ufotable, the animation studio known for works such as "Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel]" and "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kimetsu no Yaiba," announced on May 11th that it has acquired the former Mizuho Bank Tokushima Branch, a historical building in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. The company plans to inherit and utilize the building as a new hub for entertainment.
ufotable has previously operated "ufotable CINEMA" and "ufotable Cafe" in Tokushima City, and has contributed to promoting Tokushima through anime, including producing the anime event "Machi★Asobi" twice a year (spring and autumn) and cooperating with the "Awa Odori" festival. The acquisition of this building aims to further deepen these activities, pass on Tokushima's historic building to the next generation, and utilize it as a new entertainment hub.
A preview of the building will be held on May 16th and 17th during "Machi★Asobi Vol.30". The interior of the building before renovations will be open to the public, and large wall advertisements for works by ufotable will be displayed.
◇Comment from Mitsuru Kondo, representative of ufotable
I am deeply moved that this building, which has been a familiar sight since my childhood, is still here. I heard that it was built in 1928, making it 98 years old this year. It was a big decision for our company, but we decided to purchase it in the hope that it could contribute to the revitalization of the town. We will strive to make it a facility that can be used for Machi Asobi events and enjoyed by customers from both within and outside the prefecture on a daily basis.
As the first step in this project, we will be holding a preview during the two days of Machi★Asobi (May 16th and 17th). There are noticeable areas of damage and stains, but we believe that this is precisely what will allow people to feel the history of approximately 100 years. First, we want you to see it as it is now, and then we aim to renovate it into a modern facility. Furthermore, as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Machi Asobi, we will be exhibiting large tapestries (H10000 x W3400) of "Demon Slayer: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" and "Mahoutsukai no Yoru," and unveiling the first newly drawn illustration for the 30th anniversary of the "Tales of" series. The first newly drawn illustration features Cress and Mint from "Tales of Phantasia," and Jude and Milla from "Tales of Xillia." The tapestry measures H7500 x W12000. We hope you will look forward to it.
◇Comment from Tokushima Prefecture Governor Masazumi Gotoda
We look forward to seeing how your company's new facility, utilizing this historic building, will attract many fans from both Japan and abroad, and become a vibrant new hub in Tokushima, the "Water City."
◇Comment from Tokushima City Mayor Akira Endo
We believe that the fusion of animation, which has a strong ability to communicate and captivates many people, and historical buildings that convey the region's history to the present day, will create new value and greatly contribute to enhancing the region's appeal. We hope that this new hub will become widely popular with citizens and visitors, and that it will serve as a place of exchange that attracts many people from both within Japan and abroad, leading to further revitalization of the region.
