Captivated by the Beautiful Expressions of Okamoto Nobuhiko, Murase Ayumu, and Others! Reading Play “Ai no Jigokuhen” Produced by Anime Director Ikuhara Kunihiko Unveils Cast Visuals

Get ready for an immersive theatrical experience! The second installment of “Ikuni Produce Reading in the dark,” titled Ai no Jigokuhen, is set to captivate audiences from December 4th to December 7th, 2025, at Rikkyoukai Hall in Tokyo. This highly anticipated reading play, masterminded by animation director Ikuhara Kunihiko, has just revealed breathtaking visuals of its stellar cast, featuring renowned voice actors such as Okamoto Nobuhiko, Murase Ayumu, Kamio Shinichirou, Horie Shun, Kobayashi Chikahiro, Hatanaka Tasuku, and Saitou Kimiko.

The “Ikuni Produce Reading in the dark” series is an experimental theater where animation director Ikuhara Kunihiko, known for his representative works such as Shoujo Kakumei Utena, Mawaru Penguindrum, and Sarazanmai, challenges new forms of expression based on reading. It’s a reading live aiming to “experience and feel through hearing” in dim light or complete darkness. To create an auditory-dominant environment, visual information is restricted as much as possible, allowing for a production where the world of “voices and sounds” can be enjoyed more deeply.

In October 2024, the first installment, Harukoto no Sasuke, was performed, creating a buzz for its unique worldview and innovative expression.

This second installment, Ai no Jigokuhen, sees Ikuhara-san continuing as general director and scriptwriter, teaming up once again with scriptwriter and director Awano Akira. Based on Akutagawa Ryuunosuke’s Jigokuhen, a work that has captivated many hearts throughout history, they will challenge new frontiers of storytelling to be experienced in the dark, using their unique aesthetic sensibilities and structural prowess.

This work brings together a luxurious lineup of top-tier voice actors, including Okamoto Nobuhiko, Murase Ayumu, Kamio Shinichirou, Horie Shun, Kobayashi Chikahiro, Hatanaka Tasuku, and Saitou Kimiko. The recently released visuals symbolically capture the emotions and relationships of the characters portrayed by each cast member.

The finished product embodies the series’ concept of presenting a “world that cannot be seen,” making use of the contrast between light and shadow. The unique vocal individuality and presence of each performer can be felt visually, expressing the passion for an “experiential work” that transcends the boundaries of a reading play. A comment has also arrived from Ikuhara-san, who is in charge of general direction and script.

The second installment of “Ikuni Produce Reading in the dark,” Ai no Jigokuhen, produced by animation director Ikuhara Kunihiko, will run from December 4th to December 7th, 2025, at Rikkyoukai Hall in Tokyo. For more information, please visit the official website.

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General Direction / Script: Ikuhara Kunihiko

We are dramatists.
And… we are oni.
Oni live in Jigoku.
What is Jigoku?
What is Jigoku to an artist?
What is Jigoku to lovers?

Reading in the dark Ai no Jigokuhen.
This is a story of us, the dramatists, and also a story of you, the spectator.

You and we will wander, be wounded, and decay in this Jigoku of darkness.

Ikuhara Kunihiko

Event Overview

Performance Title: Ikuni Produce Reading in the dark 『Ai no Jigokuhen』
Original Story: From Akutagawa Ryuunosuke’s 『Jigokuhen』

Cast Schedule

Performance Schedule

• December 4th (Thu): 15:00 / 19:00
• December 5th (Fri): 15:00 / 19:00
• December 6th (Sat): 14:00 / 18:00
• December 7th (Sun): 12:30 / 16:30

Venue: Rikkyoukai Hall
〒140-0001 Tokyo-to Shinagawa-ku Kita-Shinagawa 2-32-3

Ticket Information

Ticket Prices:
<SS Seating> (Row A): 12,000 yen
<S Seating> (Rows B-H): 10,000 yen
<A Seating> (Row I onwards): 9,000 yen

Special Privilege Ticket:
+1,500 yen
*The Special Privilege Ticket is currently available for general sale.
*To purchase a Special Privilege Ticket, you must purchase it separately from your seating ticket.
*Only those who purchased tickets through ILLUMINUS pre-sale or general sale are eligible to purchase.
*The Special Privilege Ticket is not eligible for the resale function.

Privilege Contents:
1. A4 Clear File featuring the key visual
2. Key visual Postcard set (2 types)

Staff

《By Nakase Koutarou》

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