Kyoto-Born Anime “Chikatetsu ni Norutt” to be Screened and Exhibited at the World’s Largest Anime Film Festival, Annecy International Animation Film Festival’s Side Project

The short animation work *Chikatetsu ni Norutt*, planned and produced by Toray Eizo for the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau, has been chosen for screening and exhibition at the “Indie Animation Feature” booth within MIFA (Marché international du film d’animation), the business market attached to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. Held in Annecy, France, this is the world’s largest animation film festival, and *Chikatetsu ni Norutt*’s selection is a fantastic recognition.

A Beloved Project Promoting Kyoto’s Subway

*Chikatetsu ni Norutt* is a content series created to promote the Kyoto Municipal Subway. It features Uzumasa Moe, Matsuga Saki, and Ono Misa, three inseparable childhood friends who serve as dedicated support characters for the subway and city buses. They are joined by Moe’s older sister Uzumasa Rei, Misa’s older brother Ono Ryo, and Juujou Takeru. The project’s activities began in 2010, starting with the core trio of Moe, Saki, and Misa. They were originally conceived as PR characters by the city of Kyoto’s “Young Staff Customer Increase Team,” which was established in the same year. In 2013, when Moe and her companions were selected to appear on subway usage promotion posters, their character designs received a fresh new look courtesy of general design office GK Kyoto and illustrator Kamogawa. Since this renewal, the project has grown and expanded across a wide variety of promotional media under the banner of the “Subway Usage Promotion Project *Chikatetsu ni Norutt*”.

From left: Uzumasa Moe, Matsuga Saki, Ono Misa

From Crowdfunding Success to the Big Screen (and Beyond!)

The short animation work itself was brought to life in 2016. With the approval of the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau, anime production company Toray Eizo launched a crowdfunding campaign that successfully garnered support exceeding 10 million yen. This incredible backing allowed the animation to be produced. It was completed in 2017 and enjoyed a theatrical release at the end of that year, and is currently also being streamed on YouTube.

*Chikatetsu ni Norutt* Short Animation

Heading to Annecy’s MIFA Market

This recent selection places *Chikatetsu ni Norutt* within the “Indie Animation Feature” booth at MIFA (Marché international du film d’animation). This dedicated space aims to showcase the charm of Japanese independent anime creators and their works to visiting animation industry professionals and producers from around the globe through monitor screenings and panel exhibitions. As the series makes its debut in France, all eyes will be on how this charming indie anime from Kyoto is received on the international stage.

Exhibition Booth Image

Exhibition Details

■Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Name: Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 Accompanying Market MIFA “Indie Animation Feature”
• Dates: June 10th (Wednesday) – 13th (Friday), 2025
• Venue: Imperial Palace, Annecy, France (MIFA Venue)
• Organizer: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
• Operator: Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), a specified non-profit organization
• Cooperation: studio ALBLE Inc.

(C) Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau 2013-2025

《Nakase Koutarou》
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