Coronavirus Continues to Wreak Havok on Anime Industry, Forcing More Event and Premiere Cancellations Including Doraemon Nobita’s New Dinosaur

Coronavirus Continues to Wreak Havok on Anime Industry, Forcing More Event and Premiere Cancellations Including Doraemon Nobita’s New Dinosaur

The continuing spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 disease has prompted further delays and cancellations of anime and anime-related events as precautionary measures are taken to protect the public against the risk of infection.

The first cancellation in this new wave were the AnimeJapan 2020 and Anime Festa 2020 events, becoming the second and third events, following the massive Nipppombashi Street Festa cosplay event to cancel out of public safety concerns related to the coronavirus. Yhe events’ official English language Twitter account specifically noted that “the conclusion has been made to prevent the further spread of the infection.”

AnimeJapan 2020, Family Anime Festa 2020 cancellation.

Due to the novel coronavirus outbreak and the call from the Japanese government to cancel large-scale events, but above all thinking about the health of our visitors and everyone involved, we have decided to cancel the event. pic.twitter.com/oNoKhs4SrB — AnimeJapan 2020 Official English Account (@aj_overseas) February 27, 2020

We are very sorry to all the anime fans looking forward to this year’s edition and all parties who were preparing for the event, however the conclusion has been made to prevent the further spread of the infection.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. — AnimeJapan 2020 Official English Account (@aj_overseas) February 27, 2020

The included image reads:

“In the face of the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the call from the Japanese government to cancel large-scale events made on February 26, but most of all thinking about the health and safety of our visitors and everyone involved in the event we have decided to cancel AnimeJapan 2020 and Family Anime Festa 2020. We are extremely sorry towards all the anime fans looking forward to this year’s edition and all involved parties who were preparing for the event, however the conclusion has been made to prevent the further spread of the infection. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. February 27, 2020 AnimeJapan Organization”

The following day, it was announced on the official website of the new Doraemon film, Doraemon: Nobita no Shinkyouryuu, that the premiere of the movie would be postponed, with the Production Committee promising audiences that they would announce a new premiere date as soon as possible and that already-purchased tickets would be valid for the updated date.

This postponement subsequently led to the cancellation of an “Opening Memorial Stage Greeting” event scheduled for the following day:

“Regarding the movie Doraemon Nobita’s New Dinosaur, which is scheduled to be released on March 6, 2020 (Friday). In light of the new coronavirus infection status and policies indicated by the New Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Headquarters, we have decided to postpone the release date. We sincerely apologize to all those who have been looking forward to the release of the work. As soon as it is decided, a new date will be announced on the official website of “Movie Doraemon Nobita’s New Dinosaur”. In addition, the advance ticket you purchased can be used for the release after the postponement, so please bring it as it is. Due to this postponement, the “Opening Memorial Stage Greeting” scheduled for March 7 (Sat) at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills will be cancelled. We ask for your understanding and consideration. February 27, 2020 Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s New Dinosaur Production Committee Toho Corporation [Translation provided by Google Translate]”

The Misfit of Demon King Academy (Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha) Production Committee similarly announced that the series debut would be pushed back from April to July due to COVID-19 concerns having “a significant impact on the production schedule.”

They also apologized to their fans and thanked them for their understanding:

“Thank you very much for your support of “The Misfit of Demon King Academy: History’s Strongest Demon King Reincarnates and Goes to School with His Descendants” (hereinafter “The Misfit of Demon King Academy”). Regarding “The Misfit of Demon King Academy” which announced that it will start broadcasting from April 2020. “COVID-19″, which has recently become a global problem, has had a significant impact on the production schedule. Also, there is no prospect of a significant improvement in the production situation. Based on the above situation, we have to postpone the start of the broadcast. We are currently planning to broadcast in July 2020, so we will announce it again on the anime’s official website once the date and time have been decided. Although this is a measure based on an unexpected situation on a global scale, we apologize for any inconvenience and anxiety to fans who are looking forward to their work. Thank you for your understanding. February 28, 2020 “The Misfit of Demon King Academy” Production Committee [Translation provided by Google Translate]”

On the final day of February, video game developer Square Enix informed fans that the upcoming NieR: Theatrical Orchestra concert, which was to be performed on March 28th and 29th in Tokyo, Japan, would be cancelled and rescheduled.

Square Enix also gave a cautionary warning about the concert’s April 25th performance in Osaka, stating that while the concert is currently planned to occur, further developments concerning COVID-19 could lead to that date’s cancellation as well:

“The “NieR: Theatrical Orchestra 12020” Tokyo performance scheduled to be held on March 28 (Sat) and March 29 (Sun) will be canceled. In light of the current situation of new coronavirus infections, the decision was made in consideration of both the health and safety aspects of customers and the inconvenience to customers such a short-notice cancellation could cause. At the same time, we will cancel goods sales planned at the venue. The Osaka performance scheduled to be held on April 25 (Saturday) is scheduled to be held at this stage, but we will carefully consider the future situation and announce it again on the official website. [Translation provided by Google Translate]”

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