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Ikuhara Apologizes for Timing, Phrasing of New Name Announcement

music project.

"We made the announcement on March 31 because it was the same day that the press release was issued. There was no other meaning behind it. However, I later learned that the timing of the tweet lacked consideration, and that it caused misunderstanding that upset and hurt many people. I could not have imagined that this would happen. I am truly sorry," Ikuhara wrote. "I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable, even if it was not my intention. I will be careful from now on."

The earlier Tweets hinting at the announcement were deleted.

Ikuhara adopted the moniker "Bonsoir Ikuhara" as part of a music project with previous collaborators Sarazanmai's Sara Azuma) to form the group Teiko BonBon. Ikuhara is serving as the group's music producer, Teiko will perform the vocals, and Suzuki will direct the music.

The group's first album Kimi no Seishun wa Kagayaite Iru ka will be released on June 8 with two alternate album jackets with art by Kei Mochizuki. Teiko will cover nine songs selected by Ikuhara with the theme of "fighting girls." The track selection includes songs from Sakura Wars

Ikuhara has previously adopted pseudonyms in the past to represent his animation projects. For example, the original story for Sarazanmai is credited to "Ikunirappa," the original story for Penguindrum is credited to "Ikunichauda," and Yuri Kuma Arashi is attributed to "Ikunigomamonaka."

Ikuhara's Sumire Uesaka plays the new character Purin-Chu-Penguin.

Ikuhara announced at the 2020 New York Comic Con Metaverse for the Revolutionary Girl Utena series that he is "working on [his] next work right now."