{"rewrite":{"id":"r_3eaed6071c81a24be19f9cb4","clusterId":"c_abef375999ec1722613a7071","slug":"new-project-jigoku-korin-launches-with-hiroko-utsumi-character-designs","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"New Project 'Jigoku Korin' Launches With Hiroko Utsumi Character Designs","summary":"On June 4, 2026, a new project titled 'Jigoku Korin' (Hell's Descending Ring) was announced, with Hiroko Utsumi, known for directing 'Free!', 'BANANA FISH', and 'SK∞ the Infinity', handling original character designs. A teaser PV featuring a Japanese aesthetic BGM and male characters in kimono was released. Updates will be posted on official X and YouTube channels.","whyItMatters":"The project marks Hiroko Utsumi's first original character design work outside her directorial roles, and the teaser's aesthetic suggests a period or supernatural setting.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eHiroko Utsumi, best known as the director of 'Free!', 'BANANA FISH', and 'SK∞ the Infinity', is providing original character designs for a new project called 'Jigoku Korin' (Hell's Descending Ring). The project was announced on June 4, 2026, alongside a teaser PV that shows multiple male characters in kimono set to a Japanese aesthetic BGM. The teaser's atmosphere is deliberately mysterious, with no details yet on format-whether anime, game, or other media. The project has launched an official YouTube channel and TikTok account, and further updates will be shared on X.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Hiroko Utsumi's character designs for 'Jigoku Korin' signal a shift from her usual school and urban settings into period-inspired costume drama.","twitterPost":"Hiroko Utsumi's 'Jigoku Korin' character designs trade her usual modern settings for kimono and Japanese aesthetics.","threadsPost":"Hiroko Utsumi is best known for high school swim clubs, street skateboarding, and New York crime. Her new project 'Jigoku Korin' swaps all that for kimono, kanji, and a teaser that leans entirely on Japanese traditional atmosphere. The PV reveals nothing about plot or cast, only mood.","newsletterBlurb":"A new project called 'Jigoku Korin' has launched with original character designs by Hiroko Utsumi, director of 'Free!' and 'BANANA FISH'. A teaser PV shows male characters in kimono with a Japanese aesthetic soundtrack. The format of the project has not been specified yet.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/010/G101096/20260528046/\",\"title\":\"New Project \\\"Jigoku Korin\\\" Launches with Character Designs by Hiroko Utsumi of \\\"Free!\\\" Fame; Mysterious PV with Japanese Aesthetic Released\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4223,"outputTokens":609,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1780568422,"createdAt":"2026-06-04T10:12:17.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-06-04T10:16:19.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-04T10:16:19.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_abef375999ec1722613a7071","canonicalTitle":"「Free!」の内海紘子氏がキャラクター原案を担当する新作プロジェクト「地獄降輪」が始動。和風の情趣を感じさせるミステリアスなPVを公開","representativeArticleId":"a_7a41e15c61dcc02ef37d8017","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Jigoku Korin\"],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[\"Hiroko Utsumi\"],\"type\":\"announcement\",\"domain\":\"anime\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-06-04T09:30:00.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-06-04T09:30:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-04T10:16:20.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/010/G101096/20260528046/","title":"「Free!」の内海紘子氏がキャラクター原案を担当する新作プロジェクト「地獄降輪」が始動。和風の情趣を感じさせるミステリアスなPVを公開"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Jigoku Korin"],"studios":[],"people":["Hiroko Utsumi"],"type":"announcement","domain":"anime","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Hiroko Utsumi, director of 'Free!', 'BANANA FISH', and 'SK∞ the Infinity', is providing original character designs for a new project called 'Jigoku Korin' (Hell's Descending Ring).","The project was announced on June 4, 2026, with a teaser PV showing multiple male characters in kimono set to Japanese aesthetic BGM.","No details have been revealed on whether 'Jigoku Korin' will be an anime, game, or other media format.","The project has launched official YouTube and TikTok accounts, with updates to be shared on X."]}