Lucky Star, Gigantor Made Honorary Residents of Hometowns

Flame · November 25, 2009, 08:50:24 AM

QuoteSatte, a city north of Tokyo, has announced on Tuesday that it is registering the family of the Lucky Star character Konata Izumi as residents. Lucky Star manga creator Kagami Yoshimizu — who came from Satte himself — is drawing a special certificate of residency for the fictional family, and the registration will take place on January 3 during the traditional New Year's holidays.

The high school senior Konata, her father Sōjirō, her mother Kanata, and her high school freshman cousin Yutaka Kobayakawa will be formally registered in the same city they live in the manga. The city will then offer copies of the certificate for sale.

Yoshimizu lived in Satte until last year, and the Satte City Chamber of Commerce and Industry renovated his former home after he moved out. The home has since reopened this past March as the "birthplace" of Lucky Star. The "Kimagure Studio Yoshimizu Kagami Gallery Satte" ("Whimsical Studio Kagami Yoshimizu Gallery Satte") now features a recreation of the Izumi family's fictional home. Yoshimizu's former address — Satte City Kita 3-14-18 — will be listed on the Izumi family's certificate of residency.

During the first three days of 2009, an estimated 300,000 visitors came to the Washinomiya Shrine, the Tokyo area's oldest shrine and a real-life backdrop for the Lucky Star anime. Otaku have been flocking to this shrine since the 2007 anime featured Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi — twin sister characters who supposedly work at the shrine as miko (shrine maidens). Satte is just east of Washinomiya.

In a separate development, Kobe Mayor Tatsuo Yada announced on Thursday that the city will issue a special certificate of residency to the "life-size" statue of the Tetsujin 28-gō (Ironman No. 28 or Gigantor) manga and anime robot. The certificate ceremony will take place at the statue on November 28.

The 18-meter-tall (59-foot-tall) statue was erected in Kobe to symbolize the city's revival after its 1995 earthquake and to celebrate the birthplace of Mitsuteru Yokoyama. Yokoyama not only created the Tetsujin 28 manga, anime, and live-action film, but also Giant Robo and Sally the Witch. The city reports that 500,000 have visited the neighborhood with the statue since it opened on October 4. 5,000 sheets of limited-edition Kobe Tetsujin Project stamps will be sold starting on November 27.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-11-24/lucky-star-gigantor-made-honorary-residents-of-hometowns

Wow. Just wow Japan.
Not like its THAT out of the ordinary though.

England actually has the home of Sherlock Holmes, (I think its actually like a walk in exhibit thing)

And in Manhattan, although someone lives there, Peter Parker's apartment.

But this is still pretty cool.

Wanda Bear · November 25, 2009, 08:54:34 AM

Hot damn! Time to go visit Kona-chan! *packs things*

Rin · November 25, 2009, 08:55:31 AM

loljapan

Solar · November 25, 2009, 09:00:19 AM

Eh, not really the weirdest I've read from Japan. IMO giving Raoh an actual funeral was weirder and yet awesomer >.>

Flame · November 25, 2009, 09:03:01 AM

Quote from: Taiyo on November 25, 2009, 09:00:19 AM
Eh, not really the weirdest I've read from Japan. IMO giving Raoh an actual funeral was weirder and yet awesomer >.>

THIS I've got to hear about.

Wanda Bear · November 25, 2009, 09:04:01 AM

Quote from: Taiyo on November 25, 2009, 09:00:19 AM
Eh, not really the weirdest I've read from Japan. IMO giving Raoh an actual funeral was weirder and yet awesomer >.>

The guy deserved one! D:

Solar · November 25, 2009, 09:10:16 AM

Quote from: Flame on November 25, 2009, 09:03:01 AM
THIS I've got to hear about.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article1674440.ece

Sure, a publicity stunt, but still...

Tickle Buffalo · November 25, 2009, 09:15:07 AM

Quote from: Flame on November 25, 2009, 08:50:24 AM
But this is still pretty cool.

ACTUALLY NO THIS IS COMPLETELY NOT COOL

Night · November 26, 2009, 02:00:13 AM

QuoteThe "Kimagure Studio Yoshimizu Kagami Gallery Satte" ("Whimsical Studio Kagami Yoshimizu Gallery Satte") now features a recreation of the Izumi family's fictional home.

I've heard of this before...

In fact:
[spoiler]

[/spoiler]