When a middle-aged alcoholic, a transgender former drag queen, and a runaway teen meet on the streets of Tokyo and discover an abandoned baby, a tragic, heartwarming, and mildly Christmas-themed series of events takes place.

Tokyo Godfathers is the story of a found family, even more significant because the three protagonists are homeless, finding a home in each other and the journey on which they embark, while representing a widespread and stigmatised issue that many still fall victim to. Tokyo Godfathers reflects an ability to persevere and make light of the dark through community and acceptance.

Although a product of its time, Tokyo Godfathers is still widely considered radical for its inclusion of beloved and complex trans character Hana, in a genre that would typically exclude queer representation. Tokyo Godfathers is one of a kind, combining such valued genres as anime and LGBTQ+ film to create a special contribution to international cinema.

We want to represent the families so often found in queer communities in a range of genre’s this Pride season.

Splendid animation, a hint of the magic of Christmas (indulge!), and the true comfort of community, Tokyo Godfathers is screened as part of Showroom’s Young Programmer’s Pride season titled: Good for Them!

This screening will not feature ads or trailers, but will begin with an introduction by the Young Programmers, and a screening of the short film Coming Out by Cressa Maeve Áine.

Coming Out dir. Cressa Maeve Áine

Director Satoshi Kon
Year 2004
Duration 1h 28m
Language Japanese with English Subtitles
Cast Tory Emori, Aya Okamoto, Yoshiaki Umegaki