Daemen Animation students joined Mike Jones, Associate Professor of Animation, during winter intersession to travel to Japan where Anime first began. 
Twenty-four students spent 10 days exploring cultural sites, World Heritage sites, and Anime sites in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Jones spent 11 months planning the trip and ultimately chose Japan as the destination due to the students’ interest in Anime and its influence on western society. “Tokyo and Kyoto are iconic cities associated with the Anime industry,” he said.
For some students, this trip marked their first experience with flying, train travel, and visiting a foreign country. All of the students had their first experience riding a high-speed Japanese bullet train—the Shinkansen—that can reach speeds of up to 200 mph.
Jones added, “Traveling to a foreign country is full of amazing experiences that help students expand their horizons. Going to Japan was a visual treat for the Animation students, introducing them to an exciting and different world.”