Kunikiko Ikuhara
Kunikiko Ikuhara is the director of the Shoujo Kakumei Utena series and movie. He was born in Kanagawa, Japan on December 21 and became an animation director years later when Toei Animation held a director's test in 1986. If he had not passed the stiff competition in this test, he probably would have become a graphic designer, since he wanted to do something with his drawing. But, he did pass the competition and became the animation director, and continues to utilize his visual skills through such, and in theatrical stage design. In addition to directing SKU, Ikuhara has also worked on Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, Maple Town, and Schell Bullet.
His work on SKU was not limited to directing. He also took a part in other aspects, such as costume design and music production. Ikuhara has stated that the costume designs for Utena were influenced by other series like Ribon no Kishi, Rose of Versailles and even BSSM. He especially thought of cosplayers when creating the Student Council uniforms.
As explained in a recent interview (published in Animerica), Ikuhara noted that Utena was intended to be both an anime and manga series from the beginning. In fact, they both originated from a single proposal. The manga happened to debut first because the animation production took longer.
Chiho Saito
She is the mangaka (the author and illustrator) of the Shoujo Kakumei Utena manga. After finishing the Utena manga, she went on to work on her next series, Lady Masquerade. Although it took her some time to learn to write a good manga story, the drawing has always come to her easily, being a self-taught artist. Since she works on shoujo series, Saito feels she wants a softness to her work, giving it a "sense of openness."
Chiho Saito at ACen2K + Another view
|
