Yanagawa Filming Location Tour Report

[Erroneous]

Original post by Asian Beat here http://asianbeat.com/ja/feature/issue_anime/_hack/report.html

After the "Special Resident Card Issuance and Award Ceremony for the 3 Characters" held in Yanagawa on January 14th , a tour of Yanagawa filming locations was held with director Matsuyama. The Asian Beat Editorial Department also participated in the tour along with the fans. We will report on the actual locations that were set while comparing them with the scene photos from the movie.

Let's start Yanagawa Kudari!

Board the ship with Director Matsuyama and let's set off! Mr. Seki, the boatman who was in charge of the trip down the river, was apparently guided by the director when he visited for location scouting in the past. Most of the ".hack" fans who were on tour that day were from the Kanto region. It seemed strange that he and Director Matsuyama were good friends, so I asked him why, and he told me that he had often participated in ``.hack'' events, and that they had deepened their relationship through those events.

In winter, a kotatsu is installed on the ship.

The boatman, Mr. Seki, was very kind.

Movie settings viewed from Yanagawa Kudari

River rafting progresses under the supervision of the director. The first thing that caught my eye was this black and white grid wall.

He said that the appeal of Yanagawa is that these old-fashioned designs remain.

This is the location that served as the model for this scene where Sora Arishiro and Sho Tanaka converse.

The bench model added in the scene above (unfortunately it is covered by a tree). This could also be seen from the river rafting course.

A duck that also appears in the movie. Apparently these children come from Siberia every year.

A quick glance at the director at the bridge where Sora and David meet.

The last one is here! This is a model of the place that is also used as a poster visual. Unfortunately, there are no benches here, but I'm sure Mayor Yanagawa will build one if the movie becomes a hit. The director also asked the mayor directly at a press conference. 

[Erroneous]

Original post by Asian Beat here http://asianbeat.com/ja/feature/issue_anime/_hack/report-2.html

Other filming locations in Fukuoka
There are many more filming locations than those introduced on the previous page.

 
The junior high school that the three of them attended
 

 
Eel restaurant visited by characters

In addition to Yanagawa, there are many sights that will make you go "ah!", such as Nishitetsu trains and Best Electric appliances, which are familiar to Fukuoka residents. People in Fukuoka Prefecture enjoy watching movies while looking for such places.

Fans talk about the charm of “.hack”

During the Yanagawa Kudari tour, I felt an extraordinary love for ".hack" as I watched the participants holding up the movie posters they had prepared and promoting them to passing tourists. Director Matsuyama is called ``Piroshi Piroshi'' by such fans, and I realize that not only his works but the director himself are loved. We asked him why he loves ``.hack'' and the director, and his impressions of Yanagawa.

Q1. What is the appeal of the “.hack” series?
●The most important thing is the duality between the internet and the real world. I personally have started playing with friends I've made through online games in real life, so I can relate to this aspect of the game in particular. I think the scenarios and productions that give an impression of "connection" are attractive, such as troubles in the game having an impact on the real world, and conversely, actions in the real world affecting actions in the game.

●The hack series is a deep story that intertwines reality and the world of games. In the network game ``The World'', the human patterns woven by the emotionally rich characters are on such a scale that it feels like a complete world. This is a work that makes me feel that connections between people are important.

Q2. What is your impression of director Hiroshi Matsuyama?
●A man who has grown into an adult with the heart of a young boy, or rather, a passionate soul. I like what I like! And more than anything, I want to make something interesting! A person who has a passionate feeling.

●The charisma of a game company that creates high-level works. I think he is a person who is needed not only for the future of the game industry but also for the development of Japanese culture. He has a child's heart, knows the industry well, and is still close to the users and approachable.

Q3. Please tell us your impression of Yanagawa.
●I thought that the Tachibana mansion, which has been passed down for 400 years, and the relaxing river cruise down the moat are things that should not be lost.

●A place where the good old townscape remains. It felt like time was passing slowly and I felt very calm. I would like to see the rows of willow trees from spring to autumn.

Q4. What did you think of the movie version of “Beyond the World?”
●At a talk event held in December, the director passionately said, ``I made it for you!!!'' The movie I was looking forward to was exactly ``.hack.'' The setting is Yanagawa, which gives a sense of continuity from reality. A gap is created by drastically changing the CG expressions in the game and the real world. I think it was a very good work, with settings, gimmicks, and events based on previous works.

●While this content can be enjoyed even by those who don't know the previous series, it is even more enjoyable for those who know the series. I couldn't hide my surprise at the high degree of perfection of the 3D CG movie, and the crisp stereoscopic viewing. The quality is comparable to Hollywood blockbusters.