GAINAX, the Japanese animation studio that has brought countless anime fans classics such as *Evangelion*, *Gurren Lagann*, *Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise*, and *20,000 Leagues Under the Sea*, filed a lawsuit last year in the Tokyo District Court.Filing for bankruptcyLater, according to an earlier announcement in the Japanese government's official gazette, its bankruptcy liquidation proceedings had officially ended. With bankruptcy liquidation and the dissolution of its legal entity status, this legendary studio, founded in 1984 and boasting over 40 years of history, has officially entered history.
From Peak to Fall: Diversification Failures and Top Scandals
Looking back at the history of GAINAX, it is undoubtedly one of the most glorious and dramatic chapters in the history of Japanese animation. From "Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honour" and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to "Panty & Stocking with Garterbelts," GAINAX defined the youth of many people with its unique style.
However, starting in 2012, various operational irregularities began to emerge within the company. These included unplanned investments in restaurants, the establishment of a CG company, senior executives' involvement in high-interest unsecured loans, and financial black holes caused by failed investments. The management team at the time even attempted to privatize the company, ultimately plunging this animation giant into an irrecoverable predicament.
Hideaki Anno posts: Anger turns to sadness as he exposes the betrayal of an old friend.
With the bankruptcy proceedings concluded, Hideaki Anno, a former core member of GAINAX and current president of Khara, also posted on the Khara website today...Publish its statement.
Hideaki Anno admitted that as someone who had been with the company since its inception and remained a shareholder until the very end, he felt regretful about the outcome but could only accept it calmly. He especially thanked the affiliated companies that assisted GAINAX in its reconstruction and liquidation after the arrest of former representative director Tomohiro Maki in 2019, ensuring that GAINAX's copyrights and production materials could be smoothly transferred to their rightful creators and holders, preventing the loss of valuable assets.
However, in the statement, Anno also revealed chilling inside stories. During the investigation, it was discovered that the old management team had engaged in dishonest repayment practices and disregarded the work after the company accepted emergency funding.
Anno directly named Hiroyuki Yamaga and Yasuhiro Takeda, whom he considered friends during his university years, accusing them of numerous misdeeds towards Khara. These included instructing employees to lie and avoid meeting the president, making hostile remarks, and plotting various methods to evade repayment. Upon learning the truth, Anno stated, "My emotions have shifted from anger to sadness," and he realized that their relationship could never be the same again.
The Last Guardian: Yasuhiro Kamimura
Despite the poignant ending, Anno paid special thanks at the end of his article to Yasuhiro Kamimura, the last representative director of GAINAX.
Likely a close friend of Anno from university, Yasuhiro Kamimura took responsibility when the old team abandoned the company. He not only worked hard to prevent the copyrights from being scattered, but also sincerely fought with all creditors until the very last moment, allowing GAINAX to end in a relatively dignified manner. Although this company, which once stood at the pinnacle of the industry, has disappeared, the works and spirit it left behind may continue in another form in the hands of Khara and other creators.
