Anime Manhole Cover Art: Record of Lodoss War

With Anime Day falling on October 22nd, it seemed like a good opportunity to reflect on the many ways people discover anime in Japan. In my case, that often happens without watching the shows themselves. While I enjoy the occasional anime, I'm far from an expert, and I've ended up learning about several series through an unlikely source: decorative manhole covers.

This particular illuminated manhole cover features artwork from Record of Lodoss War. I spotted it along the route between Higashi-Tokorozawa Station and Tokorozawa Sakura Town in Saitama Prefecture, where a collection of anime-themed manhole covers helps guide visitors through the area. The elegant fantasy-style character immediately caught my eye, despite the fact that I had never heard of the series before.

One of the things I enjoy about these covers is that they often introduce me to a different corner of Japanese pop culture. What starts as noticing an interesting design on the pavement can quickly turn into learning about a long-running anime, manga, or novel series. It's a reminder that in Japan, cultural discoveries can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.