舞台挨拶

• Reading: ぶたいあいさつ
• Romaji: butai aisatsu
• Kanji breakdown: 舞台 (舞 = dance + 台 = platform → stage) + 挨拶 (挨 = push open + 拶 = approach → greeting) → stage greeting
• Pronunciation: /bu.ta.i.a.i.sa.tsu/

Meaning

Stage greeting; an in-person appearance by the cast at a movie theater screening for a talk or Q&A with the audience.

舞台挨拶 is a special event format in Japanese cinema where actors, directors, and sometimes voice actors appear at specific screenings to greet the audience, share behind-the-scenes stories, and answer questions. These events are heavily sought-after — tickets are distributed by lottery and sell out instantly. For anime films, 舞台挨拶 with voice cast are major draws. The experience of watching a film and then seeing the creators in person creates lasting memories.

Examples

1. 舞台挨拶のチケット当選した！推しの俳優に会える！ I won the lottery for stage greeting tickets! I get to see my favorite actor in person!
2. 舞台挨拶付き上映って普通の回より高いけど行く価値ある。 Screenings with a stage greeting cost more than regular showings, but they're totally worth it.
3. 舞台挨拶でキャスト同士の仲良しトークが見れて最高だった。 Seeing the cast joke around together at the stage greeting was the best.

Usage Guide

Context: film promotion, social media, entertainment media

Tone: excited, informational

Do Say

• 舞台挨拶の日程出た？行きたいんだけど。 (Has the stage greeting schedule been released? I want to go.)
• 舞台挨拶で監督が裏話してくれて面白かった。 (The director shared behind-the-scenes stories at the stage greeting and it was great.)

Don't Say

• 一般的なトークショーを「舞台挨拶」とは呼ばない — 舞台挨拶 specifically refers to cast appearances at film screenings

Common Mistakes

• Thinking 舞台挨拶 is a full performance — it's typically a brief appearance (15-30 minutes) before or after a screening

Origin & History

From 舞台 (stage) + 挨拶 (greeting). A traditional term from theater culture that has been adopted for cinema promotional events. Stage greetings have been a part of Japanese film promotion since at least the Showa era.

Cultural Context

Era: Long-standing Japanese cinema tradition

Generation: All ages, especially film and anime fans

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Major films can have dozens of 舞台挨拶 at theaters across the country during opening week.