Manga artist Hirohiko Araki, known for the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series and whose 2013 collaboration with Gucci garnered attention, has recently announced that the title story of his 1995 short story collection, "Execution in Progress, Escape in Progress," will be adapted for the stage, starring Mirai Moriyama. This will be the first time one of Araki's works has been adapted for the stage.

The story is based on a suspense tale of a man sentenced to death who attempts to escape from prison, and incorporates elements of "Dolce: Die Hard the Cat," also included in the collection, creating a unique worldview that is characteristic of Araki's works for the stage. The production brings together notable creators from various genres, including Yasushi Hasegawa, head of the theater company "Fujiyama Annette," who is in charge of composition, direction, and choreography, Tsai Tadahiro, vocalist and guitarist for the band "bonobos," who serves as music director, and fashion brand FUGAHUM, who is in charge of visual supervision and costumes. Hirohiko Araki commented, "This is the first time my work has been adapted for the stage, so there is a sense of anticipation and excitement that is unpredictable." Mirai Moriyama, who not only stars in the lead role but also serves as co-choreographer, commented, "I intend to organically embody Hirohiko Araki's unique aesthetic beauty, working with directors, dancers, and other wonderful creators, by mobilizing all the elements of contemporary performing arts, including body movement, text, music, lighting, video, and costumes. Will this production be a play, a dance performance, or a genre-less installation? I'll leave that up to you to decide after watching the show." Mirai Moriyama's year-long dance study abroad in Israel as a "2013 Cultural Envoy" for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, which generated much buzz, is sure to draw attention to the kind of performance he will deliver in this production. A key visual, for which Mirai Moriyama also contributed ideas, was also released along with this announcement. The flyer design team, led by FUGAHUM, who oversaw the visuals, came up with the idea by distilling images such as "death penalty and prison escape," "depiction of repeated phenomena and emotions," "no escape," and "hell of incessant suffering." The seemingly endless horror is expressed by repeating inexplicably connected visuals, while adding depth, and the color scheme is conscious of the worldview of Araki's works.
【Stage Performance Schedule】
"Execution in Progress, Escape in Progress"
...
Address: 4-17 Kakocho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Admission: 8,800 yen














Address: 4-17 Kakocho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Admission: 8,800 yen ...Address: 4-17 Kita 1-jo Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido
Admission: 6,800 yen for the day performance, 7,500 yen for the evening performance











Address: 4-18 Shinsomakuruwa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Admission: 8,800 yen for S seats, 6,800 yen for A seats









Address: 4-17 Shinsomakuruwa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Admission: 8,800 yen for S seats, 6,800 yen for A seats










Address: 4-17 Shinsomakuruwa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Admission: 8,800 yen 19-1 Chayamachi, Kita-ku Price: 8,800 yen