by In anime works, it is often set in natural land or used as a landscape motif. These places are called “sacred places” among fans, and there is a lot of “sacred place pilgrimage” movements around the places. Tachikawa City, located in the Tama area, almost in Tokyo, is one such anime sanctuary.
Are many anime works set in Tachikawa City, ” A Certain Magical Index,” “Gatchaman Crowds” Saint O” Titles such as “Nii-san,” “Samurai Flamenco,” “World Conquest Zvezda,” “Frame Arms Girl,” and “Persona4 the ANIMATION” are applicable. We will introduce three of these animations this time. These works reproduce the scenery of Tachikawa City well and carry out collaborative projects with local governments. “To Aru Majutsu no Index” This work is a battle action work that depicts the battle in a world where the conflicting things of science and magic conflict, and it can be said that it is a representative animation that you can see the scenery of Tachikawa city. I will. There is also an animation called “To Aru Kagaku no Railgun,” which is also the same as a spin-off work. These works are collectively called the “Toaru Series.” A fictional city called “Gakuento” will appear as the main stage in the film. In the TV anime version, the area around Tama Center Station and Tachikawa Station was adopted as the background model for this school city.
The scenery of Tachikawa City is used in the model at spots such as the north exit of Tachikawa Station, the Tama Monorail Tachikawa-Kita Station, the vicinity of Isetan, and the setting of Takashimaya. Furthermore, as a collaboration project with this “Toaru Series,” the Tachikawa Tourism Association (Akebonocho, Tachikawa City) has launched “Regional Promotion of Toaru Municipality.” It is focusing on attracting visitors to the city. As part of this, vending machines wrapping anime illustrations were installed, and buses operated around Tachikawa Station.
“Gatchaman Crowds” This is a derivative work of the popular anime “Science Ninja Team Gatchaman,” which has gained popularity since its broadcast in 1972 and recorded an average audience rating of 21%. A high school girl who an alien has given special abilities transforms into a “Gatchaman” and struggles with her friends to protect humanity. In “Gatchaman Crowds,” Tachikawa Station North Exit Granduo Entrance Showa Kinen Park (Midoricho, Tachikawa City), etc., appeared in the animation. By the way, this work was set in Tachikawa City in 2015. For that reason, the scenery of Tachikawa City is strongly emphasized in each scene, and the facility name may be used as it is in the animation.
Furthermore, in the production of the sequel “Gatchaman Crowds Insight,” it is said that more than 10 location hunting was done around Tachikawa station. Kiyoshi Yabashi of the Tatsunoko Production Business Department commented, “The location on the pedestrian deck in front of Tachikawa Station was a large-scale shooting with a life-sized character POP” (Tachikawa Keizai Shimbun, July 3, 2015). Therefore, it can be said that Tachikawa City was an essential factor in this work. In connection with this work produced with such effort, the pilgrimage to the sacred place also showed excitement. It is also noteworthy that we have realized a collaboration with the holy place pilgrimage app “Nijitabi.”
“Saint Old Man” Lastly, I would like to introduce a work in which Buddha and Jesus, who have survived the end of the century, land in the human world and live a loose communal life. Theatrical animation was released in 2013. In this work, Buddha and Jesus live in a cheap apartment in Tachikawa City, and along with that, many famous places in the city will appear. Ishizaka Shoten (Akebonocho, Tachikawa City), Sonobe Meat Shop (same as above), Nishikidaini Park (Nishikicho). What is interesting is that these spots do not just appear as landscapes. For example, Ishizaka Shoten sells a versatile seasoning called “Motodare.” Who is this, who is occurring at work?
Regarding the Sonobe Meat Shop (closed), there was a scene where Buddha and Jesus were cheering while making a famous croquette. Although this work carefully depicts each spot in this way, its commitment is not limited to the animation. There is a book called “Anime Movie Saint Young Men Official Guide as a related product.” Not only the story and character introduction but also the shops that appeared in work are posted there. Isn’t this also a form of commitment to Tachikawa City that can be seen from the anime works?
As mentioned above, Tachikawa City is often taken up as a stage and model for anime works. What is the reason for this? There are various theories, but one of them is the “coexistence of different landscapes.” First of all, the most impressive areas around Tachikawa Station are fashionable restaurants, department stores, and extensive commercial facilities such as IKEA Tachikawa (Midoricho) and LaLaport Tachikawa Tachihi (Izumimachi). There is also a monorail and an office district, from which you can experience a futuristic feel.
On the other hand, if you walk a little, you will find abundant greenery to have a quiet time. Showa Kinen Park is the best of all. There are also water fields such as Tamagawa Aqueduct, which flows in the north, Tama River, which flows in the south, and Zanbori River, which connects them. It is convenient for animation production to have varied landscapes, so Tachikawa City is preferred as a stage and model. Urban scenery and nature-rich scenery. Tachikawa is a city where both coexist with just the right amount of money. If the world calms down and you have the opportunity to visit Tachikawa, why not take a stroll while being aware of that?
