Yurikuma Arashi (2015)

From https://kiddtic.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/yuri-kuma-header.jpg

Director: Kunihiko Ikuhara

Screenplay: Kunihiko Ikuhara and Takayo Ikami

(Voice) Cast: Miho Arakawa (as Ginko Yurishiro); Nozomi Yamane (as Kureha Tsubaki); Yoshiko Ikuta (as Ruru Yurigazaki); Ami Koshimizu (as Konomi Yurikawa); Aoi Yūki (as Mitsuko Yurizono); Aya Endo (as Reia Tsubaki); Junichi Suwabe (as Life Sexy); Kazutomi Yamamoto (as Life Beauty); Kikuko Inoue (as Yuri-Ka Hakonaka); Mariya Ise (as Eriko Oniyama); Mitsuki Saiga (as Life Cool);

A 1000 Anime Crossover

Abstract Spectrum: Fantastique/Surreal

Abstract Rating (High/Medium/Low/None): Medium

After Mawaru Penguindrum (2011),  my introduction to Kunihiko Ikuhara with only his reputation to fed off was an immense, rewarding experience in itself over twenty four episodes. With only twelve episodes here, his follow up Yurikuma Arashi is literally about lesbian bears, a fairytale of love between woman and bear woman that has an almost naive, sincere message of tolerance against homophobia, but something you stay for with its pop surreal artistry and exaggerated, light hearted tone even with serious subject matter like peer pressure and finding one's identity.

Whilst not as surreal as Penguindrum, trying to devalue Yurikama as just an "normal" project for Kunihiko Ikuhara  is absurd considering Ikuhara's worldview is fairytale, bright coloured fantasy with an elasticity to the world, metaphor not only standing in for character emotions but becoming the scenery being said characters. He's a director, alongside the creative team and animators that work on this sort of show, who is blatant in his symbolism but manages to get away with it from the elegance of his aesthetic style, a gorgeousness matched with open eccentricity that's emotionally awarding.

For the full review of this series, follow the link to my other blog 1000 Anime HERE. 

From http://i.imgur.com/FYnIfFW.jpg