Hiroshi Utsumi Designs Characters for 'Jigoku Korin' Project Combining Bicycle and Hell Tour
Hiroshi Utsumi — director of beloved anime such as Free! and Given — now presents a completely different project: Jigoku Korin. The new IP project combines the famous bicycle race Beppu Keirin of Beppu City in Oita Prefecture with the region's legendary tourist attraction Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour). The project was officially announced in 2024 through a collaboration between Pictoria and the Beppu City Public Enterprise Bureau.
Utsumi is handling the initial sketches (character outlines) for the character designs in this project. The artist, who debuted with Free! and also served as animation director on works like Banana Fish and Mob Psycho 100, now brings cyclist characters together with a hell-themed aesthetic. The visual world of the project is expected to reflect both the speed of Keirin races and the mystical atmosphere of the hell hot springs.
Beppu Keirin is known as one of Japan's most prestigious cycling tracks, while Jigoku Meguri is a tour route consisting of seven natural "hell" ponds in the city. Blending these two cultural elements with anime-style characters brings fresh life to both manga/anime fans and the region's tourism promotion. Although the official release date of the project has not been finalized, it is rumored that initial visuals and perhaps a short film are on the way.
Hiroshi Utsumi's involvement in this kind of local culture-IP partnership stands out as part of Japan's increasingly common regional anime promotion projects. Having previously brought a tourist influx to the Iwami region with Free!, Utsumi may create a similar effect for Beppu. In the coming months, we expect more details about the project's website, character introductions, and possible merchandise. This unique combination could be a collaboration not to be missed for both cycling and anime enthusiasts.
