Expanded anime screenings and special film festivals planned

Megabox Hongdae [Provided by Megabox]
Megabox Hongdae [Provided by Megabox]

An animation-specialized theater catering to anime fandom is coming to Hongdae in Seoul.

Megabox announced Wednesday it will renovate its Hongdae location in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul into an "animation-specialized" theater — the first time a multiplex in South Korea has attempted such a concept. The move is designed to capitalize on the sustained box-office performance of animated films.

In keeping with its new identity, the theater will expand screenings of animated films outside mandatory Korean film quota periods and plans to hold regular animation film festivals alongside dedicated spaces for anime fans.

A permanent animation goods shop will also operate on-site, offering merchandise tied to festival titles as well as popular anime products, all in one place.

To mark the renovation, Megabox Hongdae will kick off its first festival with screenings of the "Evangelion" series through the end of this month. The franchise, which began its TV run in 1995, has maintained a devoted following and broad cultural influence for more than 30 years. Six films will screen: "Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth," "The End of Evangelion," "Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone," "Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance," "Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo" and "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time."

From June 22 through July 5, the festival lineup continues with theatrical series from "Detective Conan" and "BanG Dream!" "Detective Conan" is a long-running animated series following a boy detective named Conan who solves cases while concealing his true identity; the manga has been serialized continuously since 1994. "BanG Dream!" is a music-centered anime about high school girls who form a band and grow through live performances.

The six films screening are: "Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween," "Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine," "Detective Conan: Million-Dollar Pentagram," "Detective Conan: The Scarlet Alibi," "BanG Dream! Film Live" and "BanG Dream! Film Live 2nd Stage."

Megabox Hongdae will also hold a "Favorite Character Birthday Cafe Contest," inviting audiences to submit original illustrations of their favorite characters or lobby decoration ideas. Selected concepts will be used to transform the theater lobby into a birthday cafe-style space. Submissions will be accepted through the end of June, and the winning work will be displayed throughout August.

In addition, customers who spend 30,000 won (about $20) or more at the goods shop will receive a "Nyang Sawon" keyring. Visitors who post proof of their visit on social media will be entered into a draw to win goods shop exchange vouchers.

"The Hongdae location has been reborn as a special space where animation fans can fully enjoy themselves in Hongdae — a neighborhood where diverse cultures blend and individual expression thrives," a Megabox official said. "We expect Megabox Hongdae to establish itself as a complex cultural space centered on the anime fandom."


balme@heraldcorp.com