About
What is the 2.5-Dimensional Musical?
The term is used to describe theatrical presentations based on Japanese manga, popular animation and video games.
The meaning implies such theatrical shows exist somewhere between 2D the realm of manga, animation and video games, and 3D the realm of the theater. The term not only refers to musicals, but also to straight plays, comedies and dramas.
Interview
Talking about 2.5D musicals
Makoto Matsuda , a Mastermind of 2.5-Dimensional Musicals, Shares His Thoughts on the City of Tokyo, the Very Best Location to Enjoy Content
Stage productions based on original Japanese works of manga, anime, and video games—2.5-Dimensional musicals—continue to draw an increasing amount of attention as a new genre of stage plays that charms not only Japanese fans of the original works but also fans across the globe. In this interview, we asked Makoto Matsuda, chairman of the Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association, to discuss in detail the turning point of the medium, its future prospects, and even ways to enjoy 2.5-Dimensional musicals in the Japanese capital of Tokyo, where numerous associated events come together.
Read morePerformance
Information
MANKAI STAGE ‘A3！’-Four Seasons LIVE 2024-
Show Date
31 October-4 November, 2024
Outline
A3! Act! Addict! Actors! is a popular mobile game from Japan, where the player trains their very own troupe of fledgling actors in order to restore a struggling theatre group, the Mankai Company, to its original glory. Since its first release in 2017, the game has been downloaded more than 8 million times. The stage adaptation, MANKAI STAGE ‘A3!’ (2018), became well-known across Japan, lovingly nicknamed "A-ste" (A stage) by its large fanbase.
Read moreaoppella!? THE STAGE
Show Date
8-17 November, 2024
Outline
“Aoppella!?” is a music original project launched in March 2021 with the concept of "youth" and "a cappella," where you can enjoy authentic a cappella singing by voice actors. It has been decided that the stage play "Aoppella" will be performed in November 2024!
Read moreNo.6：The Musical
Show Date
8-17 November, 2024
Outline
“NO.6” is a near-future science fiction and dystopian novel by Atsuko Asano, whose best-selling novels ‘Battery’ and others have gained popularity for their intense depictions of human relationships and emotions among teenage boys and girls.
Read moreATTACK on TITAN: The Musical
performance
Show Date
13-22 December, 2024
Outline
ATTACK on TITAN: The Musical is based on one of the best-selling manga series of all time (140 million copies sold worldwide). This adaptation of the Japanese comic/graphic novel by Hajime Isayama combines traditional musical theater techniques with state-of-the-art technology and features a cast more than 30 actors.
Read moreStage 【OSHI NO KO】 Episode 2.5 Dimensional
performance
Show Date
13-22 December, 2024
Outline
Based on the manga work “OSHI NO KO” by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, which has been serialized in “Weekly Young Jump” since April 2020 and is also serialized on the web in “Yanjan! and “JUMP+” on the web.
Read moreJUJUTSU KAISEN The Stage 0:WITH LIVE BAND
performance
Show Date
13-29 December, 2024
Outline
JUJUTSU KAISEN is a stage adaptation of the manga “JUJUTSU KAISEN” by Akutami Gege, serialized in Shueisha's “Weekly Shonen Jump” magazine. The original work, which began serialization in March 2018, depicts a battle between a curse born from negative human emotions and a sorcerer who exorcises the curse through sorcery, and has been receiving a great response worldwide, with a total of 90 million copies sold (including digital editions) in the 27 volumes already published.
The stage version of “JUJUTSU KAISEN The Stage” (also known as “JUJUSte”) recreates the heated battle scenes of the original work on stage with projection mapping, music, and passionate performances by the cast.
Theater ”Litch Hikariclub”2025
Show Date
10-26 January, 2025
Outline
This is the fourth stage adaptation of “Litchi☆Hikari Club,” a manga published by Usamaru Furuya in 2005. The play is written and directed by Aoto Tani, who founded and directs his own theater company, “Zikanseisaku”, and will present a new play, Theater “Litchi Hikariclub” 2025, in which real boys' emotions are extracted and spun through “conversation”.
Read moreMUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS 4th SEASON SEIGAKU vs HIGA
Show Date
11-19 January, 2025
Outline
The series has been performed a total of 2,000 times and attracted a total of more than 3 million people! This is the latest stage in the popular series! This is a stage adaptation of the manga "THE PRINCE OF TENNIS" serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (published by Shueisha). The charming songs that you can't help but hum and the tennis matches expressed with powerful dances incorporating tennis forms are a must-see.
Read moreMusical 「Fate/Zero」～The Sword of Promised Victory～
Show Date
18-26 January, 2025
Outline
“Fate/Zero” is a novel by Gen Urobuchi that serves as a prequel to the original “Fate/stay night” in the Fate series. In pursuit of the power of the “Holy Grail”, the ultimate duel, the Holy Grail War, seven magicians summon seven heroic spirits and battle until there is only one left. A two-part musical adaptation of the original story of the “Fourth Holy Grail War,” the key to the Fate series, with bagpipes and other live music.
Read more
Engekichou Itan
「 xxxHOLiC 」 -Zoku ・ Sai-
Show Date
24 January-9 February, 2025
Outline
“xxxHOLiC,” by the popular creative writing group CLAMP, is a blockbuster hit series that has sold more than 14.5 million copies in total. This popular work has been serialized in ""Young Magazine"" (Kodansha) since 2003 and has been developed into a variety of media mixes, including animated films, TV animation, and live-action dramas. In 2021, it was adapted into an all-male stage play titled ENGEKICHOITAN ""xxxHOLiC,"" gaining new popularity.
Read moreMUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS 4th SEASON SEIGAKU vs HIGA
Show Date
8-15 February, 2025
Outline
The series has been performed a total of 2,000 times and attracted a total of more than 3 million people! This is the latest stage in the popular series! This is a stage adaptation of the manga "THE PRINCE OF TENNIS" serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (published by Shueisha). The charming songs that you can't help but hum and the tennis matches expressed with powerful dances incorporating tennis forms are a must-see.
Read more｢ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH｣～Arrancar the Beginning～
Show Date
8-24 February, 2025
Outline
Since its premiere in 2005, “ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH” has become a series based on the concept of “rock and sword drama” and boasted overwhelming popularity as a pioneer of 2.5-Dimensional musicals. The company has restarted after an eight-year hiatus since “ROCK MUSICAL BLEACH” - Another Earth, which was staged in the summer of 2016. In December 2023, it was announced that the story of ""The Arrancar arc"" would be performed in two parts, and in May 2024, “Arrancar the Beginning” closed with great success, drawing attention for its innovative production that fused music, images, and swordplay to color the world of “BLEACH”.
Read more*There is a link to a Japanese site.
聖地巡礼記事Anime Spot Articles
東京でアニメ聖地巡礼するなら、併せて立ち寄ってほしい “テイクアウト”5選！If you are on a pilgrimage to Tokyo’s anime sacred sites, here are five gourmet takeout places you should try!
作品の舞台背景と見比べたい 東京アニメ聖地“映えスポット”5選See Places that Appear in Anime First-hand Top 5 Post-worthy Spots at Tokyo’s Anime Sacred Sites
聖地巡礼だけじゃない！観光も満喫できるオススメスポット5選More than Just Anime Sacred Sites! Top 5 Recommended Tourist Spots
