After living
in the United States for a couple of years, Kunihiko Ikuhara remains unchanged
in his outlook on the art of animation, and still appeals to the fans who
love him for Revolutionary Girl Utena and Sailor Moon. He's still asked
dozens of fan questions about the characters he created, like Anthy from
Utena. When Ikuhara was asked why Anthy was among the few dark-skinned
characters in that series, he answered that "There was a time when I had
decided that if Anthy would have dark skin, but I decided that dark skin
went better with the red costume," referring to the magnificent dress Anthy
wears during duels, "so that's why she has dark skin." Another fan asked
why Utena's hair seems to change length during the series, and Ikuhara
said, jokingly, that the hair is like a spring-loaded, retractable cord.
When Ikuhara
is asked a question, he usually pauses, hums a melodious "Ummm," and then
comes up with an answer. Often that answer is a funny one because the questions
are odd, such as the one from the fan who wondered why some of Utena's
nudes aren't completely anatomically correct. A joking Ikuhara said that
he didn't want to limit fans' fantasies about the characters, especially
about some...uh, male characteristics. "To some fans, size matters," he
joked. Ikuhara was even asked about his cosplaying as Sailor Mars, and
answered that he wouldn't do that again because the makeup and shaving
took too long.
Ikuhara's animated
works have proved popular around the world, and one fan wanted to know
what he thought of those fans. "I think fans are pretty much the same anywhere,
but I think there are more Japanese fans who try to read a lot into Utena.
There are fans who try to explain show in ways that are hard to understand.
Obviously they know more about the show than I do." And he tries not to
have a favorite character, saying it limits his artistic judgment if he
plays favorites.
After living
in the United States for a couple of years, Kunihiko Ikuhara remains unchanged
in his outlook on the art of animation, and still appeals to the fans who
love him for Revolutionary Girl Utena and Sailor Moon. He's still asked
dozens of fan questions about the characters he created, like Anthy from
Utena. When Ikuhara was asked why Anthy was among the few dark-skinned
characters in that series, he answered that "There was a time when I had
decided that if Anthy would have dark skin, but I decided that dark skin
went better with the red costume," referring to the magnificent dress Anthy
wears during duels, "so that's why she has dark skin." Another fan asked
why Utena's hair seems to change length during the series, and Ikuhara
said, jokingly, that the hair is like a spring-loaded, retractable cord.
When Ikuhara
is asked a question, he usually pauses, hums a melodious "Ummm," and then
comes up with an answer. Often that answer is a funny one because the questions
are odd, such as the one from the fan who wondered why some of Utena's
nudes aren't completely anatomically correct. A joking Ikuhara said that
he didn't want to limit fans' fantasies about the characters, especially
about some...uh, male characteristics. "To some fans, size matters," he
joked. Ikuhara was even asked about his cosplaying as Sailor Mars, and
answered that he wouldn't do that again because the makeup and shaving
took too long.
Ikuhara's animated
works have proved popular around the world, and one fan wanted to know
what he thought of those fans. "I think fans are pretty much the same anywhere,
but I think there are more Japanese fans who try to read a lot into Utena.
There are fans who try to explain show in ways that are hard to understand.
Obviously they know more about the show than I do." And he tries not to
have a favorite character, saying it limits his artistic judgment if he
plays favorites.
