For two vibrant days in April, the city of Kochi became a living anime world. The Kochi Anikuri Festival 2025 welcomed over 24,000 visitors to celebrate the art, creators, and culture of anime. With stage shows, exhibitions, cosplay parades, and interactive workshops, the event transformed Kochi into a colorful crossroads of creativity and community.
Kochi Transforms Into Anime Paradise for Two Days
On April 5–6, the city of Kochi in Japan’s Shikoku region came alive with anime magic. The Kochi Anikuri Festival 2025 attracted 24,300 visitors, a 145% increase over the previous year, turning downtown Kochi into a festive celebration of all things anime. The event was part of the “Kochi Anime Creator Sanctuary Project,” led by Kochi Shinkin Bank in collaboration with local governments.
Events stretched across the Kochi Prefectural Gymnasium, the Obiyamachi shopping street, Kinema M theater, and surrounding areas—proving that anime can truly take over a city.
What Made Anikuri 2025 a Must-See Event
The festival kicked off with an opening ceremony featuring greetings from Kochi Prefecture Governor Shoji Hamada and leaders from the anime and finance industries. One of the major highlights was the “Kochi Anime Creator Awards,” which honored outstanding short works from 293 submissions across Japan. The Grand Prize went to Shuzuku for their work Kujira o Yume Mu (“Dreaming of Whales”).
At the Kinema M theater, award-winning shorts were screened for the public, bringing creator stories directly to the fans.
From Stage Shows to Cosplay: A Look at the Highlights
Both days featured packed stage events with major anime names. Voice actors Takeo Ōtsuka and Misaki Kuno appeared to discuss their roles in The Apothecary Diaries, while director Fuuga Yamashiro and the team behind Dandadan shared behind-the-scenes insights.
The second day hosted a live concert by the Anison Days crew from BS11, including powerful performances by Hiroko Moriguchi. Other events included a cosplay parade through Obiyamachi, performances by the World Cosplay Summit champions, and family-friendly entertainment like Anpanman shows and character photo ops.
Anime Meets Local Culture in Kochi’s Vision for the Future
Beyond fandom, the festival emphasized anime’s potential to support regional revitalization. With hands-on workshops in animation and 3DCG, art demos by local animators like Takayuki Hamada, and booths offering full-body scanning and VR animation tools, the event aimed to inspire a new generation of creators.
The Kochi Anikuri Festival has become more than an anime gathering—it’s a celebration of imagination, youth engagement, and regional pride. With continued support from the Kochi Anime Creator Sanctuary Project and the Chiiki Mirai Foundation, the city is working toward becoming a new cultural hub for anime in Japan.
Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or new to the scene, the Kochi Anikuri Festival is a vibrant example of how anime can connect communities, spark creativity, and bring cities to life. Follow the official channels below to catch highlights, updates, and maybe plan your visit for next year!
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anicre_kochi/
- X https://x.com/kochi_anikuri
- YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@kochianicre/shorts
- 高知アニクリ祭ウェブサイト https://www.combank.co.jp/KochiAnikuri/
- 高知アニメクリエイターアワードウェブサイト https://www.anikuri.jp/
©高知信用金庫／高知アニクリ祭実行委員会
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