Close to the Sky

Close to the Sky, illustrated by Ippei Kuri, emerged from the creative milieu of Tatsunoko Production, the studio Kuri co-founded. The work reflects the studio's mid-century aesthetic, characterized by dynamic line work and an emphasis on kinetic energy, which became a hallmark of Kuri's contributions to the manga and anime landscape during this era. It was produced as part of a broader push to define a distinct visual identity for serialized storytelling within the Japanese market.

Ippei Kuri approached the illustrations with a focus on fluidity and expansive compositions, aiming to balance character intimacy with the ambitious scale suggested by the title. The work was received as a testament to the studio's technical prowess, marking a period where manga production began to integrate more cinematic framing techniques. It remains a representative example of Kuri's stylistic transition toward the sleek, heroic designs that would later influence the studio's more famous animation projects.