July 16, 2019 (REVISED July 22, 2019) Library of Congress “Anime for All” Returns

The exclusive screening of the newly released GKIDS animated film “Okko’s Inn” will highlight the Library of Congress’ “Anime for All” series, which is being presented in conjunction with Otakon, Washington, D.C.’s annual convention celebrating Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc.) and its fandom.

“Anime for All,” a celebration of East Asian culture, mythology, pop culture and inspiration, will be held Thursday, July 25 through Friday, July 26, in the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C. The film screening — along with a collection display of rare Japanese graphic art, a panel discussion on the emergence of Japanese hip-hop and a live Studio Ghibli performance — will showcase the evolution of Japanese storytelling traditions that have been transformed into modern forms of expressions and overall pop-culture fandom.

The events are free and open to the public. Tickets are available for some of the “Anime for All” activities, but are not required. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit this event-ticketing site for more information and to secure your ticket. Entry is not guaranteed.

Media wishing to cover the event must RSVP no later than Tuesday, July 23. Additional details about coverage opportunities will follow.

Fans of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture have much to explore in the Library’s collections. The Prints and Photographs Division contains over 2,500 Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo Period through the 21st century. The Asian Division’s collection is the largest repository of Japanese-language materials outside of Japan, totaling 1.2 million monograph volumes with a rare book collection exceeding 5,900 items dating as far back as the 8th century. The Serials and Government Publications Division houses over 140,000 comic books, including treasures such as the rare early English-language editions of “Astro Boy,” “Macross” and “Ultraman.”

The series will conclude on Saturday, July 27 at 10 a.m. in the Washington Convention Center with a panel discussion featuring Library of Congress experts on various ways Otakon audiences can connect with the Library of Congress and its resources. An Otakon 2019 ticket is required for attendance. For more information on Otakon, visit this site.

The excitement can be followed on Twitter at @Events_LOC.

The programming includes:

Thursday, July 25 and Friday, July 26
Thursday, July 25, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, July 26, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Whittall Pavilion, ground floor “Anime for All” Display
This display will trace the history of Japanese graphic arts, storytelling and warriors into the modern day. Visitors will see examples of handwritten scrolls from the early 19th century that feature illustrations and descriptions of swords crafted by 13th-15th century masters like Awataguchi Yoshimitsu, as well as multiple volumes of “The Legend of Gallant Jiraiya,” an epic mid-19th century tale that follows the adventures of a ninja with magic powers. These beautifully illustrated books have influenced numerous later works, including the manga/anime series Naruto.

Visitors will also see woodblock prints depicting the fierceness and power of samurai, including a print of two figures grappling on the roof of Hōryūkaku Tower.  Also on display are comic books inspired by historic Japanese figures and stories, including Usagi Yojimbo and Samurai Penguin, woodblock prints of an Edo-period depiction of the Tanabata festival, and more.

Thursday, July 25, 2 p.m.
Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor
Film Screening
“Okko’s Inn,” a film by anime studio Madhouse and director Kitaro Kosaka, presented by GKIDS. This film is rated PG. Visit this event-ticketing site for more information.

5:30 p.m. — 6:30 p.m., Coolidge Auditorium, ground floor
Samurai, Hip-Hop, and History: A Samurai Champloo panel
Join EyeQ, a Florida-based emcee, entrepreneur and performer, as he moderates a conversation with artists Shing02 and Substantial about the music of Samurai Champloo and the intersection of music, culture and history in Japan. Free and open to the public. Tickets are available, but are not required. Visit this event-ticketing site for more information.

7 p.m., North Lawn
BYTES & BEATS: Shing02 and Substantial, Marcus D and EyeQ
Samurai Champloo 15th anniversary event
Shing02, Substantial, Marcus D and EyeQ headline a unique concert celebrating the best of African-American and Japanese, eastern and western cultures combined. The lineup pairs some of the most exciting and relevant influencers in the anime-inspired hip-hop and lo-fi hip-hop universe with emcees who worked directly with groundbreaking composer/producer Nujabes on the hit television show “Samurai Champloo.”

Tickets for this performance are available via Eventbrite, but are not required, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to secure tickets, visit this event-ticketing site. Entry is not guaranteed.

Presented as part of the Library’s Summer Concerts on the Lawn series.

Friday, July 26
1 p.m. – 2 p.m., LJ 119, First floor Jefferson Building
Kihara Hirokatsu and Diana Garnett

In this program for children and their families, Studio Ghibli writer, producer and director Kihara Hirokatsu will discuss his experience in Japanese anime production and the inspirations for Totoro and other animated films. Together with singer and voice actress Diana Garnett, Hirokatsu will share the joys of creating an animated film. Free and open to the public. Tickets are available, but are not required. Visit this event-ticketing site for more information.

“Anime for All” is free programming presented by the Library of Congress. Those interested in supporting free programs at the Library can contact devofc@loc.gov.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

Cosplay and Costume Weapons Guidelines 
The following guidelines of the U.S. Capitol Police will apply: 

• Weapons and replicas of weapons are generally prohibited on Capitol Grounds. Participants should not attempt to enter any building on Capitol Grounds other than the specific event locations while in possession of a fake or "costume weapons."
• Costume Weapons will be inspected by the U.S. Capitol Police prior to entry into any of the event locations.
• For operational and security reasons, guests may not enter any of the event locations or pass through screening while wearing masks or with their faces covered in any way that would obscure identification.
• Wearing masks on Capitol grounds is permitted at the discretion of the United States Capitol Police. If directed, participants must immediately remove costume masks.