As the well-known creative artist and director Kunihiko Ikuhara is set to release his new original animé Sarazanmai, a new exhibition featuring his most popular works will be held at Space 634 in Tokyo Solomachi. The exhibition, which will run from April 27 up until May 6, is entitled Kunihiko Ikuhara Bokutachi wo Tsunageru Yokubo to Kakumei no Seizon Senryaku (“The Survival Strategy of Desire and Revolution that Connects Us”).
The event’s official poster showcases Ikuhara’s most iconic works such as Yuri Kuma Arashi, Mawari Penguindrum, and the animé widely considered to be his magnum opus, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Nico Video is also taking part in celebrating Ikuhara’s works, as the video-sharing platform will be broadcasting marathons of these three titles in different time blocks.
Besides his old works, the exhibition will also showcase his newest original animé, Sarazanmai. Brace yourself for the story summary, as it reflects Ikuhara’s weird but oddly interesting artistry:
“The stage is Asakusa.
One day, three second-year middle school students — Kazuki Yasaka, Toi Kuji, and Enta Jinai — meet a kappa-like creature named Keppi, who is the self-proclaimed heir to the throne of Kappa Kingdom. Keppi forcibly takes the students’ shirikodama (a mythical organ kappa steal through a person’s anus) and they are transformed into kappa. Keppi informs them, “If you want to return to your former selves, you need to connect in ‘that way’ and you must bring me the shirikodama of zombies.” Will the three boys be able to connect and take the shirikodama of zombies?
At the same time, two policemen, Reo Niiboshi and Mabu Akutsu, try to do something at the police box where they are stationed.”
Sarazanmai premiers this April 2019 in Fuji TV’s animé programming block noitaminA.
Source: Crunchyroll, Moshi Moshi Nippon