New Airport in Japan is, You Guessed it, CONAN THEMED!

[14341210]

So now DC is getting its own airport, must be fun to visit for all the DC fans!

TOTTORI, Japan, March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tottori airport reopened as Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport on March 1 and the Tottori prefectural government held a ceremony to mark its renewal opening. A commemorative chartered flight from Shanghai arrived at the airport and received warm welcome from Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai and others.

The airport was named after the main character of widely-popular manga and anime series "Detective Conan-Case Closed" by Gosho Aoyama who hails from the prefecture.

"With the attendance of members of the media from around the world in this event, Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport started its history under global attention," said Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai in his address at the outset of the ceremony.

The prefecture home to a number of manga artists has been utilizing the power of manga as a tool of promotion under the Manga Kingdom Tottori initiative, hoping to increase people exchange and vitalize the region.

He also mentioned about promoting tourist attractions of Tottori, including Tottori Sand Dunes, inside and outside the country. The sand dunes are the most famous sand hills in Japan, known for the size of its heave and plants unique to the dunes.

In a video message played during the ceremony, manga artist Aoyama expressed his excitement about the renewal opening of the airport and said, "I hope many visitors from around the world will visit Tottori Prefecture through the airport and the prefecture will be energized."

Aoyama also expressed his desire that participants of the ceremony will enjoy the decorations of the airport featuring Conan characters and trick art.

Twenty one spots in the airport facilities are decorated with drawings and objects featuring characters of the Detective Conan series.

The 18-meter long and 8-meter wide 3D trick art, depicting Conan riding on a camel at the Tottori Sand Dunes, on the ground level floor of an airport building was unveiled during the opening ceremony.

The governor spoke with the foreign press members at the airport prior to the ceremony, saying "Worldly-popular Conan became the symbol of this airport. I wish people from all over the world will visit here."

Source: http://kotaku.com/detective-conan-gets- ... 1688858426

What do you guys think? I think this sounds great, it just means that the series is well and thriving. This is what I appreciate about DC, its enjoyment and fame have been steady over the years. Increasing on some ends, and decreasing in others. It's all just so well balanced.

Look at some of the other big shounens, it's a spur, and then they go downhill from there, or until they catch up to the manga. I think this news bode great for the future of DC. Hopefully we see a bigger budget and a better production overall.

[k11chi]

Sounds kind of expensive, but I guess people that want to go watch the movies every year would use this more often than not if the prices are right...

[MoonRaven]

ho? this is interesting

[Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko]

While this is impressive, it's also another sign that this series won't end. As long as it prints money, I don't see Gosho or his employers letting DC end.

[14341210]

Sounds kind of expensive, but I guess people that want to go watch the movies every year would use this more often than not if the prices are right...

It's actually not all that expensive. The airport had long plans of re-opening, so they would have opened it without the DC theme. They just used Detective Conan's popularity to attract people to the airport. According to the article, there was international coverage, and fans from everywhere came in to see the opening. Otaku culture in Japan is big, and when we add this to Gosho's hometown being Tottori, you've got a whole reason to pull this and gain exposure.

While this is impressive, it's also another sign that this series won't end. As long as it prints money, I don't see Gosho or his employers letting DC end.

I think that's a good thing for most DC fans. I personally don't want them to rush the franchise yet. I've been watching the show for far too long, and I would like it to end once it uses up all its flair.

DC community is actually still building up, and it's steadily attaining legendary Doraemon-like status in Japan and elsewhere. Large fanbase, small community. I'm not sure if my point gets across, but what I mean is that the series should press on until that final touch.

Look at those guys:

Crowd is wild!

[Wakarimashita]

While this is impressive, it's also another sign that this series won't end. As long as it prints money, I don't see Gosho or his employers letting DC end.

Pretty much this. Maybe the manga eventually, especially if Gosho can't keep up with his health, but as for the anime, no way.

[Jd-]

While this is impressive, it's also another sign that this series won't end. As long as it prints money, I don't see Gosho or his employers letting DC end.

I think that's a good thing for most DC fans. I personally don't want them to rush the franchise yet.

We're 20 years into the series now, to note. Not sure what "taking their time" would be like if ending it in the next half-decade could be considered rushing.

[kkslider5552000]

While this is impressive, it's also another sign that this series won't end. As long as it prints money, I don't see Gosho or his employers letting DC end.

I think that's a good thing for most DC fans. I personally don't want them to rush the franchise yet.

We're 20 years into the series now, to note. Not sure what "taking their time" would be like if ending it in the next half-decade could be considered rushing.

Well considering the pacing for Conan story arcs...

[red.orchid]

Good for you, Gosho ^^

Also means the ending is definitely a long way ahead.

[char13happy]

Just added another reason to visit Japan. :p

On the subject of Conan ending, I doubt very much so. The fact that it's 900+ chapters, 760+ episodes and 19+ movies in means that even though it doesn't hold much against more popular shonen series, it's got a very loyal and steady fanbase that's not going to let it finish soon.

[Kor]

Just added another reason to visit Japan. :p

On the subject of Conan ending, I doubt very much so. The fact that it's 900+ chapters, 760+ episodes and 19+ movies in means that even though it doesn't hold much against more popular shonen series, it's got a very loyal and steady fanbase that's not going to let it finish soon.

I feel like you are underestimating the popularity of Conan in Japan.

[char13happy]

Just added another reason to visit Japan. :p

On the subject of Conan ending, I doubt very much so. The fact that it's 900+ chapters, 760+ episodes and 19+ movies in means that even though it doesn't hold much against more popular shonen series, it's got a very loyal and steady fanbase that's not going to let it finish soon.

I feel like you are underestimating the popularity of Conan in Japan.

Maybe? I think it's more along the lines of just expecting the worst at this point. Or maybe it's also because it's not that popular outside Japan that makes me think that it's not as popular as I think it is in Japan.

[kkslider5552000]

I think literally the only anime more popular than Conan in Japan that are newer than Conan are One Piece and MAYBE Attack on Titan.

[Wakarimashita]

Manga wise, many things are more popular than Conan nowadays including One Piece and AOT (though selling 500-600k copies after 85 volumes is still a huge feat). Anime wise, it's another story.

[14341210]

While this is impressive, it's also another sign that this series won't end. As long as it prints money, I don't see Gosho or his employers letting DC end.

I think that's a good thing for most DC fans. I personally don't want them to rush the franchise yet.

We're 20 years into the series now, to note. Not sure what "taking their time" would be like if ending it in the next half-decade could be considered rushing.

Well considering the pacing for Conan story arcs...

Hahaha, yep, that's what I meant.

It's not how long it's been running, it's how slow the pacing is. That's why if it ended now, it would be a rush. There's much more left, IMO.