A scholar of real world places used as bases for anime scenes has compiled this extensive map using Google Maps, complete with comparison photographs in each locality and covering a wide variety of series, and some, such as Haruhi, are covered in great depth.
It is a very interesting resource.
You may wish to proceed straight to the map.
There are some rather strong geographic biases evident in the map; presumably this has much to do with the location of the studios in question, and the kind of settings we see in these titles (generally standard Japanese urban/suburban residential areas, with hyper-urban areas such as central Tokyo less common).
Also of likely interest are the recent looks we have had at the same techniques employed in Kannagi, Clannad and Index.
I’m not sure what can be done to help non-Japanese speakers make full use of this excellent resource, but I hope this transliterated list will be of assistance:
CLANNAD
Kanon
AIR
Fate
みずいろ / Mizuiro
SHUFFLE
月は東に日は西に / Tsuki wa Higashi ni Hi wa Nishi ni
ホワイトブレス / White Bless
SummerDays
つよきす / Tsuyokisu
H2O
うたかた / Utakata
SNOW
ひぐらしのなく頃に / Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
To Heart
それは舞い散る桜のように / Sore wa Maichiru Sakura no You ni
かみちゅ / Kamichu
涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱 / Haruhi
ダ・カーポ / Da Capo
You might also like to use Rikaichan in conjunction with the map.
Is referencing real world places in anime legal?
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I think I accidentaly made a triple post on the previous article, sorry for that
Why would you think it would not be? Referencing them on TV happens all the time.
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Don’t worry about it…
I think he’s referring to copyright issues.
As long as the “Family Mart” konbini at the corner gets it name changed to “Family Bart” or something similarly silly it’s fine.
Yes, anime producers certainly enjoy this sort of thing…
Damn, thats awesome
I’m so going to the Fate bridge.
Sugoi! I was looking for a map like this!
This month I’m surely will go to Kobe, but is bad not to have places arround the Kyoto area…
wow! such effort in compiling this has a lot of time on their hands XDD
I’m so going Japan when I have the chance..
Maybe this topic was brought up by some Japan tourism Agency to attract people like me? ^^;
I’ve visited the real life setting for Air:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hikaritokyo/KasumiAirMisuzuSTown
They missed Onegai Teacher/Twins at Lake Kizaki. I’ve been there, it’s very peaceful. But this is a very useful map ^^
also, someone from paris could try to find out where nodame & pals were staying at. there are, at least, some anime with international locations that are probably modelled after the real thing?
sadly, google maps doesn’t support map collaboration. the map shows the maker’s handle though. maybe it works as gmail address?
wow! never knew the extent they copy from real places…. just thought they named a place and that was it…..