Created for the 77th anniversary campaign of the popular Kirin Lemon sparkling drink, this commercial film was directed by Katsuhito Ishii (Kill Bill: Vol. 1 animation part character designer), who also developed the design for the 14 characters appearing in the spot. In the story concept, two teams, Seven Sevens and Monster Black, are competing in an imaginary neo-futuristic high-speed sport called "Sky Shoot."
The 30" film was produced in about 2 months by I.G's Studio 9, involving staff from the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series.

Profile: Katsuhito Ishii
Born in 1966, Ishii started out as a TV commercial director, but later he successfully turned to full length live action films such as Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl (1998) and The Taste of Tea (2004). He has often worked in the world of animation, his credits including the character design for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 animation segment (2003).

Air Date in Japan: March~June 2005
Format: 1 x 15" version, 1 x 30" version

© KIRIN LEMON77