Hideaki Anno

Hideaki Anno, born May 22, 1960, is a highly celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, and actor. His most recognized contribution to the anime world is the Evangelion franchise, which revolutionized the anime television industry and significantly influenced Japanese pop culture. Anno’s unique style, characterized by a postmodernist lens and a deep understanding of characters' emotional landscapes, truly sets him apart. Gaining initial recognition for his work on Hayao Miyazaki's 1984 film 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind', Anno went on to co-found Gainax where he pioneered numerous projects. However, his journey was not without challenges, becoming prevalent during the production of 'Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water', where Anno fell into a four-year depression. He then produced the anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, a project that delved into themes of a post-apocalyptic world and mental health narratives, which mirrored his own experiences with clinical depression. Anno has also directed many popular anime and live-action film, including 'Kare Kano', 'Love & Pop', 'Cutie Honey', 'Shiki-Jitsu', and 'Shin Godzilla', showcasing his versatile directing skills. Currently, Anno enjoys a promising career while extending his brilliant contributions to the medium.