The Creatures From Planet 66 ～Roppongi Hills Story～ (partially found promotional animation for Roppongi Hills featuring Takashi Murakami characters; 2003)
A screenshot from the animation.
Status: Partially Found
The Creatures From Planet 66 ~ Roppongi Hills Story ~ is a partially found anime short produced by Takashi Murakami and Kaikai Kiki Co. Takashi Murakami created a set of characters known as The Creatures from Planet 66 for the opening of Roppongi Hills, Japan. Debuting in 2003, the characters: Yoshiko, Yuko, Pi-Chan, Myan Myan, Poyoyon, Spica, Masamune and Cherry[1] were featured in artwork, events and merchandise. Though they do not appear as often as they used to, Takashi Murakami's artwork still appears in Roppongi Hills to this day.
Development
Unfortunately, the details of The Creatures From Planet 66 ～Roppongi Hills Story～'s production has not been well documented on the internet. However, it is known that Toei Animation produced the short and Mamoru Hosoda directed it under the supervision of Takashi Murakami. The animation utilized 3D computer animation. The late Ryuchi Sakamoto composed the music with Tsuyoshi Takashiro as his producer.[2]
Availability
The full short was featured in The 29th International Film Festival at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. The World of Mamoru Hosoda was the exposé in which this short and other animations were presented. [3]
A 15-second commercial featuring footage from the animation was uploaded to YouTube in January of 2011.[4] The date shown, "4/25" advertises the public opening of Roppongi Hills.
Additionally, another 15-second advertisement for the Mori Art Museum was posted on May 6, 2009. It presents "Mamu," the aliens' mothership, landing atop of a skyscraper.[5] Pi-Chan can be heard exclaiming "Mama!" which references Takashi Murakami's art piece, Mamu Came from the Sky.
The short film was featured in a compilation of Kaikai Kiki productions titled: The Complete Works of Takashi Murakami & Kaikai Kiki Video Edition. It was screened in Tollywood in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo from May 2, 2009 to May 22, 2009. According to the article, previous showings of The Creatures From Planet 66 ～Roppongi Hills Story～ were met with high praise and a long round of applause.[6] Unfortunately, no bootleg recordings of the show have surfaced.
A pop-up cafe based around Takashi Murakami's artworks named "Ohana Cafe" was open from December 28, 2015 to January 31, 2016.[7] A news report by independent station Tokyo MX shows video footage of the cafe with the animation being played in the background.[8] Both the station and Murakami have close ties due to the mascot, Yume Lion, being designed by him.
Gallery
More from Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd
- Nobody Dies (partially found Japanese film; 2008) [NSFW]
- Kaikai & Kiki (partially found Japanese animations featuring Takashi Murakami characters; 2007-2008)
- Jellyfish Eyes 2 (partially found cancelled sequel to "Jellyfish Eyes"; 2012)
References
- ↑ Roppongi Hills Mascot: The Story of the Six-Six Retrieved 31 July '23
- ↑ Origins of the Auteur 1999-2003 (Hosoda's short works) Retrieved 30 July '23
- ↑ The World of Mamoru Hosoda flyer Retrieved 31 July '23
- ↑ Roppongi Hills Commercial Retrieved 31 July '23
- ↑ Roppongi Hills Mori Art Museum Commercial Retrieved 31 Oct '23
- ↑ (Screenings: Part 3) Roppongi Hills Creatures from Planet 66 Retrieved 2 August '23
- ↑ A cafe and gallery where you can enjoy Takashi Murakami's masterpiece "Flowers" appears in Roppongi Hills - food, goods, furniture Retrieved 31 July '23
- ↑ For a limited time, Takashi Murakami's "Flower Cafe" opens Retrieved 31 July '23