BFI Southbank says they have weekend event for anime films Anime Now in June, and Mr Shinkai joins on-stage interview. They plan screening of 5 Centimeters per Second and interview on June 20 (Fri) 18:20. Visit their site to get more details and to book tickets (on sale from May 5).
They also schedules screening of The Place Promised in Our Early Days on June 21 (Sat). It does not have interview.

BFI Official Website (English):
http://www.bfi.org.uk/
BFI Southbank's page for Anime Now:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/film_programme/june_seasons
BFI Ticket Booking by Telephone:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/about/contact.html

Amazon.co.jp has listed Mr Shinkai's art collection Sora no Kioku.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/4063647145/ref=dp_change_lang?ie=UTF8&language=en%5FJP

I translated Mr Shinkai's recent history of March 3.

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/colum.html

--------------------------------------

Ah, it has already been March. Now I'm in London, and I'm spending all bandwidth of my brain to start new life at here everyday. Sorry for my slow reporting, but this time is story in Syria in my Middle East travel.

I visited Damascus, the capital of Syrian Arab Republic, after Qatar. They say Damascus is the second oldest city in the world. The first picture is a view from the hotel I stayed; Mt.Kassioun shining in the morning sun. (http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria1_L.jpg) Mt Kassioun is the place Cain killed Abel in the Old Testament. The mountain was stage of the first murder in the world. Here is such a place, but it has become a stage of daily life. I did workshop for about 10 persons. Some of the students of the workshop have already been working as professional artists. It was exciting days because of their eagerness and skill everyday like in Jordan.

This is Umayyad Mosque, the oldest mosque in existence. Even the pagans like us can enter the mosque without problems. The view in this picture is like a good example of law of perspective, isn't it?
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria2_L.jpg

This is Souk Hamidieh, the market in the Old City (Old Damascus). It was a beautiful vibrant town, the mixing of ancient remains and modern buildings. There are countless small holes like stars on the black roof. However, all of those are bullet holes.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria3_L.jpg

In the Old City, there are a lot of houses with cute courtyard like this picture
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria4_L.jpg

In a holiday, I visited Site of Palmyra. As you know, it's the World Heritage Site. The 2000 years old pillars are scattered randomly like "It is nothing special." It seems that the value of the remains in here is totally different from Japan. I found children playing soccer near by the remain. Do you imagine how they feel when seeing such old pillars in the daily life?
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria5_L.jpg

This picture is interior of a Bedouin's cafe, which exists in the middle of desert, on the way to Palmyra. This stove is beautiful. In the desert around here, it has snow in the winter.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria6_L.jpg

This is the students of the workshop. My birthday was during the workshop, so they congratulate me by cake and presents. It was the first time I heard "Happy Birthday to You" song in Arabic. I was nearly weep for joy.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/syria7_L.jpg

In the three countries I visited this time, I felt Syria was the most religiously-liberal. There were clear differences between the countries in the politics, economy and foods. Anyway, all these countries are totally different from Japan. I stayed for only one month in total in the three countries, but it was very long and precious time for me. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the organizers.

Now I'm in London. My life at here is the most "hard" days in this travel. *grin* I'm realizing how I have been emotionally supported by working because now I'm away from work for the first time in these years. I'll update my site when I get settled.

-Makoto Shinkai

I translated Mr Shinkai's recent history in February 14.

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/colum.html

--------------------------------------

Now I'm in London. But I'll report about my travel in the Middle East first. This time is story in Qatar.

Doha, the capital of Qatar, was the next visiting place after Jordan. From what I heard, Doha was well-known in Japan by "Agony of Doha" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agony_of_Doha), I don't know well about it though. We call all of this area by one idiom "the Middle East." However, every countries have a big difference; having or not having natural resources. Jordan is nonoil producing country, but Qatar has abundant oil and natural gas. It makes Qatar a very rich country even though their territory and population are small. In Doha, they are constructing a lot of strange-shaped skyscrapers all together.
I didn't do workshop at here, but I did demonstrations of making.

This is the lecture (demonstrations) in University of Qatar.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar2_L.jpg
Their university takes single-gender class system, so I did the lecture separately for men and women. The most of male Qatari students were in pure white clothes for Muslim (and female students were in pure black). They were polite and earnest people.

I don't know why, but they had a black cat in restaurant in University of Qatar.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar3_L.jpg
He was friendly to me, so cute cat. ....I wonder my Sayuri is fine.

This is a lecture in Carnegie Mellon University.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar4_L.jpg
A group of some extension campus of major universities is placed in an area in the town because the government of Qatar attracts American universities to Doha. This university is coeducational school. Earnest female students attracted my attention.

This is a meal at a local restaurant where our driver kindly guided us.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar5_L.jpg
A cooked curry-like flavored fish was in fried rice. It was reasonable price and very delicious.

This is at a Lebanese restaurant.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar6_L.jpg
The companies are teacher of Carnegie Mellon University, Mr S of CoMix Wave Films and Indian woman helped me as an interpreter. She is a lot of fun, and I made friends with her. She said she will introduce her niece living in London to me.

I went to the desert in holiday.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar7_L.jpg
The territory of this country is almost same with Akita Prefecture in Japan, so we can go to the vast desert only 40 minutes by car from the capital. From the desert, we could see Saudi Arabia in the other side of the sea. As you know, Saudi Arabia, in which Mecca exists, is more strict Islamic country than Qatar.

Although Qatar is categorized into Arab countries, but it has various differences from Jordan (and Siria). Everywhere is under construction everytime day and night.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/qatar1_L.jpg
Qatar is a young country now building up form of the cities. If I visit here 5 years later, I may be able to see totally different landscapes.

Minor released new video clip directed by Mr Shinkai for PC game "ef -the latter tale." Music is composed by Mr Tenmon. The game will be released on May 24, 2008.

Minori's Official Youtube Account:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm8ec5U2bvU

Mr Shinkai says on his site: "I draw its storyboard in Japan, directed in the Middle East, and composed the completed file in London."

You can download high-resolution WMV files (4:3 and 16:9) from Gamers and Getchu-Ya. (Note: The sites have contents for age 18 or over.)

Gamers website (Japanese):
http://shop.broccoli.co.jp/maker/ef-the_latter_tale/
Getchu-Ya website (Japanese):
http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=369325

Source (Japanese):
http://www.minori.ph/lineup/ef/download.html

Mr Shinkai says his internet access has been recovered from April 7. He could get all unread e-mails in his mail box on the server.

This is very late update but I translated Mr Shinkai's recent history of February 1. Sorry for inconvenience.

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/colum.html

--------------------------------------

Now I'm in Doha, the capital of Qatar. I receive e-mails asking me to report about what I'm doing in Middle East. So , at first, I report about Jordan. Embassy of Japan in Jordan kindly to report my days at here. (http://www.jordan.emb-japan.go.jp/eng_page/culture/anime08/en_anime_08jan_e.htm) Please refer their site if you'd like to know much details.

I visited the Dead Sea at holiday.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/jordan1_L.jpg
It is 50 minutes by car from Amman. Amman is 800 meters above sea level, but the Dead Sea is 400 meters under from sea level. It means we went down 1400 meters of difference in height. Even in mid winter, the Dead Sea is warm place because of the height. As you know, Jodan accepts a large number of Palestinian refugees. I met an Palestinian man who is same age as me. He talked about his past joyfully: "My childhood in a refugee camp was funny." It was so impressive for me.

This is Petra, famous by being listed in World Heritage.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/jordan2_L.jpg
It is very "tourist trip", but the shrines which can be seen when we get through red valley was absolutely beautiful. I rode a camel and a donkey. Donkey was so cute! I want to get a donkey, if my housing conditions allowed it.

This cat is a pet of a small shop in front of "the Treasury" Al Khazneh at the entrance of Petra.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/jordan3_L.jpg
They say the prophet Muhammad had loved cats, so cats are well-loved in Islamic countries. ....I wonder my Sayuri is fine.

Foods taste wonderful.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/jordan4_L.jpg
They spread paste of various kinds of vegetables and beans on the bread for appetizers. The vegetables taste clearer and stronger than in Japan. I was always looking forward to take meals.

This is Hejaz railway which connects A‚�man and Aqaba (south-end port town in Jordan).
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/jordan5_L.jpg
They said "Mr Shinkai, you love rails, right?", so we visited there. I was looking at the railroad, fancying a kid might hide between cargos to go abroad.

This is the students of my workshop.
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/jordan6_L.jpg
Every students were earnest, so I learned much more things from them rather than I taught through the exciting days. In the end of the workshop, every students completed single-cut animation. To talk with Muslim who has widely differing cultures from us was the biggest pleasure in this visiting. I visited a children's house and talked with little children. At there, I was sorta overwhelmed by a flood of emotions when I found many people read Japanese manga and watch Japanese anime with eagerness. I saw girls in hejab were drawing dozens of Japanese style "kawaii (cute)" arts on paper and Flash. When I see such situations, I'm really proud of Japanese contents culture I can belong to as one of the members of creators.

My interpreter in Jordan was a trilingual university student (!), and he was Muslim. He kindly taught me English while he was not doing his job (interpretation). In leisure time, it was funny to tease the pious Muslim boy in jest by foreigner-tic question: "Is there a girl you like?" (laugh) The young man had a subtle charm which came from his two faces: sincere expression when he recite Qur'an, and joyful expression when he croon a theme song of one anime.

-Makoto Shinkai

Mr Shinkai says his internet environment in UK is not good. I translated his statement below.

-----------------------------

Now, I can't access internet from my house in London. So, I can't reply to e-mails. If you have some urgencies, please contact to CoMix Wave Films (info@cwfilms.jp). I can't figure out what causes this trouble. Sometimes I can get access every few days, but very short time like fine sky in UK. I kinda feel I have no choice. I'll update my site when it is recovered.

-Makoto Shinkai

Manga magazine Afternoon May issue says Kodansha will release the book of paintings "Sora no Kioku (Memories of the Sky)" on April 25th.

According to the ad page, the book includes 427 background arts taken from Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters per Second, and TVCF for a newspaper company Shinano Mainichi Shimbun.

Its list price is 2800 JPY.

Scan of the ad page:
http://daike.hp.infoseek.co.jp/newsphoto/sora_no_kioku_afternoon.jpg

Sofmap.com says Blu-ray and HD-DVD of Byousoku 5cm and The Place Promised in Our Early Days will be released on April 18. The list price of the both is 5500JPY.

Blu-ray:
http://www.sofmap.com/product_detail/exec/_/sku=10868066/-/gid=DD13020000
http://www.sofmap.com/product_detail/exec/_/sku=10868064/-/gid=DD13020000

HD-DVD
http://www.sofmap.com/product_detail/exec/_/sku=10868065/-/gid=DD14020000
http://www.sofmap.com/product_detail/exec/_/sku=10868063/-/gid=DD14020000

Oh, man...I don't have Blu-ray/HD-DVD players....

Byousoku 5cm wins the Lancia Platinum Grand Prize at Future Film Festival in Italy.

Future Film Festival Website (English):
http://www.futurefilmfestival.org/intl/index.php

Information on ANN (English):
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com.au/news/2008-01-23/5cm-per-second-wins-at-italys-future-film-festival

(Thanks for your info, Sunny!)

Mr Shinkai updated his recent history on his website. I translated that roughly below.

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/colum.html

--------------------------------------

(January 14)

I'm still in Japan, but I'll leave here soon.

After I came back Tokyo leaving my cat Sayuri to parents' home, I have been preparing to go overseas. Sayuri's absence makes me weird at all. I mistake a small noise for Sayuri's, and also mistake a blanket touching my face for Sayuri when I wake up in the morning. Unconsciously, I feel anxiety when I open the door of my house because Sayuri does not run out.

However, Sayuri is adapting herself to the new surroundings better than I. According to my parents were saying, she is doing fine now. I took the below picture before I departed from parents' home. It is about 10 days after she arrived at there. She has become to lie tummy up and playful.

Well, I'm going now. I'll be able to update this site from Jordan in the next time. I hope you everyone kindly to keep supporting me continuously in this year too!

-Makoto Shinkai

--------------------------------------

(January 20)

I'm doing workshop to make digital animation in Amman, the capital of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. As you know, Embassy of Japan in Jordan website reports about contents of the workshop.

http://www.jordan.emb-japan.go.jp/eng_page/culture/anime08/jp_anime_08jan.jpnz.htm

I have not done much sightseeing yet (but I visited the Dead Sea!), but I often catch my breath when I am seeing beautiful landscape of the town.

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/080120_jordan_L.jpg

Many stone-built houses, glittering under brilliant sunlight, cover the surface of mountains. Prices are reasonable, foods are delicious, and, above all things, people are very kind. I'm having enjoyable time, even I have come here for work.

-Makoto Shinkai

Japan Foundation has announced the schedule of workshops by Mr Shinkai in Jordan, Qatar, and Syria. According to the site says, Mr Noritaka Kawaguchi (CEO of CoMix Wave) and Mr Kazuki Sunami (Producer/Exective Officer of CoMix Wave) go with him to do lecture about anime business.

The students of the workshop go to the town to take images for material, make a short video-storyboard from them.

Japan Foundation Website (Japanese):
http://www.jpf.go.jp/j/culture_j/news/0712/12-03.html


----Workshop Scheduke----

Jordan (Amman)
Date: Janurary 16-28, 2008
Organizer: Royal Film Commission / Japan Foundation

Qatar (Doha)
Date: Janurary 28 - February 4, 2008
Organizer: University of Qatar / Carnegie Mellon University / Japan Foundation

Syria (Damascus)
Date: February 4-11, 2008
Organizer: Executive committee of "Damascus - Arab Capital of Culture 2008" / Japan Foundation

Mr Laz Long, a fan of Mr Shinkai's, has opened English forum for Mr Shinkai's works. I hope the site would become a nice place for English speaking fans to exchange information and reviews about his works.

cherryblossomsfalling.myfastforum.org (English):
http://cherryblossomsfalling.myfastforum.org/

Mr Laz Long's Website (English):
http://www.xerpi.com/10897

...And, I added his forum to my link page.

http://daike.hp.infoseek.co.jp/07_links/links.html

Embassy of Japan in Jordan uploaded pictures of opening event of workshop by Mr Shinkai.

Embassy of Japan in Jordan Website (English):
http://www.jordan.emb-japan.go.jp/eng_page/culture/anime08/en_anime_08jan_f.htm#RFC

It is interesting that he is trying turban. :)

Embassy of Japan in Jordan has announced about the workshop, activity, screening and talks by Mr Shinkai in Amman. According to the announcement, Mr Shinkai will stay in Jordan for two weeks, and the workshop will be a week. The screening will be held in January 26 and 27.


Source: Embassy of Japan in Jordan (English)
http://www.jordan.emb-japan.go.jp/anime08.htm

Mr Shinkai updated his recent history on his website. I translated that roughly below.

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/colum.html

-------------------

I'm at my parents' home after a long interval. It is to entrust them with my cat Sayuri before I go to overseas from the new year.

Sayuri had kept silence in a bag while on Odakyu Line, Yamanote Line and Shinkansen to go there. So I had thought she had kept composure. But, the fact was she couldn't say anything by fear. After we arrived at my parents' house in Nagano, she was clinging to the bag, so, finally I hauled her out from the bag. Then, she crept into kotatsu and didn't come out. A few days has passed after that, her appetite has been backing. Sometimes she comes out from kotatsu and explores the house little by little. However, her expression shows she does not understand why in the world she was brought to such place. Sayuri has never been surprised by noises of trains or cars, because she was born and raised in Shinjuku. But, at here, she is scared by song of birds and footsteps of children. Although she was so friendly for staffs in my studio, when she find my parents, niece and nephew, she retreats into kotatsu as if she has encountered enemy. When I saw such behavior of her, I can't stop thinking "Why should I go overseas leaving her?" dissembling embarrassment by smiling.

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/sayuri071228.jpg

But having said that, the both storehouse full of 30-year-old antiques and relationship with human children will be amusement for Sayuri when she will get used to them. I hope she fits in the life in this place; as much as she can't remember me when I have come back from overseas.

Well, 2007 will soon be over. In this year, a lot of people assisted me related with Byousoku 5cm. Thank you very much for all people who cooperated in making, marketing and watching Byousoku-. Have happy new year, everyone!

-Makoto Shinkai

Mr Shinkai updated his recent history on his website. I translated that roughly below. (Sorry for my very late update....)

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/colum.html

-------------------

I have completed the video clip for NHK's Ani-Kuri 15 (http://www.nhk.or.jp/ani-kuri/). They say we must not show screenshots and contents yet, but I say the video clip has a little comical taste. And making it was funny! Its not dubbed yet, and I'm looking forward to do it too. I'll upload screenshots when NHK allows it.

"Shousetsu (novel): Byousoku 5 Centimeters" has been released from last month. Fortunately, its is in good demand. They have gone into second printing after a week from the release. Personally, even in the first printing, I had thought "Are you OK you print it that much?" So I'm very happy to know this result. Thank you for all buyers. If you have not been able to find it at bookstores, you would find it easily after the second printing.

As I announced on the top page, I go to Jordan, Qatar, and Syria in Middle East from January 2008 for about a month. I'll do workshop of digital animation at there. I have received offers through embassies from some organizations including Royal Film Commission of Jordan. I received the offer a few months ago, and I was considering move to abroad in 2008 at that time. So, the offer was perfect timing. I'm very interested in what type of people are making animations based on what kind of idea at there. I have ordered Mac Book Pro to bring for the workshop but.... it has not delivered yet. *laugh*

After the workshop, I'll fly from Damascus to Heathrow, and will live in London for a while. I made an arrangement for small dormitory of an English-language school. I'm still undecided when I come back to Japan, but I'll back within a year because of visa problem. I'll continue some works through internet if I couldn't finish in Japan till the year-end. I of course can receive e-mails at there, and will update this site as heretofore.

To tell the truth, I had been considering "I'll go overseas after I have finished this work" while I was making Byousoku 5cm. Being behind for a half year from the plan, I have set the schedule now. So I have announced about it at here.

I get many e-mails asking with concern about how I will treat my cat Sayuri. After all kinds of careful thinking, I have come to the decision to leave her to my parents hands in Nagano. It would be the best way. The picture is Sayuri interfering my work. Whether she realizes our separation or not, she behaves much in babyish ways to me.

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/images/sayuri071123.jpg

-Makoto Shinkai

Mr Shinkai has announced information about his new video clip "Neko no Shuukai" (Gathering of Cats).

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/works/NHK_anicri/index.html

It is 1 minute length short anime which will be broadcast by NHK. It is a part of Ani-Kuri 15 Third Season. Third Season starts from December 10, but details of the schedule is not announced yet.

http://www.nhk.or.jp/ani-kuri/

Character art is by Mr Nishimra, same with Byousoku 5cm.
Music is by Mr Tenmon.

Mr Shinkai has updated his website yesterday.

As already announced, Mr Shinkai will visit Middle East. Today he has announced more details about his visiting.

He will visit Amman in Jordan, Doha in Qatar, and Damascus in Syria. He will do workshops of making digital animation for local creators. The workshops are planned in January and February. The organizer, place, and how to register the workshop, are not announced yet.

Source (Japanese):
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/~ccs50140/

After that, he goes to London in UK to stay there for a while. He will live in a dormitory of language school.