ANIME NEWS: PiFan set to feature Japan anime July 15-25 in South Korea

The annual Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) takes place in the South Korean city from July 15-25 this year. Since its launch in 1997, the festival has grown in scale and increased its presence in the field of "fantastic films."

Now in its 14th year, the festival brings together about 200 feature-length and short films from around the world in the science fiction, suspense, fantasy, horror and action genres.

The festival has eight sections--including the official competition section with a lineup of 12 works--as well as special programs and retrospective screenings.

An Asian film festival, PiFan includes many Japanese films and animations every year, and this year is no exception.

Of special note is the Japanese anime "Gintama The Movie," an entry in the Puchon Choice competition section. The only other Japanese work in this section is "Confessions." As the sole animated film, "Gintama" will be up against feature films for the Best of Puchon, Best Director and Jury's Choice awards, among others.

The Ani Fanta section focuses on animations, and many Japanese anime are shown in this category. This year, "Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky," a recent theater release, will be screened, in addition to "Planzet" and "Negadon: The Monster From Mars," both directed by Jun Awazu.

One of two specials in the retrospective series is "Asian Major Studio--Sunrise Mobile Suit Gundam: Memories of Universal Century," which focuses on the robot animation. The "Mobile Suit Gundam" first movie trilogy, the "Mobile Suit Z Gundam" trilogy and the first episode of "Mobile Suit Gundam UC" will be screened. It is rare for such films to be featured in South Korea, and this event is sure to delight local Gundam fans.

和約

アジアの映画祭は毎年沢山の日本の映画が公開される。今年は韓国で映画祭が行われたが、日本のアニメは現地の人々を喜ばせた。

感想

世界に通用する日本のアニメはすごいですね。

単語

event　出来事

fantastic　魅力的な

annual　毎年の

festival 　お祭り

film　フィルム