Looking to capitalize on the growing TV animation market, one of Japan’s leading entertainment companies is entering into a production pact with animation house Production I.G. First out of the box will be an all-new animated TV series Le Chevalier D’Eon.
The gothic mystery series is to be directed by acclaimed director Kazuhiro Furuhashi (Zipang, Get Backers, Rurouni Kenshin) from an original story by Tow Ubukata (Fafner, Mardock Scramble), who is also story supervisor. The series will premiere in summer 2006 on WOWOW in Japan.
The story centers on knight D’Eon de Beaumont, a handsome intellectual who lived in the 18th century, just prior to the French Revolution. D’Eon was a diplomat who traveled to various countries under the French king’s command. His most unique trait was that he managed to pass himself off as a woman. The core of the story is based on the mysterious hero and the historical facts.
‘I chose to direct the work because I was pleased that I was offered a chance to make an original series,’ says Furuhashi. ‘I also liked the fact that it is one of the very few historical animation stories that has been created. I’m trying to make a good balance between the reality of the historical facts and the expressive stylization of animation. I’m confident that it will have a major impact which audiences have never before experienced.’
Shochiku’s animation division, which was created in 2004, has completed several animated TV series and OVA animation such as Grenadier, Karas, Mask of Glass and Aria.
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