Dragon statue unveiled in Kochi Pref. town
15:42 JST, July 23, 2022
KOCHI — A statue of a dragon character from “Ryu to Sobakasu no Hime” (Belle) was unveiled Friday in Ochi, Kochi Prefecture, where the animated film is set.
Director Mamoru Hosoda’s movie features several places in the prefecture, including the Niyodo River, which runs through the town. The Aso Submersible Bridge, which spans the river, also appears in the story on the route the main character Suzu (Belle) takes to school, and it has become a popular place to visit for the animation’s fans.
The dragon character’s piercing eyes, sharp fangs and cape have been elaborately rendered in this about 2-meter-high and 2.6-meter-wide statue. Originally created by figurine maker Kaiyodo Co., the statue was later purchased by the Ochi town government for about ¥5.5 million.
“The statue captures the dragon’s features very well and was made with passion,” said Hosoda, who attended the unveiling ceremony at the Yokogurayama Natural Forest Museum. “I’m sure children will have a good time with it, taking pictures with it and getting inside the cape.”
As to why he chose the town as the film’s setting, the director said, “The beauty of Niyodo River harmonizes with the lives of the people living in the area. I imagined that Suzu must have lived here as well.”
The statue will be on permanent display on the museum’s third floor along with panels that compare some of the area’s locations to how they are depicted in the movie.
"Culture" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Yoasobi To Be Invited to White House Dinner During Kishida’s State Visit; Kishida To Gift Wajima Lacquerware to U.S. President Biden
-
Precious Literary Manuscript Found in Antique Wooden Box; Written Kamakura-Period Poet Teika in His Own Hand
-
Old Friend Breathes New Life into KyoAni Arson Victim’s Picture Book; Japan’s Veteran Voice Actors, Animators Create Anime Film
-
Manga “My Hero Academia” Surpasses 100 Million Copies in Print
-
Hiroyuki Sanada Pursues Authenticity of Feudal Japan in ‘Shogun’; Pushed for Detailed in Depiction of Characters
JN ACCESS RANKING
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
- JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals