Benjamin Colling, director of admissions at Vancouver Film School, says the annual festival helps the stylized cinematic animation find a broader audience. Based on the 79 foreign companies at this year's event, the Canadian official may be right, The Japan Times reported Sunday.

"I think most importantly, it allows foreign companies to understand the culture of animation in Japan," Colling said.

"Of course, there are other talented countries, like France, but the style and creativity that comes out of Japan is so unique that it's important for foreign companies to understand its benefit."

The Times said those foreign companies participating in Saturday's event at Tokyo Big Sight was a record for the 7-year-old festival.

Anime is based on storytelling in Japan and is typically less reliant on computer graphics than other animation styles.