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Posted November 3, 2014 by Yuri Mangahas in Anime/Manga
 
 

HIDEAKI ANNO Reveals His Inspiration Behind EVANGELION

Anno(center) at the recently held Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo by AFP.

Anno(center) at the recently held Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo by AFP.

Make no mistake about it: The very moment Hideaki Anno laid his artistic sights on the field of animation, we all felt that change is coming – a resounding point apparent with his masterpiece in Neon Genesis Evangelion. No animator have dared to step beyond the bounds of what is acceptable in the norm, that is, until he came. Evangelion explored a darker territory and painted a terrifying splash at the underpinnings of the Super Robot genre, effectively placing Anno alongside Oscar winner Hayao Miyazaki, Astro Boy brainchild Osamu Tesuka, and cyborg-tale specialist Shotaro Ishinomori in the pantheon of greats.

Thanks to his efforts, as well as Miyazaki’s, Japanese animation has since been regarded as an important part of mainstream cinema abroad, with a few notable works gaining widespread acclaim in the process. While it is true that Miyazaki’s retirement had left a huge gaping hole to fill in, fans should not fret as an obvious successor in the persona of Hideaki Anno will be taking the reins for Japanese anime’s progression.

The dark, haunting inspiration behind Evangelion

During an interview with Agency France Presse at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Anno revealed that during the time he conceptualized Evangelion, he drew inspiration from the darker recesses of the human soul, haunted by the threat of nuclear holocaust growing up as a child in Japan during the Cold War era and in the shadow of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

“There was a real sense that if atomic war broke out, the world would be destroyed. If someone pushed the nuclear button it would lead to the destruction of the world—that was the reality at the time, that fear of Armageddon.”

The Evangelion series, about gigantic bio-machines piloted by teenagers battling monstrous giants that are terrorizing human survivors of a global catastrophe, has produced five feature movies and spawned manga comics, games, character merchandise, and even a theme park attraction since it was first broadcast in 1995.
Promotional material for Rebuild of Evangelion. Photo from Anime News Network.

Promotional material for Rebuild of Evangelion. Photo from Anime News Network.

“I sincerely thought that the world would end in the 20th century,” said Anno. He added that his sense of an aftermath after the advent of Armageddon prompted him to create the feel of Evangelion. He also postulated that humanity clings on the fear of God at the face of merciless destruction – a theme that resonates all throughout the story.

The enduring appeal of Japanese Animation

He praised the unique quality of Hayao Miyazaki’s works and how they contributed to the landscape of animation, pointing that it is due to Miyazaki’s desire to reach to both adults and children that created the impact.

“Miyazaki-san’s works have had a major influence on Japanese film. They can never be replicated, and nobody will make movies like that again. Watching his approach to filmmaking—he sacrificed himself for his work. His principle was that his art was everything, the movie was more important than anything. That was special.”

Miyazaki had often been compared to Walt Disney, but Anno insists that there’s more beyond the former’s signature style that gave rise to Anime’s fame. Their bold attempts to explore dark themes, as well as concepts that surpass the surreal were traits akin to Japanese animation’s ageless appeal.

“Japanese animation isn’t just for kids.”, Anno muses.

What awaits in the future

He was also asked about the possibility of his works transitioning into live-action films. He immediately shut down the idea and pressed that it would be difficult to portray them outside its source material.

Hideaki Anno(L), and mangaka Moyoko Anno at the red carpet event for Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo by AFP.

Hideaki Anno(L), and mangaka Moyoko Anno at the red carpet event for Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo by AFP.

“I don’t think it would work. The concept of “Evangelion” was that of an animation and it would be very difficult to express in live action. You would have to remake it totally and then it would be something different, so I don’t see it ever happening.” 

Now that Miyazaki has left, how does it feel for Anno knowing that the future of anime rests on his hands now?

“No pressure.”, said Anno. He was touted as Hayao’s heir after the latter’s retirement last year following the release of The Wind Rises, his last theatrical work. Studio Ghibili’s co-founder Toshio Suzuki even claimed that Anno would change – yet again – the landscape of the industry for the next 10 years.

“It’s what other people say, not me. I just want to continue making stimulating movies and I’d like to give something back to the industry. Hopefully I can help the culture and art of anime become even bigger and contribute to society in some way, leave something that will last.”

As of writing, Anno is completing the production of the final entry in the Rebuild of Evangelion series of movies, which is expected to hit Japanese theaters sometime in 2015.

Source: Anime News Network, Agency France Presse

 

 

 


Yuri Mangahas

 
Yuri is magnanimously juggling between two managerial jobs: A technical manager position for an advertising/copy-writing company, and an associate editorial position for a fashion and lifestyle magazine. Nevertheless, he still finds time taking photos and seeking for geek nirvana.