Fujio Rock Festival 2018, a music and rakugo event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Fujio Akatsuka's death, will be held at Ebisu Garden Place in Tokyo on August 1st and 2nd, the anniversary of his death and the day before.


It's been 10 years since the death of Fujio Akatsuka, creator of numerous comedy manga masterpieces such as "Tensai Bakabon," "Osomatsu-kun," and "Moeru Ataro." "I'd be willing to die to get laughs," Akatsuka famously said, and he dedicated his life to his gags. To honor his legacy, we're holding a Fujio Rock Festival, a "fun time" to celebrate his death.


The "Botsu 10th Anniversary Live" will be held on both days. On August 1st, Denki Groove, Yoshihide Otomo Special Big Band, and Yasuhiro Yoshigaki will perform, and on August 2nd, THE BEATNIKS (Yukihiro Takahashi and Keiichi Suzuki), who also performed at last year's Bakada University Festival Live Commemorating Fujio Akatsuka's 80th Birthday, and Akiko Yano will also perform. On both August 1st and 2nd, Ebisu Garden Place will host the "Baka Bon Odori," the "most foolish Bon Odori dance in Japan, performed by Japan's most foolish friends." A special stage will be erected within the venue, decorated with colorful lanterns. The event will also feature the premiere of Otomo Yoshihide's "Fujio Ondo," a piece created specifically for the event.


During the afternoon and evening of August 1st, "Rakugo: Fujio's 10 Years of Stupid Variety Show" will be held. The matinee performance will feature Yanagiya Kyotaro, Naked in the Snow, Hayashiya Hikoichi, San'yutei Shiratori, Shimizu Hiroshi, and Tachikawa Yoshiwara. The evening performance will feature a stellar lineup of rakugo artists, including Shunputei Shota, Naked in the Snow, Togetsuan Hakushu, Tachikawa Ikushi, Suidobashi Hakase, and Yanagiya Wasabi. Additionally, a crowdfunding service has been launched for the "Baka Bon Odori" support project, allowing participants to create their own original lanterns featuring their favorite names and Fujio Akatsuka characters to be hung throughout the venue. For details, visit the support site (https://readyfor.jp/projects/fujiorock2018). Tickets for the live concert and rakugo performances are currently on sale ahead of the general release on June 16th. All tickets include an original folding fan as a special gift for attendees. For more information, visit the official website (https://fujio-botsu10nen.jp/fujiorock).