Awards Ceremony for TAAF2026

On March 16, Governor Koike attended the awards ceremony for the “Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) 2026” held at TOHO Cinemas Ikebukuro in Toshima Ward.

The governor said, “This year, we received more entries than last year, with submissions made from 74 countries and regions. The total number of entries reached 1,036. I look forward to seeing many talented animators eventually play an active part on the global stage, using this festival as a springboard.

“Animation transcends national borders and language barriers, connecting people across the world; it has become a universal language. Japanese anime captivates the hearts of many people worldwide with its eloquent expressiveness and profound storytelling. This festival connects the production sites with the outside world, powerfully transmitting Japanese anime culture to the international community. I hope that the encounters made here will open the door to new imagination,” she said.