Everyone in Japan already knows that the Tokyo Sky Tree, which is currently under construction, is going to replace the Tokyo Tower as the main broadcasting tower for Tokyo. It is also now the tallest structure in Japan. Besides taking over the Tokyo Tower’s job, the Tokyo Sky Tree might be set to take over another position: the main battleground/epicenter of events in anime.
The Tokyo Tower has long been a popular prop in Japanese media, from the days of Godzilla rampaging through the streets of Tokyo, to anime that aired just months ago. It is featured heavily in CLAMP series such as Card Captor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles; as well as many other anime set within Tokyo. It has seen everything from warp holes to explosions and tons of magical people/creatures. If the Sky Tree gains more popularity, all of that could change.
The Tokyo Tower was used as the backdrop for many events in anime because it was one of the most identifiable structures in Tokyo. With the Sky Tree dominating everything around it, it’s only natural that soon people will associate that more with Tokyo than the Tokyo Tower. It has already started making its way into anime. Dragon Crisis, which aired this year, has already featured the Sky Tree as a major battleground. In the anime, the main observation deck is destroyed as the hero does battle with a dragon to save a girl. C, a new anime airing this season, has also gone with the Sky Tree, including it in various backgrounds.
With the Sky Tree nearing completion, it’ll be interesting to see how many anime series jump ship and decide to use the Sky Tree over the more traditional Tokyo Tower.
