Kunihiko Ikuhara: A Revolutionary Director of Anime

[@ZeriaYT]

Timestamps for chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 7:45 - Growing Up 15:08 - Pre-Sailor Moon Toei 22:59 - Sailor Moon 43:21 - Utena 1:26:43 - In Between Utena and Penguindrum 1:33:58 - Penguindrum 1:57:30 - Yuri Kuma Arashi 2:14:00 - Conclusion

[@DarknightSinada]

Zeria thank you for making this video. Keep up the grait work.

[@charlestrudel8308]

Yuri kuma arashi in its first half is actually demonstrating that homosexuality may be even too popular today while most of it are not true feelings (thats why theres so many sexual abuses in the series... of course, its not because most of these feelings are bad that all of them are, the proof lies in the ending, it still exist, true feeling i mean. (Great contrast with utena isnt it.))

[@linuswang6572]

So, basically, Ikuhara is a commie. Damn... You ruined my favourite animes for me! (Just kidding. Nice work with the analysis by the way. A bit too woke for my taste tho.)

[@zs4580]

@@linuswang6572 Lol "too woke" smh, what a joke.

[@dominodamsel]

"that she stabbed her was a problem of course, but both people are at fault here" me as a lawyer

[@voltairinekropotkin5581]

Ikuhara's core theme, that it's worth trying to transform oppressive systems, even if you only change them a small bit, is an excellent and appropriate message for the millennial generation; and every generation that will come after us. In a world of accelerating social strife and environmental degradation, it's easy to retreat into either (1) escapism, or (2) impatience and despair when total revolutions fail to come about. But it still makes a difference when you try to change things for the better - by expanding the spheres of free cooperation - even if it only makes a difference in a few people's lives. Because then those people will be inspired to change more lives. Even if we can't ultimately achieve the total annihilation of hierarchy and domination, at least every step we take towards achieving that is a step in the right direction.

[@zs4580]

1:19:50 Fun fact, the author of the two Utena light novels went on to write Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, which (while mostly being an anime version of the Tempest) takes a lot of clear references from Utena, with the main character ending up engaged to the Bride after winning a (giant robot) duel and having to fight many more duels to protect her over the course of the series. SPOILERS That show also subverts things a bit by having the main character turn out to be more Anthy-ish and the Bride is more like Utena. It's a very different series with a very different story but there are clearly some intentional parallels with those two characters. As well as surface level similarities with some others.

[@HarukoPlease]

As an Ikuhara fanboy I want to say thank you for making this, this is amazing

[@V2ULTRAKill]

Honestly Utena's deconstruction of gender roles especially in adolescence was a huge part of my own awakening, paired with a few....less good anime i like for much less personal reasons and tought me how to handle my identity. Utena is my all time favorite anime and Ikuhara is my favorite director, every single thing he's directed is in my top 15

[@Elektrochoke]

❤ I feel you. I just finished watching Mawaru Penguindrun and I don’t have words for how Ikuhara makes me feel. RG Utena is the best for me, but even other Ikuharas works help me understand it better

[@kumagori251]

Two and a half hours of Kunihiko Ikuhara? Count me in!

[@optimisticDuelist]

I see your rose lalonde and i love her

[@AbsoluteXandy]

"I don't wanna watch a 2 hours video..." *Read Kunihiko Ikuhara's name* "Ok! You win"

[@SageTheMage17]

I watched the entire video and it was super interesting. As a lesbian and long time Utena and Sailormoon fan it was a delight. Anime also helped me come to terms with my sexuality so it’s always cool to see how it’s helped with others identity formation. Keep up the great work. ✨

[@itskyatto]

You're doing God's work.

[@atheismcrew1524]

XD

[@SalimDoodles]

I knew Ikuhara was a big name in the anime community, but I never thought he meant so much And I love hearing your opinions about him, and all the analysis behind his works, and how they shaped you! And pls I hope you don't die doing another 2 and a half hour analysis, THIS IS A DOWN RIGHT MOVIE BUDDY

[@pain245]

Also , as an Utena fan and part of my work as a Literature student, I'll be doing a research paper on the affective environments mapped out in Utena, so this video will be an invaluable source. So thanks a huge bunch

[@madypants]

Thank you so much for this. I've used Utena as something close to a religious text in my life since I was a teenager (circa 2000), and it makes me so happy to see people are still dissecting it to find new meaning. I've also been on the hunt for help interpreting the incredibly dense and layered material in Penguin Drum, and this is the best and in depth thing I've found yet. You are awesome and I'm so grateful.

[@SayakaMikiMusic]

Whoa, a TWO HOUR VIDEO??? I am so hyped to watch this. I loved Penguindrum, I think the ratings it has on various sites don't do it justice. It may feel inaccessible or confusing to some and thus not entertaining, but there is so much love and thought and meaning put into it, and I found it very emotionally powerful. Not to mention hilarious at times.

[@simonkete4809]

There is some plot progression/production problem in Penguindrum's mid act. The current length the show has end up with is probably still too short, from a pure story completeness stand point. (And you need to add 15-20% extra for Ikuhara for some form over function performance that are heavily influenced by Japanese theater.) Plus, not all people understand the subject, especially in the west, and even if they do, they may not agree to what Ikuhara is trying to say in the show. Not all revolutionary ideals are easy consumables. hence revolution will not be televised. It's mass appeal was suspected from the beginning. Utena really was lucky to become as popular as it is. But this should not be treated as the norm of popular reception of Ikuhara's shows.

[@HazyChase20]

One of the best anime related videos on KZbin: Informative, critical, and makes one think about their relationship with the work itself. Fantastic work.

[@TruthinessChibiOtaku]

It must feel amazing to have finally reached the finish line on this project. But you did it. This is quite possibly the best, most informative, insightful and heartwarming video essay I've ever seen on KZbin or the Internet at large bar none. The amount of love, care, attention to detail, and research you did in crafting this video is clearly expressed through every frame. I probably learned more about my favorite director and my four favorite television series (which I will forever regard as high art and this fact will remain indisputable for the rest of my life) than I ever had from consulting the various articles and videos I've seen on Ikuhara or anime production in general. I even teared up several times, and have gained a stronger appreciation and respect for works such as Adolescence and Penguindrum which I have always loved yet often felt a strong disconnect with in terms of structure and plot progression. I can definitely attribute much of my introduction and further investment in Ikuhara and his works as the impetus for my own self-discovery of my sexuality and gender identity, as well as my overall interest in anime and media analysis. I started watching Sailor Moon in Spring 2012, and long before I actually managed to finish R and start on Utena which I would finish in February 2013 I was immediately captivated by the man once I learned of his existence. And although I am not even nearly as close to understanding everything about him and his works that I find so touching and impactful, that may be a testament to their greatness overall. Thank you for all of the hard work and affection you put into this wonderful piece, and to all of your supporters who made it possible. I truly enjoyed our conversations regarding this topic on Twitter, and I hope that even if we disagreed on some viewpoints any of those were able to contribute to the production of this video in some way. Very much looking forward to your next one.

[@ailithxx]

Okay but I'm almost passing out from laughing DIJEIJF the automatic subtitles literally called Mikage "Mika gay"

[@CaraDoesThings]

I'm so glad you made this video. I love Penguindrum and Ikuhara's works has fascinate me. It didn't look like anyone else was going to make this video, so I'm so grateful you did.

[@judojon2216]

This is legitimately my favorite anime related video on KZbin now! Ikuhara is my favorite anime director, and I adore every one of his original works so far. I cannot wait for Sarazanmai in 2019. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@Pikachugecko]

Thanks for the hard work over a year to put this together. I love Ikuhara as well, dating back to watching Penguindrum weekly. You have a very solid through-line of the major Ikuhara works and themes they go after- and a different view than I had in some cases. I hadn't even considered the systemic causes of problems.

[@PinkNymphetamine22]

This is an amazing video. I think Ikuhara's work has been a very important part of my personal growth as a writer and person, and this is the first time I've seen such a thorough analysis of the man himself and his work, the amount of time, work and passion you've put into this shines a lot. You've just earned a new subscriber here.

[@gingganggoolie]

brb, gonna go finish utena and penguindrum so i can watch this Edit: Watched 20 episodes of Utena and all of Penguindrum. This is incredible, thank you so much for all the time and effort you spent on this, it really shines through. You've really helped me appreciate Ikuhara in a new light. Just. My god. This is great!

[@Bashamo257]

Amazing video! Can we get an extra chapter for Sarazanmai? Kanba and Shouma don't just get their hair color and story beats from Campanella and Giovanni, their names are also derived from their counterpart's.

[@Elektrochoke]

1:05:17 I see Miki and kozue as childhood, with one not wanting to grow up and infantil, while Kozue wants to grow up fast. Nanami and toga are odolescense, in which Nanami ends up rejecting the incestuous relationship with his brother once it could become real, while Anthy and Akio are the dark, real, adult world, in which that archetypical relationship turns into violence and abuse.

[@Zozo_Rabbit]

First of all, thank you. Second, your breakdown of Penguindrum was super helpful. It makes SOOOOOOOOO much more sense now. I actually want to re-watch it with a far better understanding. :D

[@Zozo_Rabbit]

ALSO I have tried Ringo's apple and honey curry recipe and it's quite tasty.

[@Heartiel]

So, I finished watching this video. The way you discussed the themes really resonated with me on a personal level, I want to thank you for that. Your statements were very powerful. I was moved by your passion.

[@PavaniGanga]

Thank you! This is particularly helpful to people like myself whose first exposure to Ikuhara is Sarazanmai. So grateful to have this background. Best regards.

[@sachitechless]

Thank you for this video. I watched Penguindrum last year and while I loved it and knew there was something special, you've helped me properly appreciate some of the things that it did. You put so much effort into this video and I'm glad it showed up in my feed and I've shared it with Sailor Moon and Penguindrum friend fans. Everything in this just felt very well thought out and I could tell how much you love his works. Keep being awesome and I feel bad that even though I've watched a decent amount of your videos I hadn't subscribed till now cause holy hell you deserve it.

[@lisamoore1156]

Thank you so much for making this. I'm a big fan of Ikuhara’s work and I'm so happy and grateful you made this video to show off all these wonderful things he’s done and put into motion. Yurikuma is absolutely my favorite of his works since it inspired me to understand how and why I was Bi. The way you broke down the characters and themes were excellent and gave me a deeper appreciation for Ikuhara. Once again, thank you for putting so much love and effort into this long project. It's hands down one of your best. Love love.

[@annamnemonic]

thank you so much for this! ikuahara's work has been the most meaningful to me, ever since i saw the utena movie a decade and a half ago. a lot of this info i've read in bits over the years on now-defunct blogs, so having this video is an amazing resource. i learned a lot of new things from this as well. thank you again for your time to compile and create this!

[@anonarat]

So this video was absolutely incredible, both in terms of scale and analysis. At the very end, hearing about the influence Ikuhara had on you was has given the whole being visible/breaking out of boxes a lot more meaning to me. As someone who is cis, het, white and male, I fit very neatly into not needing to break out to be who I am, and hearing about it at the end of something like this shows me how deeply that it can affect people, and how those people need to hear it. It has taken me so long to comment on this is that this video is so long it was very daunting in terms of time commitment. I feel as though you might have been better served by breaking the chapters into separate videos and linking them together. Thank you for this, and the incredible dedication it took to make this.

[@Barron22222]

this is the good content i have been looking for

[@camichan19]

Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work.

[@ZeriaYT]

That's some high praise, thank you very much!

[@DefaultSeaTurtle]

Oh, this was astounding. Over 2 hours and then you even added timestamps. I'm honestly so glad I found you. This sort of content is...incredible.

[@MiDuWay]

Didn't think I'd watch this whole thing, considering I know nothing of Sailor Moon. Thankfully, the amount of depth and detail you went into kept me interested the whole way through. My first experience with Ikuhara was Penguindrum. Before then, I only ever paid attention to the name of the animation studios responsible for making any given show. After some analysis, Penguindrum became my favorite show. I searched for Ikuhara's other original works and made it my goal to watch and understand them. I firmly believe all of Ikuhara's works deserve at least one rewatch in order to receive the intended impact. I've watched Penguindrum 4 times now and I still cry. Thank you so much for making this video, and may Ikuhara blow us away once again with Sarazanmai next year.

[@namessudesu]

As an answer to your last minutes comments and as a new subscriber, I really loved this work and I'll go back to the rest of your material and look forward for more in the future. Ikuhara is a really special figure in my life as his work helped shape some of my troubling adolescence. It gave me a sort of hope for better things to come and this has shed new light into the rest of the puzzle behind his life and his work. Sorry for the long comment that will probably get overlooked, but I had to thank you for your effort. Keep it up!!!

[@golgarisoul]

The Black Rose Duelist arc is my favourite part of Utena.

[@georgiprenatt8270]

Mine too.

[@27_orange_lily]

This was honestly such an amazing video. I watched it all in one go and I can't thank you enough for making such an in-depth analysis of Ikuhara's work, especially Utena. Keep up the amazing work!

[@Robersora]

Now am at the end, fabulous work, congratulations. This video sorely lacked on KZbin and you've did Ikuhara justice.

[@donov25]

I've been a huge Ikuhara fan for years. This is the most comprehensive single analysis of his work I have seen. Very impressive.

[@anacondatiger]

Your comprehensive assessment of Kunihiko Ikuhara's work is awe inspiring and I commend you and all the people who contributed to this journey you went on. It echoes, at least for me, the similar impact his work has had on identity and growth. Keep up the wonderful work!

[@SamanthaFule]

Thanks for this video! It must have been a daunting amount of work. I was here for sailor moon, but made it all the way to the end of the video. You've helped me realize that what I found most likeable about sailor moon was from ikuhara's direction. As a creative who really enjoys narrative, ikuhara has had a big influence on me as a child growing up in the 90s without me realizing it. You've got a new subscriber from me!

[@HinagaMoizaf]

I'm late to the party, but I just wanted to say thank you so much for this! I've got a soft spot for Penguindrum, now that I'm older (I was prolly 12 when it first aired) & keen on any analysis (and or breakdown) I can come across : I'm excited to develop a deeper understanding & appreciation of Ikuhara's work.

[@JHVH]

Thank you for this!!

[@polaag91]

Holy shit,this.... I have no fucking words... just thank you.... I can't even. I'm gonna cry this video is perfect

[@Raggedylemon]

I miss your videos so much. This was a masterpiece

[@umor9014]

I would not say that the use of penguins is more throw away than the use of bears in YKA. Penguins live in argueably the most hostile environment towards warm-blooded animals, but they survive by grouping together to keep each other warm. So that the penguins at the sides do not suffer harder the penguins frequently circulate (which fits with the word Mawaru, meaning rotate, spin, make rounds and other such things from my google translate attempt) around. The theme of spinning in a circle that is hard to break out of and that sustains you, so breaking out is a bad idea is all over the show, with the broader themes and for example with the motive of the train or the passing around of the apple. The theme of warmth also connects with the flame. Penguins are also birds who lost their ability to fly due to adopting to such a harsh world, which is clearly fitting and also connects to the theme of the bird from Tabukis storyline. Basically the story is similar to a few young penguings getting expelled from the group, because their parents acted out against the rotations. The penguins try to keep each other warm but are not enough on their own, so not all survive.

[@ZeriaYT]

Ah yeah, I probably oversold how irrelevant they are, I just don't know that they're as key as in YKA since the entire conceit of YKA revolves(hehe) around them in a way that it doesn't for Penguindrum, where they're more purely metaphorical.

[@umor9014]

Yeah thats a fair point, the editing also suggested that it was more arbitrary in Utena, I just can not pass off an opportunity to praise Penguindrum, because I feel it is overlooked compared to Utena. Granted Yuri Kuma Arashi is probably even less appreciated, but it also did not connect to me as much and has more flaws imo so I am not as triggered. I know this is silly, especially since you said that you would argue that it is his best work, so sorry for nitpicking.

[@grungehamster]

Another element that blew my mind when I found out about it: the Japanese word for apple is Ringo, right? Hence why the supernatural sister is Momoka (lit. Peach Girl, with peaches being the fruit tied to the divine in much of Eastern religion) while her non-supernatural sister desperate to imitate her is Ringo (which the series itself points to the Abrahamic connotations of the fruit as being responsible for the fall of man). However the apple itself is portrayed as the Fruit of Destiny, embraced by both as a symbol for the Kiga Group (Kiga being Japanese word for penguin) and as what allowed the siblings shared to survive to the present day. Ringo is derived from the Chinese word for apple which is... píngguŏ. I have always been intensely curious whether the apple motif or penguin motif came first when creating the series but finding out that bit of trivia has made it seem much more intentional.

[@umor9014]

Nice, did not know the chinese connection. I definitively think it is intentional. As much as I and everyone else sometimes like to shit on lazy creators, most creators definitively put a lot of thought in there works and japanese ones also very often play with names/puns and Ikuhara is one of the creators I trust the most to have thought about his stuff.

[@marsirenas]

That a wonderfull comment you did here.

[@rena1331]

Ever since penguindrum ive been interested in Ikuhara. I'm very grateful of you to make everything i've been curious about extremely digestible. It was an extremely good watch and accompanied me while working on art !!

[@ThePrincessofPeaches]

This video was fantastic from start to finish, and just exemplifies why I love Ikuhara, as well as giving me so many new insights and perspectives on him and his works. I was introduced to him when I saw a panel at an anime convention back in 2012 that discussed the symbolism in Adolescence of Utena. My friend, who had seen the show, understood all of it, but I was hopelessly lost, which led me to eventually watch the show. It was life-altering for me. As a confused teen, it validated a lot of my feelings about systematic oppression and opened my eyes to cycles of abuse I had never even considered. I watched Yurikuma and Penguindrum a few years later, and they both had a similar effect. I thought it was interesting how you mention at the end that the themes in Ikuhara's works led to your own self-discovery, as it did for me, too. When I was young, I hated yuri for reasons I couldn't comprehend, but Utena completely changed my view. And although I was still very much confused about my sexuality, that, coupled with Yurikuma, slowly but surely made me come to terms with my own internalized lesbophobia, which is much of why Yurikuma resonates with me so much. In the past year, I've come to terms with the fact that I'm a lesbian, and on a rewatch of Yurikuma, I saw so much of myself in the themes of the show. It's comforting, in a sense, to know that you aren't alone. Truly, Ikuhara is and always will be my favorite anime director, and I recommend him to people every chance I get. I can't wait to see what he has planned next in his upcoming project.

[@beccas1364]

Christ alive, this is one exhaustively, beautifully crafted video. Not even 5 minutes in as I'm writing this right now and I've already got chills running down my back. The amount of effort that went into this is staggering. I love it already.

[@inukagloverful]

I'm so thankful I found this video! I love Ikuhara's work since I found Mawaru when I was in middle school. Something I would like to point out in your interpretation of the child broiler is that, while correct how the system makes children shadows of themselves, I think Ikuhara was going also with a really direct criticism to how Japan treats orphans. Their system, which I don't remember the name of, is like a type of care centers. The problem is that Japan's society is still a little closed off to adoption because of the Koseki, or family register, system. The children aren't related by blood, so most people are reluctant to adopt them. Because of this, orphan children grow up and enter society without knowing much and without a Koseki, which means they are invisible to society because they are on the bottom of the hierarchy. There is a documentary about this from 2011, I think. It's pretty good in giving most of the info about these centers and how it affects the children emotionally. Maybe I'm wrong but I think it's important to see how much the child broiler mirrors these events in real life.

[@TheTricksterCoyote]

This was sooo good! Thank you for making and sharing! I was so happy to hear you talk about the similarities in all the shows' endings. It is something I had noticed myself and I think is such an important message to share.

[@kassidylee27]

A super long Zeria video? Sign me up! Edit: This is such a good video! I watched it to the end and it was amazing! Keep doing great work no matter how long it is 😊

[@danniemiesse4643]

I heard Sarazanmai mentioned and for a moment was very confused why it was spoken of specutively - then noticed, holy cow, I've had this in my Watch Later list for a full 4+ years. Post secondary/the pandemic has wreaked havoc on my mind and memory. Damn. Great video; super interesting, and I've learned a ton about the purpose of several of these series that I didn't have the literary analysis skills and context to understand on my own. Thank you for making this.

[@danielleambroise8268]

Just finished watching this video (two years after you made it) and I think it’s really, really wonderful. I found it when I was in the middle of watching Utena (after having previously watched Sarazanmai, YKA, and Penguindrum) and the excitement of getting to watch this video as a conclusion honestly pushed me to finish Utena as quickly as possible. I greatly admire the amount of work you put into this and will absolutely watch more of your videos! Thank you for putting so much effort into this project; I know I appreciated it.

[@ajohn7249]

I'm so happy that someone put in the time to make a video about the director of my niche collection of favorite anime. You're doing great Zeria, I was hoping you'd do a video on Ikuhara since yuri is a big part of your content!

[@bloodmachine6049]

2 and a half hours, oh my. This is delightful, can't wait to watch the whole thing soon.This much about my favourite director, I'm delighted. EDIT: After Watching, this was utterly fantastic, thank you so much for making this, even beside stellar analysis, the research in this was brilliant and insightful, giving a lot of new perspective which I didn't have in regards to Ikuhara's works. Uterly amazing.

[@Quizoid]

I’m a long-time fan of Utena and Ikuhara’s work who has never made a KZbin work, but have wanted to make a long-form analysis of Utena, at least, for a long time. It makes me so happy someone has done this work. Ikuhara’s body of work is so deserving of deep analysis, and I’m very glad it’s happening.

[@salmonorangefish]

hello! i dont know if you'll ever read this but this video has to be the best breakdown and introduction of kunihiko ikuhara ive ever watched (twice first when you released the video and second today). thanks for the great and timeless (even without sarazanmai) writeup of one of the best visual anime directors!

[@claramello6282]

I finally got time to watch this and it's almost 2am and it was so worth it because this was such an incredible video that I'm at loss of words. It was so well researched with so much attention to every little detail and never letting anything go unoticed. The analisys were all great, as they all are in you videos, and everything was well tied together. The fact that you could do that just as well as focusing and talking indeep about everything that you could is just mind blowing. And the fact that someone put so much effort into making a passion project like this is just inspiring. I always tought you could turn out to be a big thing on youtube because you make great videos and continue to get better, but the fact that you have such a vision and determination to make different and inovative things that most people wouldn't have the courage to do, hell they wouldn't even be able to have such ideas, just shows how much potential you have. I have no doupt that you're going the acomplish alot, not only on youtube but in life, because people like you are rare and extremely valuable. And last but not least, thank you very much for making this video, really. It was just amazing.

[@mehlover]

This was an amazing video about Ikuhara. I thought I knew everything about him, but you shed so much more light, it's like you showed there's a second sun. Before I wasn't interested in Penguindrum for the longest time. But now knowing more about it from your video I'll actually check it out. I knew it was about family but I didn't know it commented on the problems with the system of capitalism. So I definitely have to check it out. This is the best comprehensive video essay about anime I have found in a good long time. It's probably the only one but I really like your video and definitely want to watch your past and future videos. Well done on your project! Also I seriously want to give you a hug after hearing that outro.

[@LummyLum]

This was so good to watch! I hope this gets all the recognition it deserves!

[@ladlergo]

Finally got back to this after getting derailed by many things, and I have to say that to even attempt what you did here is ridiculous, in the best way. Thanks for going so deeply into his early works and influences; I haven't seen that anywhere else. I will definitely be checking out Pastoral: To Die in the Country before my next viewing of the Black Rose arc.

[@BillErak]

Honestly, I found out about you a few days ago and then literally the next day you uploaded this. Took me a while to finish it but it's absolutely amazing. Great video.

[@astoldb]

This was an incredible examination of Ikuhara and his work. Simply brilliant. Thank you for making this and sharing it with us

[@LvnarNeko]

This was so awesome to watch!!! I never thought I'd watch an analysis video this long but you presented it so well that I couldn't help but keep watching!!!! It was absolutely amazing and I can't wait to see your future projects!!

[@Doominator10]

I'm only 12 minutes in right now, but I can't express just how appropriate the monogatari music is in this segment. Kudos

[@alchemyminiAMV]

I really needed to watch this. Bless you for making it. Somehow I have managed to come to love Ikuhara even more than I did previously and I really appreciated you taking the time and making the effort to really dive into his life and works. Thank you for making this.

[@sara-nn1fy]

i had this in my to watch list for a while cause i didnt want to watch it til i had finished all of the ikuhara anime AND IT WAS SO WORTH IT i enjoyed it so much and also learned a lot thank you so much for making this!!!

[@helgawhiteblue]

Thank you for your work, honey. The essay is gorgeously amazing. And your voice is so easy to listen, I love it! Good job.

[@lennsaturday5566]

Aw the outro! You did an amazing job and you should be super proud of all your hard work! :)

[@brontesaurusrex7235]

This was nothing short of amazing and I loved every second of it. Subscribed.

[@nipunividyarathne1965]

this was such a heartwarming analysis project. ikuhara's works also helped me learn more about my sexuality and it makes me so happy that we all treasure them together. i'm so glad it was you who decided to take this on seeing how knowledgable you are in the yuri genre i cant imagine anyone who could've done this better. this is probably one of my favourite videos ever, thank you so much zeria for your hard work!

[@lu-v]

I just want to thank you for the abominable and gorgeous work you've doen with this video, those were 2 and a half hours of complete bliss and awesomeness, I'll keep this video in my favs until the day yt goes down for sure!!

[@Sanasana-vk7fu]

Amazing, this analysis is so complete. Thanks for your hard work. Keep it up!!

[@elisashibuya9373]

Thank you for this video. I love Ikuhara's work so much and it was a great experience to watch your analysis of his work.

[@koloquials]

thank you so, so much for making this video. your dedication and thorough insight is astounding, and i wish there was more i could do than kicking you a few dollars and sharing this video with friends. please keep at it, you certainly have a new fan in me!

[@AbsoluteBreezy]

Currently still watching but I’m already loving this 20 minutes in ^_^ I can tell this was a project you’ve been passionate about and ready to share with the world and I’m happy it’s finally out now :)

[@poifan9584]

excellent job on this video, congratulations and thank you very much for sharing it!

[@huntercuddles]

I'm on my third watch of this video because it's just so good, thank you so much for making it.

[@oliveranderson928]

Your videos are amazing. I always get excited when I see a new one from you. You've also helped introduce me to new anime as well as sell me on shows that I had previously dismissed. I'm in a pretty bad financial situation right now, so I can't become a patron, but I'd love to in the future. Keep being amazing. I look forward to what you create in the future.

[@Stellar_Lake_sys]

yka was the only Ikuhara show I found gripping enough to watch all the way through in one try, so clearly we find different things engaging. Great video, tho. That 6 hours of editing collage sure was something, that was a productive use of an evening. Glad you finally got this out, can't wait for you to find something to make a 4 hour video on

[@kirara154]

you probably wouldnt read this... But thank you so much for making this video. I had learn a lot of new curious facts about Ikuhara. I really love him, its my favourite director too. I instantly fall in love with each proyect and... makes me think... His creations... for me... wow i cant find words to describe it, but you know what i mean haha. You you explained perfectly how i feel. Im completly in love with this video, its very uncommon to hear people talk about ikuhara, and more with a deep investigation like you. Congratulations, this is the best Ikuhara´s documentary that anyone could made and... tank you for teach about Ikuhara´s world.

[@omegajyj2732]

why such a great analyzation of all Ikuhara-sensei works and his career have so low number of views.... i enjoyed every second of it, tho english is not my native language and it was pretty hard for me to watch. you've done amazing work.

[@JimFaindel]

Thank you so much for the passion poured into this, and into your entire channel. It is easy in this day and age to close one-self to others' voices, to others' perspectives, but the fact that somehow I was able to find you and your work, despite how different our views and even ourselves may be, and because of it grow richer in so many ways I hadn't even thought possible, are a testament to how great and how important your hours, days and months of effort have been, how courageous you've had to be in order to put your work and yourself out there in the first place. Thank you and please keep up the great work. If this was part zero, then I can't wait to see part one.

[@NykowPalalum]

Just finished watching it. That was really good, definitely your best video yet! And now you made me want to watch the movies from this Terayama guy.

[@clairetulpa5254]

It seems this video happened in a relevant time for it. The execution of Shoko Asahara relates heavily to this subject matter, and I’m glad to have the context for the news that this provides.

[@VixenLovelove]

WHAT WHY DOESNT THIS HAVE A 100 THOUSAND VEIWS AT LEAST!!!! This is art!

[@iforinsignificant]

What a wonderful video! I can't imagine the amount of work it would have taken. Brilliant job! On the topic of Sailor Moon, I barely got through the first 2 seasons wondering why a few episodes here and there were good but mostly extremely average but I pushed through because of the promise of HaruMichi. I'm so glad I did. S was my favorite, the improvement in every aspect was obvious from the start and I loved every episode! I'll be sure to pay more attention to episode directors from now on. Thank you so much for this video.

[@clairetulpa5254]

Your work is inspiring. Thank you for making what you have made.

[@mrirnart]

Over 2 hours of video?! What a delight!

[@sassy_sasarai4090]

Bruh, you did a really good job on this. Very interesting and informative.

[@xochitlbriones1852]

This is the first video from you I've seen and it's everything I've wanted. Subscribed!

[@pocepocemin867]

I do care. And Ikuhara's Utena had a great impact on me. Thank you for this great project

[@m4n1sky]

when i found your channel i felt like i found a mine of gold i can binge into

[@maurice1116]

Dude this video is extremely well made and edited.

[@foxpurrincess3209]

HOLY SHIT DUDE THIS IS GONNA TAKE ME WEEKS THANK YOU! I respect your opinions so highly, and I love how much thought you put into each and every one of your videos. There's not a single point you make that you haven't thought out and researched thoroughly, in a community so often dominated by "your waifu is shit" petty arguments.

[@miteruno]

I loved this video. The only comment I'm don't necessarily agree is when comparing the animation of Penguindrum with Yurikuma and stating that the former had higher production values. WIth Yurikuma, characters almost always stay on model. The backgrounds are technically impressive and stylistically charming. Panjandrum can look very rough sometimes. Yurikuma is always very polished.

[@butterbubbles5375]

I love Mawaru Penguindrum, and Is studied it a lot. I’m really impressed in your passion and I’m glad you were able to shine the spotlight in the amazingness that is the show.

[@Takumi_Did_Nothing_Wrong]

I am SO proud of you! Making a two-hour long video is a very hard feat, especially for a relatively unknown KZbinr. This is actually the first time I've watched a two-hour long KZbin video that isn't a film, and I believe it was worth it because you put so much blood, sweat, and tears into it and I learned a lot from it. I feel like I understand Ikuhara and his works a lot better now. And it was such perfect timing too because of Ikuhara's next anime coming out next year. Speaking of Sarazanmai, am I the only one getting a BL vibe from it? Considering the subject matter Ikuhara delved into in the past, it wouldn't be farfetched to believe that Sarazanmai will criticize the yaoi genre, which I believe is far behind yuri in how it generally portrays homosexual relationships. I sincerely hope it's a BL anime, as I am a gay man myself, and since this Ikuhara we're talking about and MAPPA, the same studio behind Yuri On Ice, one of the better portrayals of homosexual male romance, I don't think it would be any ordinary BL anime. Of course, nothing is confirmed except that the name is Sarazanmai and the two main characters are men. Despite my hopes, I wouldn't care if it wasn't BL; I'm just happy that it's another Ikuhara project and can't wait to watch it.

[@ZeriaYT]

Definitely seems like it'll be BL to me!

[@optimisticDuelist]

I...kuhara is putting out a new show? One that seems more BL focused? I have to be dreaming, life can't be this good this quickly. Oh my god

[@Takumi_Did_Nothing_Wrong]

optimistic Duelist I wouldn't get my hopes up though. I'm only speculating that it's BL. I want Ikuhara to do a BL anime because I feel like he would breathe new life into a cliché-ridden genre, but none of the information we have about the show so far necessarily points towards it being BL. However, since I'm a big Ikuhara fanboy, I wouldn't care if it is BL or not because he's a great director anyway. His shows are good regardless if they meet all my expectations or not.

[@optimisticDuelist]

Bahahahaha, thank you, but that was a pretty funny suggestion to me. I'm a hardcore Homestuck in 2018. Hope's pretty much literally my brand :P We agree completely, though! Ikuhara would be an amazing breath of fresh air to anime BL (which I PRETTY MUCH ignore besides everyones favorite animes, Homestuck and Hunter x Hunter), but literally no matter what he does I'll be delighted to see it. He's just that good.