Introduction to the Toei Animation Museum

On July 28th, the new Toei Animation Museum opened its doors to the public.

Located in the Oizumi area of Nerima Ward, Tokyo, on the first floor of the world-famous Toei Animation's New Oizumi Studio building, the museum allows visitors to learn about the various steps of creating anime through a series of interactive displays, view video clips and read about Toei Anime works from across the decades on a giant interactive screen and enjoy photo opportunities with cutouts and life-sized figures of famous Toei Animation characters. The temporary exhibit space currently features the popular Precure anime series. There's also a museum shop where you can buy goods to please kids of all ages.

Getting There

The easiest way to get to the museum is to take the train to the Oizumi-gakuen Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro line. When you exit the train, you may hear a few notes from the opening song of Galaxy Express 999, one of Toei Animation's most famous anime. Just outside the station, you'll see Maetel and Tetsuro at Oizumi Anime Gate, greeting you to the neighborhood.

The Toei Animation Museum is a 15 minute walk away or just a few minutes away by bus. When you approach the building, you won't miss the entrance.

Entrance

Admission is free, so once you've passed the main entrance, you'll find an inner courtyard with a statue of Pero, from the film Puss in Boots, the beloved mascot character of Toei Animation.

First View

Step inside the museum, and you'll be greeted by a giant monitor displaying Toei Animation's most popular current series, such as One Piece. The information desk is also conveniently located here, if you have any questions about the museum.

Move in a bit closer and you'll find a panel explaining the museum's layout:

Interactive Information Display on Animated TV Shows and Films

One of the centerpieces of the museum, this giant panel allows visitors to navigate through 60 years of animated TV shows and films.

You can either let the images float around until you see one you recognize or have interest in, then touch it to bring up a panel providing more information and video clips if they're available.

Information is also available in English.

Model sheet storyboard

Using examples from several Toei Animation series, this panel explains who storyboards are made.

Key animation in-betweens

These "flip-books" are used to work out and smooth out animation between frames. You can even flip through them yourself.

Background cells

Using a sliding bar, you can see what the scene looks like with and without the backgrounds.

Life-sized anime figures for photo opportunities

Special Event Space: Precure Asobi Hiroba

Fans of the Precure series, now in its fifteenth incarnation with Hugtto! Precure, will want to take pictures here:

Step in front of this interactive screen and you'll be able to digitally transform into characters from the Precure series.

Chalkboard Space

Chalk and supplies are provided so you can try your hand drawing your favorite Toei Animation characters.

Gift Shop

The friendly staff will help you find accessories, goods, apparel and mementos from Toei Animation series like Dragonball, One Piece and the Precure series.

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Museum Details

• Address: 2-10-5 Higashioizumi, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 178-8567
• Access: 15 min. walk from the Seibu Ikebukuro Line's Oizumi-gakuen Station.
• Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Last admission is at 4:30 p.m.)
• Regular closings: Wednesdays (there are also irregular closings)
• Admission: Free
• Inquiries: Tel: 03-5905-5115 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
• Website

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Read our interview with Hugtto! Precure producer Keisuke Naito