Hideaki Anno
DirectorHideaki Anno is a Japanese director, writer and Gainax co-founder who created Neon Genesis Evangelion, serving as its principal writer and director across the original 1995 to 1996 television series and its film continuations.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Role
Anno conceived, wrote and directed Neon Genesis Evangelion for Gainax, shaping its psychological approach to the mecha genre and steering the story through budget and schedule pressures that forced him to close the television run with two introspective, mostly interior episodes. He later returned to the material to direct The End of Evangelion as a theatrical alternative ending, then spent 2007 through 2021 writing and directing the four-film Rebuild of Evangelion series aimed at reaching audiences beyond the original fanbase.
Career and Notable Roles
Before Evangelion, Anno cut his teeth animating on The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and earned notice for key animation on Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, then helped found Gainax in 1984, rising to become the studio's lead director on early hits such as the mecha comedy Gunbuster and the sci-fi series Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. Outside the franchise he has directed Love & Pop, Cutie Honey and the live-action Shin trilogy of tokusatsu reboots, Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman and Shin Kamen Rider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Hideaki Anno work for Studio Ghibli?
Anno is closely tied to Hayao Miyazaki through early animation work rather than a Ghibli staff role: he provided key animation on Miyazaki's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind before co-founding Gainax in 1984. He also worked on The Super Dimension Fortress Macross earlier in his career.
Who created Neon Genesis Evangelion?
Hideaki Anno conceived, wrote and directed Neon Genesis Evangelion for the studio Gainax, bringing a psychological approach to the mecha genre. Budget and schedule pressures during production forced him to close the television run with two introspective, mostly interior episodes.
What is Hideaki Anno's connection to The End of Evangelion?
After the original television series ended, Anno returned to direct The End of Evangelion as a theatrical alternative ending. The film gave him a chance to revisit the story's conclusion outside the constraints that had shaped the TV finale.
Did Hideaki Anno direct the Rebuild of Evangelion films?
Yes, Anno spent 2007 through 2021 writing and directing the four-film Rebuild of Evangelion series. The project was aimed at reaching audiences beyond the original Evangelion fanbase.
What other work is Hideaki Anno known for outside Evangelion?
Anno helped found the animation studio Gainax in 1984 and served as lead director on early hits like the mecha comedy Gunbuster and the sci-fi series Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. Outside the studio, he has directed Love & Pop, Cutie Honey, and the live-action Shin trilogy of tokusatsu reboots: Shin Godzilla, Shin Ultraman, and Shin Kamen Rider.
Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series, manga, and official materials. Neon Genesis Evangelion was created by Hideaki Anno, published by Kadokawa, and animated by khara and Gainax. All rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byHideaki Anno
- Published byKadokawa
- Animated bykhara
- Animated byGainax
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Anime, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to khara, Gainax and Kadokawa.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to the game's respective publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Kadokawa and Hideaki Anno.
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