This week I was finally able to check out the exhibition Makoto Shinkai: From Voices of a Distant Star to Your Name. After refreshing my memory on both those films I was so excited to go see it. The only other Anime exhibit I had ever attended in Seoul had been the Studio Ghibli exhibit and it was very very nice!
The exhibition is taking place in the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho (all of this information will be at the bottom of the post), which is super easy to reach via public transit. If you are entering through the main door it might be a little bit confusing to find the exhibit. Head to the stairs next to the information desk and go up. Then you will see this:
Go inside that building and head to the second floor where you will see the ticket booth!
I though I was being smart for going early…but I forgot it was summer vacation so the hall was very very crowded. There was a large majority of kids but no major issues, just keep in mind that if you want to take pictures it might be hard to get a shot without other people around.
The tickets are 15,000 Won (you can buy with discount online but I just bought it at the venue) and the staff was all very kind and they spoke English if that is something you need!
The exhibition has different kinds of tickets for different dates, so if you have a preference make sure you choose a date that has the ticket you like! This this is the ticket I got:
The exhibit begins with a timeline of Shinkai’s works. Then, they go through his most popular films in chronological order. It starts with Voices of a Distant Star and ends with Your Name, with Your Name being by far the biggest section.
Each section features mainly storyboards, concept art, and background inspiration. These are two pictures I took before I realized you are only allowed photography in specific zones! Don’t do as I did and follow the rules please ~
All the information is both in Korean and English, so it can be understood easily by many! It was very interesting to learn about Shinkai. I didn’t know he was essentially a self-made animator, and that Voices of a Distant Star was a self-made project that caught on and became popular!
It was also wonderful to see how above all, he is an outstanding landscape artist, and the settings of his films inspire viewers just as much as the emotions of his characters.
The exhibition features beautiful music and occasional bell sounds, which gave it a surreal and relaxing feeling. There is a great variety of story-boards, and they even displayed some ads Shinkai has made!
At the end of every section there is a photo-zone. These zones are interactive and look best if you pose in front of them. I was on my own so I could only take a picture of the whole thing!
The best zone was the garden from “The Garden of Words” It has light and sounds to simulate rain, and had I been alone I think I would have definitely felt like I was in a real garden.
At the very end, there is a compilation video of all of his works, which I won’t lie, made me tear up. But then again, Shinkai’s works appeal to hopeless romantics like me!
Once you exit the exhibition area there is a fun “draw it yourself” section where you can trace any picture you choose! I chose Okudera because she reminds me of myself, but I really wanted to get Mitsuha too! I didn’t put much effort into it, but I saw some other’s and people were really going all out drawing!
Finally, there is a souvenir shop with lots of items that are reasonably priced. It is mostly items from Your Name that can be found in other shops, so don’t worry if you are not able to attend this specific exhibit!
Overall, this was a lovely experience worth the money. I am super excited to watch more from this director, and I hope you guys will go and experience the exhibition for yourselves!
EVENT INFO:
Dates: 2018.07.13 ~ 2018.09.26 but not open on 7/30(Monday), 8/27(Monday), 9/24(Monday)
Time: 11:00am – 8:00 pm (but entry to the hall closes at 7:00pm)
Cost: 15,000 Won
Place: Seoul Arts Center
