The existence of Neon Genesis Evangelion is nothing short of miraculous. This groundbreaking anime series, renowned for its intricate storytelling, managed to thrive even when its production process was fraught with challenges. Creator Hideaki Anno, who steadfastly insisted on crafting and revising scripts as the series progressed, alongside the talented team at Gainax, navigated tight deadlines to produce what many consider to be a masterpiece.
Numerous anime productions falter due to insufficient planning or lack of resources. However, against all odds, Evangelion not only survived the turbulent creative process but evolved into one of the most successful franchises in the anime industry. It’s important to note, though, that Anno and the Gainax team received assistance throughout their journey, with other animation studios playing pivotal roles in bringing various episodes to completion. Among these collaborators is none other than the iconic Studio Ghibli, renowned for its animated masterpieces.
An Extraordinary Production Journey for Evangelion
A Classic Anime That Flourished Against the Odds
In a renowned 1996 interview, shortly after the conclusion of Evangelion’s first run, Hideaki Anno shared insights with NewType about the chaotic yet inspiring journey of creating the series. He described the experience as akin to a “live concert,”stating he constructed characters and plots without a formal blueprint, adding, “We only started working on the next script once the previous one was done.”
The reality of his statements is underscored by the fact that at the time of its premiere, only two and a half episodes had been fully completed, accompanied by a rough outline for the overarching narrative. By the time viewers reached episode #13, “Lilliputian Hitcher,”where Ritsuko battles an Angel attempting to infiltrate the Magi, the initial outline was set aside, leading to a week-to-week creation process. Remarkably, the series only began to exhibit signs of its frantic production schedule as it approached the finale, forcing Anno to deviate from his intended vision for episodes #25 and #26.
None of this would have been feasible without the collaboration of other studios. A significant portion of the visual artistry in Evangelion was produced by these partners. Notably, Production I.G became heavily involved, earning a prominent credit in the opening of The End of Evangelion. In many instances where episodes were light on crucial plot developments, external studios handled the bulk of animation work, such as was the case for episode #11.
Studio Ghibli’s Contribution to Evangelion
Anime’s Most Celebrated Studio Animated an Episode of Evangelion
For viewers unfamiliar with Evangelion’s production nuances, episode #11, titled “The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still,”presents a perceptibly distinct quality. The animation’s fluidity is remarkable, elevating it far beyond the already high standard of the series. One of the most notable differences lies in the character designs, which show a clear shift to a style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, particularly evident as the story progresses toward the Angel attack.
Chief animator Toshio Kawaguchi was responsible for this episode’s unique aesthetic, having previously worked on acclaimed titles like Akira and Ghost in the Shell 2. His involvement with Ghibli films from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind through to Spirited Away gives insight into the episode’s striking visual style. While outsourcing animation is common in the industry, the collaboration with a prestigious studio like Ghibli is an extraordinary and rare occurrence.
This collaboration allowed episode #11 to feature Ghibli’s signature character designs and masterfully detailed backgrounds. The reasons behind this collaboration are not entirely clear, but it is not the first instance of Hideaki Anno and Ghibli’s partnership.
Hideaki Anno’s Ongoing Relationship with Studio Ghibli
A Long-Standing Friendship Between Anno and Miyazaki
Before achieving fame as the mind behind Neon Genesis Evangelion, Anno contributed his animation skills to Hayao Miyazaki’s classic, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and later served as an animator for the poignant Grave of the Fireflies. While it remains speculative, it’s plausible that Ghibli’s involvement in Evangelion was simply a favor between friends.
In a noteworthy collaboration, Miyazaki cast Anno to give voice to Jiro Horikoshi in 2013’s The Wind Rises, marking Anno’s first significant voice acting role. The friendship between these two creative titans has been well-documented, often featuring light-hearted exchanges in interviews, with Miyazaki humorously labeling Anno as “an alien,”to which Anno retorted that Miyazaki is “a really mean old guy!”
As for the future, it remains uncertain whether these two masters will unite professionally again, especially after Miyazaki declared that his last project would be The Boy and the Heron, although he has previously made similar announcements before returning with new work. Conversely, Hideaki Anno is set to unveil several upcoming projects, including Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, which is scheduled for release on April 8, 2025.
Despite its unconventional production, Neon Genesis Evangelion has cemented itself as Anno’s most iconic work, achieving widespread acclaim. The anime landscape is poorer without it, and its legacy is even more remarkable for including an episode animated entirely by the legendary Studio Ghibli. The influence of Ghibli may extend beyond this singular contribution, as Evangelion itself might not have been realized had Miyazaki not provided Anno with early career opportunities.
Source: NewType Magazine 1996 Interview with Hideaki Anno (translation via gwern.net), Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode Commentaries (via Evamonkey)