Anime Your Name brings couples together at Japanese group dating event

The search for a partner in Tokyo or Osaka is made all the more magical with this special anime-themed matchmaking party.

With more than 10 million tickets sold since its August 26 release in Japan, Kimi no Na wa, or Your Name, has enchanted the nation with its beautifully told tale of two star-crossed characters, who transport into each other’s bodies while searching for a way to meet face-to-face. Set in Tokyo, the story of country-born Mitsuha and urbanite Taki is the perfect inspiration for romance, and now hearts that fluttered over the movie can flutter together in a setting designed to facilitate bonds between fans. The special occasion is being advertised as “Your Name x Machikon“, with machikon referring to the large-scale dating phenomenon that’s become popular in Japan in recent years. Not only do machikon provide fun opportunities for singles to mingle, they also work to rejuvenate local economies, as restaurants and companies provide venues and catering for each event.

The Your Name x Machikon singles event is a tie-up between Toho Company, who distributes Your Name, and Machikon Japan, one of the country’s premier matchmaking event coordinators, and this official backing makes this one of the biggest dating events on the calendar, open to a total of 100 participants. According to the Machikon Japan website, people who join the event need to be aware of several key points: participants must be over the age of 20; they need to like the movie, which will give everyone a common interest to bond over while getting to know each other; they should have watched the movie, so that people can freely discuss the plot and its romantic moments without having to worry about giving away any spoilers for the film; and the event will involve a number of seat changes, with a certain amount of time allocated to speak with potential partners, as is common at matchmaking parties.

The cost to take part in the event is 5,900 yen (US$56.12) for men and 3,900 yen for women, which includes an all-you-can-eat food and drink buffet and free movie merchandise souvenirs to take home. The Your Name x Machikon will take place in Tokyo on 5 November from 12 – 3 p.m. and at the same time in Osaka on 12 November. If you’d like to take part in the chance to meet your own star-crossed partner through the power of anime, applications can be made at the event website online.

Source: PR Times
Top image: PR Times
Insert images: Your Name official website

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