A Taste of Japanese Culture at Disney World: Epcot's Japan Pavilion

Of the four main parks at Disney World, Epcot is certainly my favorite. Among all the great rides, the informative and interactive exhibits, and the cultural experience of the World Showcase, a trip to Epcot is sure to be a day of excitement.

Any anime fan going to Epcot should certainly not miss the Japan Pavilion at the World Showcase. At the Japan Pavilion, one can get a taste of Japan’s culture with the surroundings, food, shops, and live performances.

I’ve been to the Japan Pavilion on several occasions, but one thing it’s always lacked was some anime-related stuff. However, during my most recent trip to Epcot, I was surprised and pleased to see the latest exhibit there, entitled “Spirited Beasts: From Ancient Stories to Anime Stars.”

The exhibit focuses on animal anthropomorphism in anime (much to the delight of cat-girl/fox-girl/whatever-girl fans everywhere), while explaining the mythological beasts of which these characters were derived from. While I’m a bit skeptical of Rei Ayanami being classified as a “Robotic Cat Spirit,” it was still very nice to see some of my favorite characters on display here. I’m very glad that Disney, in a culture where anime is generally looked down upon, has taken the time to give it some appreciation.

For further reading on this exhibit, see these blog posts.

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