Ippei KURI

Born in Kyôto in 1940, Ippei KURI stopped studying in 1958. Dreaming of becoming a ukiyo-e artist, he left to Tôkyô with his brother Kenji YOSHIDA. In 1959, he started working as a mangaka with Abare Tengu, a one-shot story, and signed his first series, Z Boy, that were published by Shueisha.

In 1962, he founded the animation studio Tatsunoko Production with his brothers Tatsuo YOSHIDA and Kenji YOSHIDA. In 1977, Tatsunoko Production created the subsidiary Anime Friend, managed by Ippei KURI. This same year, he loses his brother Tatsuo, who dies of a liver cancer.

Ten years later, he succeeded to his brother Kenji YOSHIDA and started to manage Tatsunoko Production, thus becoming the 3rd president of the studio. In 2005, the studio is bought by Takara and the brothers quit the company.

Tatsunoko Production is one of the first and more influential studios in the domain of animation. It used breakthrough technologies in the anime production, and also set creators who are now at the forefront of their specialty, on the road to fame. Since its creation, Tatsunoko Production dabbled in every genre, and its animeare appreciated in the whole world, by all generations.

Famous for his work, Ippei KURI has been rewarded several times. In October 2007, he got a prize of honor from the city of Kôbe and in March 2009, a prize of honor from the 8th Tokyo Anime Fair. He is currently an invited professor at Nihonmatsu school.

A word from the artist:

“After I retired, I really wanted to come back to pure creation […] enjoying the creation of Yon Koma short stories, inspired by various aspects of the daily life. I am still happy to show my work in exhibits, or to talk during conferences.”

Manga

• Abare Tengu
• Judo Boy
• Mach Sanshirô 
• Oozora no chikai
• Z Boy

Animation

• Gatchaman (Kagaku Ninjatai Gacchaman - producer)
  One of the most renowned stories of Tatsunoko Pro., with 205 released episodes and a big success in Europe and in the USA. The five-heroes team easily conquered its audience, and had a considerable influence on following superhero Japanese series (sentai) and on children’s programs.
• Judo Boy (Kurenai Sanshirô - creator, director, stage director)
  Sanshirô’s father, creator of a new fight’s style, is killed during a duel. Sanshirô goes looking for his father’s murderer. His courage and devotion make him an example for everyone.
• Mach Go Go Go (Mahha GoGoGo, 1997 – chara-designer, artistic director, main theme writer)
  A brilliant driver, Speed Racer, drives a Mach 5, a car equipped of seven secret gadgets. He speeds through the world and earns everyone’s admiration. This story involves racing, romanticism and suspense.
• Hutch the bee (Konchû Monogatari Minashigo Hacchi – stage director, managing director) 
  Following a wasps attack that destroyed his home, Hutch goes looking for his mother, the Queen of Bees, from who he got separated during the disaster. Throughout his adventures, he will become stronger and even more courageous.

And also...

• Animentary (Animentarii - general director, animator)
• Robinfuddo no Daibôken (animation producer)
• Casshan (Shinzô Ningen Kyashân - producer)
• Demetan Croaker (Kerokko Demetan - producer)
• Gold Lightan Gold Warrior (Gôrudo Raitan – chara-designer)
• Judo Boy (Kurenai Sanshirô - creator, director)
• Mach Go Go Go (Mahha GoGoGo, 1997 – chara-designer, artistic director)
• The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee (Konchû Monogatari Minashigo Hacchi - director)
• Mokku of the Oak Tree (Kashi no Ki Mokku - producer)
• Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (Kagaku Ninjatai Gacchaman - producer)
• Space Ace (Uchû Êsu - screenwriter, producer, chara-designer, director)
• Speed Racer (Mahha GoGoGo, 1967 - director)
• Super Durand (Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman - project)
• Tekkaman: The Space Knight (Uchû no kishi tekkaman - producer, director)
• Tekkaman Blade/Teknoman (Uchû no kishi tekkaman burêdo - producer)
• Time Bokan (Taimu Bokan Shirîzu - producer)
• Zillion (Akai kôdan Jirion - producer)