SENDAI--A three-car train decorated with characters of popular manga is touring the Tohoku region as part of efforts to draw attention to reconstruction activities following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.
The “Comic Train” departed JR Sendai Station on July 23 while a battery of railway buffs snapped photos.
With the catchphrase “Manga de TsunaGo” (Let’s connect with manga), the train will journey through the prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima for a total of seven days, mainly on weekends, through Aug. 6.
Characters of three manga--“One Piece,” “Ace of Diamond” and “Detective Conan,” also known as “Case Closed”--decorate the train.
Publishers Shueisha Inc., Kodansha Ltd. and Shogakukan Inc. lent their support for the project. In Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, as well as other municipalities, passengers will be able to buy local specialties during stops.
“Five years have passed since the disaster took place. We want to make the project an event that will lead to local revitalization and bring smiles to children’s faces,” said Shigeru Haramoto, chairman of the committee for the project.