The Japan Foundation of Manila together with the Japan Embassy in the Philippines held their annual EIGASAI (Japanese Film) in the Philippines. This year marks their 21st Eigasai in the country from Jul. 4 to Aug. 26, everyone can enjoy because it’s FREE. Screenings nationwide, Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, Naga, and Davao.
This year’s edition offers diverse genres of Japanese films and I am personally excited to watch Chihayafuru, an anime adaptation of the manga with the same title, written and illustrated by Yuki Suetsugu and serialized in the magazine Be Love. This manga won the second Manga Taishou award, and the 35th Kodansha Manga Award in the shoujo category. Chihayafuru become so known that it boosted interest in competitive “Karuta”, a Japanese card game. The manga has sold over 4.5 million copies and has been praised for combining the elements of sports and literature. Because of its popularity in manga world a live-action film adaptation titled Chihayafuru: Kami no Ku was released on March 19, 2016, second film released on April 29, 2016. The third installment of this film has been released on March 17th, 2018.
Not only the Chihayafuru: Kami No Ku film I was personally excited about, but also the fact the writer and director behind this famous film was also present at the first opening of Eigasai in Manila. I was extremely thrilled for the opportunity to meet the man of the hour and also having the chance to take a selfie with Japan's famous and award-winning Director Norihiro Koizumi. He also signed my Egasai pamphlet. Whatta! Happy day for me!
Just in case you wonder here is Chihayafuru: Kami No Ku Plot:
Chihaya Ayase is a girl who has spent most of her life simply supporting her sister in her model career. That changes when she meets a boy named Arata Wataya a talented karuta player who recognizes Chihaya's potential to become a great player. As Chihaya takes on a new dream of becoming Japan's best karuta player, she is soon separated from her karuta playing friends as they grow up. Now in high school, Chihaya still continues to play karuta in the hope that she will one day meet her friends again.
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