Residency 2025

As part of the Culture & Health program, illustrator Lionel Serre has been invited by Le 19, Crac and the Nord Franche-Comté Hospital to lead a series of drawing workshops within the pediatric department of the hospital located in Trévenans.

For over 10 years now, Lionel Serre has contributed to various youth and adult publications (Les Inrockuptibles, Astrapi, J’aime lire, …), while continuing his work as an author-illustrator through children’s books published by Les Fourmis Rouges and La Martinière Jeunesse.

During this residency, he invites patients, parents, and caregivers from the pediatric department to imagine the characters of a heroic and fantastical series inspired by the universe of Japanese sentai shows, based on a short scenario true to the genre:

“Dear Earthlings,

After the great pandemics of the 21st century, the Japanese government funded the construction of a secret laboratory—LNFC (Laboratory Nord Franche-Comté)—near Tokyo. Its mission: to develop a universal vaccine capable of curing all diseases. This ambitious task was entrusted to a team of five brilliant scientists known as the Chemical Unit. But after years of research with no success, the project was abandoned…

That’s when I crash-landed on Earth!

Seriously injured, I was secretly transferred to the LNFC. Though I was treated, I remained in a coma. That’s when the Chemical Unit discovered I was infected by an unknown virus: Patrax. Strangely enough, they cured me with a simple Earth medicine called aspirin.
Once recovered, I was finally able to tell my story. My name is Blobz. I am a renowned scientist on Gloubula, my home planet. But back there, Patrax has decimated my people. In despair, I injected myself with the virus and left my planet in search of help. And I found you, dear Earthlings! Thanks to your aspirin, I now have the means to save my people!

To show my gratitude, I shared all my knowledge with the Chemical Unit. Together, we worked tirelessly and finally discovered the universal vaccine: the ULTIMIUM-Z.

But before we could even announce this extraordinary discovery, Dr. Molecular, a dangerous scientist, attacked the lab. During the battle, I injected him with a dose of Patrax, turning him into an incurable monster. The explosion destroyed everything. I’m the sole survivor.

After this tragic event, I made a decision: I must protect the ULTIMIUM-Z at all costs! I split its formula into five fragments, which I want to entrust to brave and trustworthy young humans. These five heroes—I have found them. It’s you, the Chemical Rangers!
Each of you is now the guardian of a part of the formula. When united, these fragments will restore the power of the ULTIMIUM-Z and heal Earth from the plagues threatening it.

I know it won’t be easy, but don’t be afraid: I, Blobz, and Lionel Serre, my loyal messenger, will remain by your side every step of the way.

Welcome to the team, dear Chemical Ranger.”

The Culture & Health program is supported by the DRAC and ARS Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.