- Kunihiko Ikuhara was born on December 21, 1964 in Komatsushima, Tokushima, Japan. He is a writer and director, known for Yurikuma Arashi (2015), Mawaru-Penguindrum (2011) and Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997).
- Most of his works feature some aspect of the performing arts (theatre/music), which he enjoys.
- His works focus on the theme of revolution: of changing the world or rebelling against accepted norms and taking risks, to the betterment of oneself and others.
- He often fills his work with multiple themes and all sorts of allusions, making them more complex than they appear at first. He refuses to (at least fully) explain his works in order to leave them open to any interpretation by the viewers.
- Enjoys cosplaying (costume playing). His favourite costume is of Sailor Moon (1992)/Sailor Moon (1995)'s Rei Hino/Sailor Mars.
- Enjoys singing and theatre acting. He has composed and sung the soundtrack on many of his animes, and has also done some theatre acting.
- [on Mawaru-Penguindrum (2011)] The theme is... well, there IS a theme. But I feel like, "Please watch it to find out!" There are TWO themes though. My own personal theme, and the theme of the work itself. But that's a secret!
- [on putting themes in his work] Occasionally someone talks about it to me or asks me about it, but I'm really not thinking that much about it. After the fact I'll be able to say, "It was that kind of show, wasn't it?" But while I'm making it, it's generally a case of "it just happened to turn out that way." people who make visuals... I don't mean just with animation, but photography or live-action filming as well... they focus on the things they enjoy seeing, the things that delight them. They turn the camera towards their subject with that thought in mind. So the end result of my working with the aim of making things with that pure sort of feeling is: "Oh, it just turned out like that."
- I once saw an American documentary that followed a family visiting one of their members in prison, once every year, taking their group family photograph all together. If it were in Japan, the mood of it would have been something like, "this little community that caused a problem shouldn't be forgiven," I suppose; a village-based society would cut off a family like that. But in America it's the opposite; like, "No matter what everyone else says, our community is important." I thought that was really interesting. I wonder if Japan will become like that soon eventually too.
- In the nineties there were a lot of stories with "Here I am!" as their theme, but I've had enough of those. Right now I'd rather try a story that reaffirms the sense of community.
- [on dressing up as Sailor Mars] That wasn't me, that was Rei Hino. Actually, I had a stomachache and couldn't go that day. So, to substitute for me was my friend Ray Hino and Minako. They both have beautiful legs. A lot of guys took their photos. So I was a little jealous.
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