Its probably not too much of a stretch to describe Japan’s railway tracks as the life-lines of its major cities, especially Tokyo – everyday millions of passengers are transported by trains that run along these tracks, spread over the city not unlike giant blood vessels that instead of Hemoglobin, carry human inhabitants that sustain the hulking metropolis. Train stations ( and therefore railway tracks ) are so ubiquitous and form such an integral part of Tokyo’s unique urban landscape its little wonder they’ve come serve as the backdrop of many an anime film.
(above) Poster design for Mamoru Hosoda’s award winning anime “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”, depicted with the film’s protagonist Makoto standing at a railway crossing – an important location in the film where a major plot element occurs. The background art and design of this poster is actually based on a real railway crossing in West Tokyo, ( Nakai station on the Seibu Shinjuku line) very close to where I live. ( more pictures below )
(above) Some background plates from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Background Artbook. (review coming soon). Besides the railway crossing, the area around it is also based on actual shopping malls and streets in Nakai – the list of locations can be found in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Notebook.
(above) Range Murata, concept designer of “Last Exile” and “Blue Submarine” shares his affinity for railway crossings in his illustrations. Check out some of his gorgeous artwork in this previous post.
And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Shinkai Makoto – director of “5 Centimeters”, and background art extraordinare.
The director’s affection for railway tracks and train station platforms continue in his films Garden Of Words (above ) and the smash hit Your Name. ( below )
Below are some pictures of the railway crossing near my house in Tanashi, West Tokyo on the Seibu Shinjuku line, taken on a rainy, sleepy afternoon. The station/railway crossing featured in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is located on this same line.
(above) Motion censors used to detect human traffic – the boom barriers on either side of the crossing will only shut if no motion is detected. (below) Mechanism that controls the boom barrier.
(above) Commuters waiting to cross as a train passes by. (below) The emergency stop button.
So the next time you visit Tokyo and come across one of these railway crossings, take a moment, relax, and enjoy the sights – I also recommend a visit to the crossings at Daikayama Station, or the one in Shimokitazawa.
Any railway crossings in your country ? What are they like ?
4
The Art of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Part I
Swallow Nest, Sayama-shi Train Station, Saitama.
Your Name – New Film By Shinkai Makoto
Weathering With You Background Art Book Review
Miracle Love – CITYPOP MV
June 26th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Cool! These photos make great reference material…
I kind of wonder if anyone will make a movie with the MRT as a subtheme in films…
June 26th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Greetings from Musashisakai. I did not know you lived so close by, but I have been following your blog because of your wonderful overviews of artbooks. You have made it easier for someone on a budget to decide what artbook is worth purchasing, so I really appreciate that you post lots of pictures and comments regarding each book.
As for railway crossings, well, I used to live in Kokubunji close to where Production I.G. is. The Seibu Line that went from Kokubunji Station was quaint and definitely had a “local” flavor. There’s such a big difference from the small “platform” like stations along that line and when you get to the insane hustle & bustle of the Chuo Line at Kokubunji. Not a great way to start the mornings…
June 26th, 2009 at 10:20 am
What is the first picture from? I’ve also noticed the frequent use of railroad tracks in Anime. Sadly, we don’t have that many railroad crossings in NY. As most people know, almost all of the tracks are underground (hence, subway). But there are some in NJ!
June 26th, 2009 at 11:08 am
The sleepy town crossings are great. Just love the atmosphere, especially in fading light, like your last pic.
@tragic comedy:
>>I kind of wonder if anyone will make a movie with the MRT as a subtheme in films…
Actually, there’s an SMRT sponsored mini drama showing on the info screens. Just happen to catch the trailer.
June 26th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
There’s one in Spirited Away and Fullmetal Alchemist as well.
June 26th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
The great atmosphere and feeling of Japanese environment is very spectacular, a mixed emotion of peacefulness and technological advancements meet in one place… just a simple railway station is one good example
June 27th, 2009 at 12:44 am
All that postals of railway crossings, train stations, black silhouettes of buildings at dusk, wires, birds, moments when you can only hear the noise of the train aproaching, or the sounds of the city are classic in anime, for me, living so far, is melancholic when you can actually be there and see all those places. I remembered watched “5 centimeters” only days after i returned from Tokio in 2008 and i was amazed of the similitud in places, JR entrance, railways, streets, lamps, cars, cell phones… places where only days ago i was walking.
Here, of course are railways, some very pretty actually, but is not a commercial system as in tokio, more used to cargo transport and stuff like that, and the subway is very diferent, is full of noise, and people selling stuff.
@Tokyoite:
–You have made it easier for someone on a budget to decide what artbook is worth purchasing, so I really appreciate that you post lots of pictures and comments regarding each book.–
Agree 🙂
June 27th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Wow! Rails look the same in Japan and NY! I take the LIRR to work everyday, and some of the pictures look quite similar. We don’t have motion censors or buttons to press… We have blinking red lights and black/white barriers.
Sometimes, we have the NYPD. They stop their car at the crossing from time to time. They don’t really direct traffic… they are there to intimidate. I guess that’s a form of traffic control. 🙂
June 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
tragic comedy – Wonder if that MRT mini drama that MrMayat mentioned is any good…haha.
Tokyoite – Hello there, thanks for the kind words ! :] Musashi-Sakai looks like a great place to stay. I saw Miyazaki-san drive by in his vintage car in Musashi-Sakai a couple of years ago.
The Seibu line is probably not as crowded as the Chuo line, but bad enough – the morning train rides are an absolute nightware.
Otto – Sorry for failing to mention that ! The first picture is a frame from Makoto Shinkai’s “The place promised in our early days”.
MrMayat – I like the feel very much myself. :] Some day I really ought to head down to ShimoKitazawa or Daikanyama in the early evening for some pictures.
Parka – Yes ! That sequence in Spirited Away is one of my favourite Miyazaki moments, coupled with moving Hisashi Joe music.
JD Salinger – You’re spot on ! Thanks for the great description !
rulascalaca – “and the subway is very diferent, is full of noise, and people selling stuff.” Wow that’s sometime we never get to see here, but it sounds exciting ! :]
Su – Hey, I thought you drive ?
July 1st, 2009 at 1:54 am
I drive, but not to work. 🙂