[Go back] or [send mail] to the page author! The End of the Innocence is pleased to be the first US page EVER to have information on the still-in-progress Ikuhara/Nagano collaboration project! Thanks to all those who have provided information to this page! Special thanks to Jim Huang for the initial information!

What is Shell Bullet?

Shell Bullet is a collaborative project between Shoujo Kakumei Utena creator Kunihiko Ikuhara and Five Star Stories author Mamoru Nagano! First announced publically in May Newtype of 1999, this story represents the first time Ikuhara has taken on the science fiction genre! Although he has of course had great success with the shoujo genre, it will be interesting to see if Ikuhara's innovative style, Judeo-Christian mythological inferences, and romantic/erotic subthemes will carry well into a 'harder' genre where machines and technology are heavily involved... It IS worth noting that, three years ago when Utena was conceived, it was originally intended as a 'mecha' project... (This may have changed due to Anno's "Evangelion", but who knows?) Ikuhara is the primary writer-it does not appear that Be-Papas (at this time) is going to be involved. Nagano is handling mechanical and character designs. It's said that Nagano no longer does 'contract' design work (that is, creates something without input into the story and how the design will be used...) so assuredly he and Ikuhara have been collaborating hard on this one... Currently Shell Bullet is said to be hitting TV Tokyo in December of 1999... From one to eternity...

The World of Shell Bullet

The distant future. Humanity has discovered alien technology, and as a result, has become split into three distinct subspecies: Gene Liners Living spaceships, unions of alien biometals with human genetic code and DNA. Capable of configuring space at will, these ships naturally have a total monopoly over all trade and travel in this universe. Gene Liners can also spawn off humanoid fighting mecha called "Shells", (see left) that are extensions of the ship's body and mind. Gene Majors 'Advanced' human beings, the descendants of those who first discovered alien genetic manipulation technologies, and who now carefully control its secrets. Gene Majors are a product of higher evolution, (Newtypes?) with superior abilities. They are the ruling class, renowned for their androgynous beauty. Gene Minors 'Normal' human beings.

What's Known about the Story

Orus Break, a Gene Minor, falsely claims to be a Gene Major so as to get work aboard a Liner, as a "Shell Driver" (one who operates the Shell for combat or work purposes). Noma Quick attempts to seize control of the Gene Liner "Schell"- interrupting Derby and Orus's Driver training in the process... Assuredly, this will only be the beginning of the story.

Information about the Authors/Interviews

The End of the Innocence's [Kunihiko Ikuhara] page Toyspress's brief [Mamoru Nagano bio page].

Characters

Orus Break, 19 year old Gene Minor- Shell pilot trainee.

Norma Quick, 25. Ruthless woman, dislikes Orus...

Derby Ives, 19 year old Gene Major- Shell pilot trainee.

Links

NEW [May 99 Newtype article], translated by Mark Neidengard
[SOUL Newsletter, may 1999]-contains more information on Shell Bullet!

Images

Nothing available yet.