History Creator / KunihikoIkuhara

* DreamTeam: He would like to collaborate with DavidLynch. Just...[[{{MindScrew}} think about that for a second.]]

* InTheNameOfTheMoon: Creator of the trope namer, shows up in other, non-MagicalGirl contexts as well ("Grant me the power to Revolutionize the world" from ''Utena'' or "Imagine!" from ''Penguindrum''). See TransformationSequence.

* ''NodameCantabile'' (opening)

* TrollingCreator: Big time!
--> '''Interviewer:''' Ikuhara-san, Chiho Saito has said that you have never told her the truth about it, could you explain the significance of Mickey and his stopwatch. What exactly is his role on the Council?
--> '''Ikuhara:''' It has a very deep significance. His stopwatch contains the key to open all the mysteries of the world. And Mickey is the only one who knows that. [[ShrugOfGod So I don't know what it is either]].
** Completely averted with The Adolescence of Utena, as Ikuhara provides a (for Ikuhara) reasonable explanation for all the bizarre symbolism.

* ShrugOfGod: One of his most defining traits. Not only do his answers rarely make sense at all, they also occasionally contradict each others.

* {{Jossed}}: Often looked to by fans for answers, often takes gleeful delight in disappointing them.
* LyingCreator: Possibly, when asked about ''Utena''.
** Probably the best example is his response via {{Twitter}} to people asking about ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'':
---> All of you have enjoyed making your predictions. Now, I'll tell you the truth. Yes. Just as all of you have predicted all along: [[BlatantLies the Penguindrum is a pink washing machine.]]

* ExecutiveMeddling: While he was relatively independent with ''Utena'', the producers only allowed him to produce ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'' when he made it more accessible. He added PluckyComicRelief in [[EverythingIsBetterWithPenguins form of three penguins]].
* FanNickname: Ikuni. He even uses it himself.

* DoingItForTheArt: Why he's had barely any involvement since ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' until ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'' since he's difficult to work with due to heavy creative differences between him and the executives.

** There was a small chance in the late 90s that he and HideakiAnno could have done a collaboration. Ultimately ruined because Anno got fed up with directing anime after KareKano and retired from directing for a couple of years. Ikuhara turned down any commercial offer from Creator/ToeiAnimation and virtually became a PersonaNonGrata due to his [[{{Understatement}} difficult behavior]] - for more than a decade until ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum''.

Kunihiko Ikuhara (born December 21, 1964) is a Japanese [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} eccentric]] and anime auteur. He is basically the Creator/DavidLynch of shōjo, most famous for directing the TV series ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' and its movie ''The Adolescence of Utena'', plus the first four seasons of ''Anime/SailorMoon'' (directed several episodes in the first season, and became the series director for the ''R'', ''S'', and ''[=SuperS=]'' seasons) as well as the ''R'' movie, and the Creator/MamoruOshii of TV anime. Also notoriously evasive about giving straight answers to his more surreal works. ''Anime/KanashimiNoBelladonna'' has been cited as an influence of his, which is quite easily seen in ''Utena''.

* DoingItForTheArt: Why he's had barely any involvement since ''RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' until ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'' since he's difficult to work with due to heavy creative differences between him and the executives.

* ''AoiHana'' (opening)

** Ikuhara [[http://17th-angel.tumblr.com/post/42052509118/all-about-nagisa-kaworu-a-child-of-the jested that Kaworu]] of ''Evangelion'' might be inspired by him and a similar event he shared with Anno in an onsen, fueling [[MemeticMutation the fantasy]] of their fans.

** Ikuhara [[http://17th-angel.tumblr.com/post/42052509118/all-about-nagisa-kaworu-a-child-of-the jested that Kaworu]] of ''Evangelion'' might be inspired by him and a similar event [[HoYay he shared with Anno in an onsen]], fueling [[MemeticMutation the fantasy]] of their fans.
* SexIsEvil: Heavily played with in his works. The most explicit depiction of sex in ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'' also plays with BondageIsBad.

** Completely averted with The Adolescence of Utena, as Ikuhara provides a (for Ikuhara) resonalbe explonation for all the bizarre symbolism.

Kunihiko Ikuhara (born December 21, 1964) is a Japanese [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} eccentric]] and anime auteur. He is basically the Creator/DavidLynch of shōjo, most famous for directing the TV series ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' and its movie ''The Adolescence of Utena'', plus the first four seasons of ''Anime/SailorMoon'' (directed several episodes in the first season, and became the series director for the ''R'', ''S'', and ''[=SuperS=]'' seasons) as well as the ''R'' movie. Also notoriously evasive about giving straight answers to his more surreal works. ''Anime/KanashimiNoBelladonna'' has been cited as an influence of his, which is quite easily seen in ''Utena''.

* DoingItForTheArt: Why he's had barely any involvement since ''RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' until ''MawaruPenguindrum'' since he's difficult to work with due to heavy creative differences between him and the executives.

** There was a small chance in the late 90s that he and HideakiAnno could have done a collaboration. Ultimately ruined because Anno got fed up with directing anime after KareKano and retired from directing for a couple of years. Ikuhara turned down any commercial offer from Creator/ToeiAnimation and virtually became a PersonaNonGrata due to his [[{{Understatement}} difficult behavior]] - for more than a decade until MawaruPenguindrum.

* SexIsEvil: Heavily played with in his works. The most explicit depiction of sex in MawaruPenguindrum also plays with BondageIsBad.

* ''[[Anime/KingyoChuihou Goldfish Warning]]''

Kunihiko Ikuhara (born December 21, 1964) is a Japanese [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} eccentric]] and anime auteur. He is basically the Creator/DavidLynch of shōjo, most famous for directing the TV series ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' and its movie ''The Adolescence of Utena'', plus the first four seasons of ''Anime/SailorMoon'' (directed several episodes in the first season, and became the series director for the ''R'', ''S'', and ''[=SuperS=]'' seasons) as well as the ''R'' movie. Also notoriously evasive about giving straight answers to his more surreal works. ''KanashimiNoBelladonna'' has been cited as an influence of his, which is quite easily seen in ''Utena''.

* EveryoneIsBi: [[IncrediblyLamePun Played straight]] in most of his works, most excessively in ''Utena''. Graduates into the straight-up [[CastFullOfGay Everyone Is Lesbian]] in ''Anime/YuriKumaArashi''.

-->''This is just between you and me, but when I was fourteen, I saw a UFO.''
-->''That UFO telepathically told me this prophecy: '''"When you grow up, you will direct an anime about girls revolutionizing various things."'''''
-->''Surely you jest.''
-->'''''"You must not tell anyone about me. If you ever do..."'''''
-->''Wh-What will happen to me?''
-->'''''"People will call you a sketchy guy."'''''

* OddFriendship: One of his closer friends is none other than NeonGenesisEvangelion creator Creator/HideakiAnno, whose introverted personality stands in harsh contrast to the flamboyant Ikuhara.

** Ikuhara [[http://17th-angel.tumblr.com/post/42052509118/all-about-nagisa-kaworu-a-child-of-the jested that Kaworu]] of NeonGenesisEvangelion might be inspired by him and a similar event [[HoYay he shared with Anno in an onsen]], fueling [[MemeticMutation the fantasy]] of their fans.

* EveryoneIsBi: [[IncrediblyLamePun Played straight]] in most of his works, most excessively in ''Utena''.

* GainaxEnding: Could as well be called the ''Ikuhara Ending''.

Another of his works, ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'', aired from July to December 2011 as part of that year's [[Summer2011Anime summer anime lineup]]. His latest project, ''Anime/YuriKumaArashi'', is currently airing as part of the [[Winter2015Anime Winter 2015 season]].

-->''That UFO telepathically told me this prophecy:'''"When you grow up, you will direct an anime about girls revolutionizing various things."'''''

Another of his works, ''Anime/MawaruPenguindrum'', aired from July to December 2011 as part of that year's [[Summer2011Anime summer anime lineup]]. His next project, ''Anime/YuriKumaArashi'', was announced in March 2013; the manga is currently being serialised by Comic Birz, and the anime will begin airing as part of the [[Winter2015Anime Winter 2015 season]].