Little Tokyo: 1st Year Anniversary Halloween Special **25 October – Hootananny Brixton, London**

Little Tokyo is a Japanese-inspired jazz ensemble based in London, dedicated to celebrating Japanese music and popular culture through creative jazz arrangements and live performance. On 25 October, the group will celebrate its first anniversary with a special Halloween-themed concert at Hootananny Brixton.

The event will bring together music from some of Japan’s most beloved animated films, contemporary anime series, Japanese video games, and City Pop, reimagined through the language of jazz. The programme features music associated with Studio Ghibli films, including *My Neighbour Totoro*, *Princess Mononoke*, *Kiki’s Delivery Service*, *Castle in the Sky*, and *Spirited Away*, alongside contemporary anime themes from *Death Note*, *Attack on Titan*, *Pokémon*, and *Demon Slayer*. The concert will also feature songs by renowned Japanese artists Miyuki Nakajima and Yumi Matsutoya, reflecting the influence of Japanese popular music across generations.

The concert is structured around two musical acts. The first, “Welcome to the Dark Party”, explores the mysterious, dramatic, and atmospheric side of Japanese music, with arrangements inspired by the supernatural and darker themes often found in anime and Japanese animation. The second, “Dark and Sweet”, contrasts this darker atmosphere with more lyrical, nostalgic, and uplifting melodies, showcasing the emotional range and musical diversity of Japanese popular culture.

Through jazz reinterpretations, the ensemble aims to introduce familiar Japanese melodies to new audiences while offering fans of anime and Japanese culture a fresh perspective on music they know and love. The performance combines the accessibility of well-known themes with the improvisation, rhythmic variety, and instrumental interaction characteristic of jazz.

The anniversary concert also celebrates the growing connection between Japanese popular culture and London's diverse music community. By bringing together anime, film music, video game themes, City Pop, and jazz, Little Tokyo seeks to create an engaging cultural experience that connects audiences across generations and backgrounds.

The event is open to fans of Japanese culture, animation, video games, jazz, and live music, as well as anyone interested in experiencing Japanese music through a contemporary cross-cultural performance.

**Event details**

- Event: Little Tokyo 1st Year Anniversary Halloween Special
- Date: 25 October
- Venue: Hootananny Brixton, London
- Format: Live jazz performance featuring Japanese anime, film, video game, and popular music
- Tickets:https://link.dice.fm/Ec52517e122d

Ticket:£10, £7 discount ticket available upon request (DM to Little Tokyo Instagram)