The Japanese publisher Kadokawa announced at the end of December that seven major anime titles will receive ice and snow sculptures at the traditional Sapporo Snow Festival, which takes place in February 2026. Among the chosen titles are global hits like Oshi no Ko and Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, as well as Medalist, Pan Dorobō, Odekake Kozame, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil. The works will have their frozen tributes erected at the 11 Chome International Plaza, the international space of the event that occurs between February 4th and 11th of next year.
This initiative reinforces the strength of Japanese pop culture as one of the festival’s main attractions, which draws millions of tourists. Kadokawa has already released concept art and mockups for some of the sculptures, giving a taste of what fans can expect. Meanwhile, the Re:ZERO and Odekake Kozame franchises have released special key visuals for the occasion, building anticipation for the major winter attraction.
Special Events with Famous Voice Actors
In addition to the impressive sculptures that will be on display and illuminated until 10 PM, the festival has prepared an extra attraction for otaku. Famous voice actors will be present on special stages during the event. On February 7th, the voices of Medalist, Natsumi Haruse and Kana Ichinose, will participate in a meet-and-greet. Then on February 8th, it’s the turn of Re:ZERO and Oshi no Ko fans to get excited, with the participation of Yūsuke Kobayashi and Rie Takahashi, and Rie Takahashi (in a different role) and Yurie Igoma, respectively.
These encounters are a rare opportunity for direct interaction with the talents behind iconic characters, all within the unique atmosphere of Japan’s largest winter festival. For those planning a trip to the country in early 2026, this is a perfect combination of tourism and pop culture. In this way, the Sapporo event continues its tradition of uniting the traditional art of ice sculptures with the hottest phenomena in contemporary entertainment.
