Why ‘Evangelion’ and Ghibli Films Are Unbeatable: Hideaki Anno’s Secret to Success

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Many filmmakers alter their approach and style once they gain international acclaim, aiming to attract a broader range of viewers. Unfortunately, this sometimes means sacrificing what initially made them stand out. However, there are exceptional directors and artists such as Hideaki Anno and Hayao Miyazaki who remain steadfast in their emotions and creative style, refusing to compromise for popular taste.

One of the reasons directors like Anno and Miyazaki are highly renowned is due to their exceptional, one-of-a-kind quality that can only be experienced in their creations. This is why shows like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Ghibli films remain iconic landmarks within the anime industry.

Hideaki Anno does not consider the foreign audience in his works

Hideaki Anno, the brainchild behind Neon Genesis Evangelion, has earned acclaim and admiration through his artistic creations. Following the initial triumph of the original anime, he produced Rebuild of the Evangelion – a quartet of feature films that concluded the series effectively. However, in none of these movies did the director make an effort to integrate elements specifically tailored for foreign or Western audiences to understand more easily.

During an interview with Otaku Mode, Anno was inquired about whether he was mindful of the worldwide audience drawn by “Evangelion“. In response, it became apparent that Anno’s intention wasn’t to cater to fans or aim for broad appeal.

I rarely think about catering to international audiences, as I haven’t had many opportunities to travel and gain such experiences myself. Therefore, I’m not skilled at adjusting my work for foreign audiences.

-Hideaki Anno

The director pointed out that when something is tailored for a domestic Japanese audience, it gives the work a special taste, making it one-of-a-kind. This uniqueness is exactly what draws non-Japanese viewers to such productions. Anno stated that by not deliberately catering to foreign audiences, he can produce films and anime that showcase Japanese culture in an authentic way.

If you strive to create something that appeals to everyone, it may result in a bland product. A creation that’s easy for everyone to understand can unfortunately become unremarkable.

-Hideaki Anno

According to Anno, it’s more effective to highlight personal perspectives and cultural backgrounds because this approach tends to resonate with a broader spectrum of people, thereby increasing the project’s overall popularity.

Hayao Miyazaki carries somewhat the same ideology as Anno

In an article published in Gekkan Bunshun, it was revealed that Hideaki Anno and Hayao Miyazaki had a long-standing professional bond. Toshio Suzuki, co-founder and producer of Studio Ghibli, shared that Anno first joined the studio during the production of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Impressed by his passion, Anno was quickly hired and found a niche within the studio. Over time, as they worked together for months or years, it’s only natural that their shared experiences and values would overlap to some extent.

In an interview with Collider, John Lasseter discussed the challenges in bringing Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away” to the U.S market due to its deeply Japanese cultural context. Fearful that some references might be lost on American viewers, Lasseter aimed to preserve Miyazaki’s original vision while also catering to the needs of foreign audiences.

Thus, when called upon, Hayao Miyazaki didn’t mince words in his reply. However, his blunt answer may not sit well with many:

To fully grasp the meaning of my films, it might be helpful if everyone learned Japanese.

-Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki has consistently maintained his independence in filmmaking, choosing to create movies that cater to a niche audience rather than mass appeal. He is adamant about preserving the integrity of his work and refuses to have it altered for distribution. This tenacity was evident when Miramax received a threatening sword with the message “NO CUT” written on it, as they were determined to edit Princess Mononoke.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2025-04-28 21:47