On July 27 1996, Takeyuki Kanda died suddenly at 52. Born August 11 1943, he was famed as the director of several cartoons, notably VIFAM. To honor him, a new VIFAM series aired in 1998. From March 21 to October 3, 1998 (Kansai), it ran 26 episodes and, like Twelve People Disappeared, functioned as a side story but added new elements: fresh characters, a new RV, and more.
The plot fits between episodes #22–26 of VIFAM (with #24‑25 as recaps) and is divided into three parts: Act I (#1–14), Interlude (#15–18), Act II (#19–26). In reality, Acts I and II are largely unrelated. It could be seen as a New Testament, yet it is now treated as apocryphal—or even pseudo‑VIFAM. Several arguments support this view, but watching the series best reveals the reasons and provides insight into its unique place within the franchise. Its status as an apocryphal work has sparked debate among fans for long.
Sunrise Japan