Finally, we interviewed Amy a bit more in the cafeteria.

What made you choose Kyoto Seika University?

“Because I thought Kyoto Seika University was an especially good university for manga. You can study a variety of topics, from anime and cartoons to character design, and more, and there are many professors that are active in the industry, too.”

 

What do you think are the best things about Kyoto Seika University?

“The school’s mission statement is the idea of ‘freedom and autonomy,’and just as it says, I think we have a lot of independence!

We have a lot of freedom in the art we create: there have been times when the teachers have let me make some really weird pieces. (laughs)

Also, there are a lot of weird people!

We can dress how we want, so you’ll see all kinds of people, from people coming to school in kimono, to people carrying “ita-bags” decorated with characters from their favorite anime.

It’s definitely a school of nerds. (laughs)”

 

What are your classes like?

“Many of my classes involve the teacher drawing in class, and explaining terminology on the spot—there are few lectures.

In class, we tend to take fewer notes, and try to learn by actually drawing things ourselves. We’re allowed to use our cellphones to take photos, too, so we can look back on them later.”

 

Do you have tests?

“We don’t have things like ‘mid-term exams.’

Ability to graduate is based on our graduation project.

We can make our graduation projects either by ourselves, or in groups.”

 

How many people are there in a class?

“It depends on the class, but in the classes I’ve chosen there are about 30 to 40 people.”

 

How do you find living in Japan?

“I think it’s really easy living here!

There are all types of vending machines all over the place, for example, which is very convenient.

To be honest, though, I do find trash sorting difficult.

There are actually a lot of things I’m still not sure how to sort to this day.”

 

What spots would you recommend in Kyoto?

“I think it’s gotta be the Shijo area. It’s great for shopping.

I also like going to game centers and movie theaters. A lot of the movies I watch are anime.

Recently I’ve been really into a Western sweets shop just next to Yasaka Shrine.

They have sweets with matcha-flavored chocolate, and a “Gion fondue” that you eat with fruit, and it’s really delicious…”

 

What do you want to do in the future?

“I want to work in the anime industry!

My teachers have said that, “This industry is quite difficult to break in to. In the beginning, don’t set your heart just on anime, and consider other industries as well.”

I interpreted this as my teacher telling me to think seriously about my future, and to picture what I want to do in detail.

Teachers are really open about giving advice to students who are driven and motivated towards a goal! I’m planning to keep giving it my all.”

Kyoto Seika University is located alongside the mountains, which gives it part of its free, laid-back atmosphere.

After visiting, we found it to be a wonderful environment for learning a wide variety of subjects, and really focusing in on the subjects you want to learn.

We also saw for ourselves the international facets on the manga department at Kyoto Seika.

Many international students from China, Korea, Europe, and the U.S. study here, and Japanese and international students live together and share cultures in international dorms like the “Shuko-kan,” and other campus facilities.

It’s said that the open atmosphere on campus also attracted its dean, Oussouby Sacko (of the Republic of Mali), to take up his post at Kyoto Seika. In Japan, non-Japanese deans are still a rarity.

Why not come study manga and anime in this open and international environment in Kyoto yourself?

(Writing: Hiroshi Nishino, Doshisha University Social Studies Department)

(Photos: Kyoko Yamashita, Ritsumeikan University Literature Department)

(Coverage in association with: Rimi Morikawa, Doshisha University Cultural Information Department)

(Coveration in association with: Masahiro Sawatari, Doshisha University Social Studies Department)

 

Original article from Koto College

 

More about Kyoto Seika University (on Study Kyoto)

Kyoto Seika University Official Website

 

You can also study manga and anime at the following Kyoto schools!

Kyoto University of Art and Design

The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics

Kyoto Saga University of Art, Kyoto Saga Art College

Ritsumeikan University

Doshisha Women’s University

Kyoto Institute of Design

Kyoto Computer Gakuin

Read more from an arts student in Study Kyoto Magazine’s “Studying the Arts in Kyoto!”