Faculty of Media Studies students planned and held an event to touch Ukrainian culture Special preview of animation

Ms. Natsumi Kokawa talks about the path leading up to the release of a Ukrainian animated film, including her experiences at Waseda University.

Booth displaying Ukrainian specialties and paintings

In order to let people know more about Ukrainian culture, the students of Faculty of Media Studies planned an event and held it on August 27th at the Tokyo Kioicho Campus. High school students and the general public who visited the university at the open campus, inviting Natsumi Kokawa, a graduate of the Ukrainian animated film "Stolen Princess: The Princess of Kyiv and Ruslan", who personally purchased it and managed to screen it in Japan. A large number of people participated in the event.

"Stolen Princess: Princess of Kyiv and Ruslan" is a fantasy love story depicting the main characters overcoming various difficulties to protect their loved ones, and will be the first Ukrainian anime to be released in Japan. Natsumi Kokawa, who graduated from Faculty of Media Studies at our university in 2019 and worked at a film distribution company, quit the company saying, "I want to do something for Ukraine, too." I am working hard to develop the. His thoughts and actions have become a hot topic and are attracting attention ahead of the release on September 22nd.

In addition to the special preview screening of the film, Kogawa also gave a mini lecture to the high school students and Guardian who attended the open campus. From the production of the dubbed version to securing distribution routes and advertising, the fact that he was able to get experts in each field involved in the realization of the screening was a major factor in his success. "It was a big help that I was able to gain practical experience, such as actually making a film, rather than just learning in the classroom, at this university. In the process, I became more proactive and was able to build a foundation for being involved in video," Kogawa said, looking back on his studies at the university and talking passionately about the path he has taken to get to where he is today.

At the exhibition hall organized by the students of the Hoshino Faculty of Media Studies (supervised by Associate Professor Takuya Hoshino), there will be an exhibition of photographs showing before and after the invasion by the Russian army, an exhibition and experience of Ukrainian handicrafts such as misanga and embroidery, and an exhibition of Ukrainian crafts. We sold food and sweets. People who stopped by before and after the preview and on the way back from the open campus wore traditional Ukrainian costumes and took commemorative photos.

Yamato Nakai (3rd year), the head of Hoshino's seminar, said, "Through this project, I was able to not only learn from Mr. Konakawa about the process and management of the process leading up to the screening of a movie, but also get an opportunity to think about Ukraine properly. I hope that we, the students, will have something to share about the problems Ukraine is facing,” he said.

Experience trying on Ukrainian folk costumes

Sale of popular piroshki and cookies

Hoshino Seminar students taking a commemorative photo with Mr. Kokawa (front row, second from left) and Associate Professor Takuya Hoshino (back row, far right)