Session 2 was devoted to the work of Ikuhara Kunihiko, recipient of the '97 Animation Kobe Kobe Award. Bringing to life the session's title, "The Brilliant World of Ikuhara Kunihiko," were the guests, voice actress Kawakami Tomoko, who was dressed as the animation character Utena, and manga artist Saito Chiho, who appeared in a costume of gold lam This session was aired live on AM Kobe radio's Seishun Radimania show, so it was emceed by the show's hosts, Iwasaki Kazuo and Minami Kaori. The lively and humorous discussion included a review of director Ikuhara's career, the development of Utena by Ms. Saito and ビーパパス, and the "secret" of how Ms. Kawakami snagged the role of Utena. The session also included the presentation of a clip from the feature film version of 「少女革命ウテナ」, which is scheduled for release next summer.

Tomoko Kawakami dressed like UTENA

the show's hosts, Iwasaki Kazuo and Minami Kaori Today's guests

Kunihiko Ikuhara & Chiho Saitoh

■Emcees

Iwasaki Kazuo Minami Kaori

■Guests

Kunihiko Ikuhara	［Director］ From Tokushima prefecture. Member of the Japan Film Directors' Association. Directed the TV series Sailor Moon in 1993, instantly becoming an animation industry hit-maker. Developed and directed the TV animation series "La fillette revolutionnaire UTENA" in 1997. The series' popularity led to production of a feature film version, to be unveiled in 1999, also directed by Ikuhara. Leading member of "Be-PaPas", a planning group. Won the Kobe Award at Animation Kobe '97.
Chiho Saito	［Cartoonist］ Born in Kodaira, Tokyo. Debuted with Sword and Mademoiselle, which appeared in the Spring 1982 issue of Coronet magazine. Followed with numerous series in the Weekly Shojo Comic and Puchi Comic magazines primarily, gaining a wide following with such works as "花音(かのん)", "恋物語"," 白木蘭円舞曲", "花冠のマドンナ", "もう一人のマリオネット", and "La fillette revolutionnaire UTENA". With regard to the last, was involved in character design and development for the animation version as well.
Tomoko Kawakami	［Voice actress］ Born in Tokyo. With a voice in the mezzosoprano range, played Amagami Utena, the leading character in the "La fillette revolutionnaire UTENA" TV series, Haita Konoha in "魔法少女プリティーサミー" and "ピーコ" in "はじめ人間ゴン", among other roles. Also popular as a radio personality, appearing in such programs as AM Kobe's "メサCANネットワーク" and" 川上とも子のうさぎのみみたぶ", as well as 文化放送's "ZMAP WA ZMAP".

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