The main promotional video for the TV anime series "Hidari-Hiki no Ellen," based on Kappei's manga that has also been adapted into a TV drama, has been released on YouTube. The video depicts Koichi's life taking a major turn after meeting Ellen, as he aspires to be a designer, while Ellen aspires to be a painter. The video also captures Koichi's struggles and search for new ideas as he grows through his relationships with talented and unique creators.
The theme song artists were also announced, with the music project "ALI" performing the opening theme (OP) "FUNKIN' BEAUTIFUL feat. ZORN" and creator Murasaki Kon performing the ending theme (ED) "New Walk." Both songs were unveiled in the main promotional video.
Ahead of the advance screening of episodes 1 to 3, which will begin on March 27th, a stage greeting to commemorate the advance screening will be held at Kino Cinema Shinjuku (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) on March 15th. Shoya Chiba, who plays Asakura Koichi, Yumi Uchiyama, who plays Yamagishi Ellen, and original author Kappei will appear on stage to talk about their thoughts on the work and behind-the-scenes stories from the production. A special postcard set featuring an original illustration by Kappei will be distributed as a gift exclusively to attendees of the stage greeting.
"Hidari-Hiki no Ellen" is a popular online series that has racked up a total of approximately 250 million pageviews and a total of over 3.9 million copies of the comics in circulation. Set in the world of creatives, it depicts the struggles and discouragements of Koichi, an ordinary man who dreams of becoming something despite struggling with the limitations of his own talent, and Ellen, a solitary genius who is tormented by his overwhelming talent. Koichi, who chose the path of a designer, encounters seasoned creatives in the advertising industry, while Ellen, who has plunged into the global art scene, encounters extraordinary artists.
The anime will be directed by Toshimasa Suzuki, known for "Fafner in the Azure: Heaven and Earth," and produced by Signal MD and Production IG. It will be broadcast on TV Tokyo from midnight on April 7th.
◇Comment from LEO of "ALI"
I'll be doing the opening theme for the TV anime series "Hidarikiki no Ellen" with my beloved rapper ZORN! Last year, I lost my home, so for three months I lived in a temporary four-and-a-half-tatami room with only an acoustic guitar, and just like any artist who strives to reach even the slightest height, I took on the challenge. I've envied and hated the world and people a lot.
And the thing I can't forgive and hate the most is myself (I had to go to the public bath to take a bath, spend and pay money, get into trouble and argue, and I thought of myself as an ugly creature with no point in living).
In the midst of all this, even in a life that seems like an abyss of paranoia, the words and songs that came to mind were funkin' beautiful, encompassing anger, beauty and resignation all in one!
I was so happy from the time I came up with the idea until it was all completed (a record will also be released!), it was like all the darkness in the world was cleared away. I was so happy to have made one step towards my dream of someday writing a song with ZORN come true, and it's such a masterpiece that I want it to be played as the last thing I hear when I die (ZORN's full version is also amazing, so look forward to it).
I loved Hidari-Hiki no Ellen, so when I heard about the role, I decided that I wanted to make a story that, like Koichi, Ellen, and Akari, was something that was reached by living one's life to the fullest. And from now until the day we die, we will continue to live beautifully, thirsting, hungry in the sad world of expression, art, and entertainment.
FUNKIN' BEAUTIFUL
Ellen, can you laugh?
Ah, long live music! Long live all those who failed to become geniuses! Long live Left-Handed Ellen!
◇Comment from Shikon
This is Murasaki Kon. I am truly honored to have been involved in the ending theme for "Hidari-Hikiki no Ellen," a series that has supported me throughout my life. As an artist and creator, I have felt a connection with both Ellen and Koichi at times, and I have been encouraged by the way they lived their lives many times. "New Walk," which I wrote specifically for this show, is a retrospective-like song that affirms and loves Ellen's life, devoting everything to art and constantly battling loneliness, as well as the life she didn't choose. Please look forward to the broadcast.
