Hideaki Anno
Biography
Hideaki Anno is a Japanese animation and film director born on May 22, 1960, in Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. Known professionally by the stage name 庵野秀明, he has established a significant career in the entertainment industry with 152 known credits. Anno is recognized for his distinct directorial style, which frequently incorporates elements of superflatism and postmodernism. His work is noted for its thorough exploration of character psychology, often utilizing unconventional sequences to facilitate emotional deconstruction and the analysis of internal thoughts. In his personal life, he married comics artist Moyoco Anno on April 27, 2002. He remains a prominent figure in the field of animation, celebrated for his contributions to the medium and his unique approach to storytelling.
Career overview
Hideaki Anno is best known for his work on the popular anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Throughout his career, his directorial projects have received significant critical recognition, including multiple wins at the Animage Anime Grand Prix. Specifically, the anime series Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, directed by Anno, won the award in 1990. Additionally, his work on Neon Genesis Evangelion earned him the same honor in both 1995 and 1996. These accolades highlight his influence and success within the animation industry during the 1990s.
Beyond these specific titles, Anno's directorial approach is defined by his commitment to portraying the complex emotional states of his characters. By integrating psychoanalysis into his narratives, he creates works that challenge traditional animation conventions. His consistent focus on the internal experiences of his subjects has become a hallmark of his creative output. As a director, Anno continues to be associated with projects that prioritize deep character development and thematic depth, solidifying his reputation as a meticulous and innovative filmmaker in the global animation landscape.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening (2026) Screenplay
- EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening (2026) Executive Producer
- EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening (2026) Production Supervisor
- EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening (2026) Original Story
- THE ORIGIN OF ULTRAMAN (2026) as Self
- Evangelion: Death (True)² & Rebirth (2026) Director
- Evangelion: Death (True)² & Rebirth (2026) Writer
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2025) Other
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2025) Screenplay
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (2025) Key Animation
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (2025) Screenplay
- Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (2025) Key Animation
- Shin Kamen Rider: Episode Format Version (2024) Director
- Shin Kamen Rider: Episode Format Version (2024) Screenplay
- Shin Kamen Rider: Episode Format Version (2024) Editor
- Shin Kamen Rider: Episode Format Version (2024) Costume Design
- Shin Kamen Rider (2023) Director
- Shin Kamen Rider (2023) Writer
- Shin Kamen Rider (2023) Costume Design
- Shin Kamen Rider (2023) Editor
- Shin Kamen Rider (2023) Conceptual Design
- EVANGELION:3.0(-46h) (2023) Original Story
- EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.) (2023) Director
- EVANGELION:3.0(-120min.) (2023) Original Story
- Evangelion Beyond (2023) Original Series Creator
- Documentary "Shin Kamen Rider" ~Behind the Scenes of the Hero Action Challenge~ (2023) as Self
- Ichikei's Crow The Movie (2023) as Judge
- Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug (2023) Writer
- Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug (2023) Director
- Special Broadcast Movie "Shin Kamen Rider" Premise/Act 1: Kumo-Aug (2023) Concept Artist
- Shin Ultraman (2022) as Ultraman (Motion Capture)
- Shin Ultraman (2022) Editor
- Shin Ultraman (2022) Motion Actor
- Shin Ultraman (2022) Screenplay
- Shin Ultraman (2022) Storyboard Artist
- Shin Ultraman (2022) Executive Producer
- The・Ultraman: Jackal vs. Ultraman (2022) Producer
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) Key Animation
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) Executive Producer
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) Storyboard Artist
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) Director
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) Screenplay
- Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) Original Story
- Hideaki Anno: The Final Challenge of Evangelion (2021) as Self
- Hideaki ANNO and Hitoshi MATSUMOTO fireside chat (2021) as Self
- Last Letter (2020) as Yuri's Husband
- 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki (2019) as Self
- The Brand New Legend of the Stardust Brothers (2018)
- Mary and The Witch's Flower (2017) Executive Producer
- The Dragon Dentist (2017) Producer
- The Dragon Dentist (2017) Sound Director
- Shin Godzilla vs. Evangelion Symphony (2017) Executive Producer
- Shin Godzilla (2016) as Bus Driver
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Storyboard
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Director
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Screenplay
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Sound Designer
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Editor
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Title Designer
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Creature Design
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Additional Director of Photography
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Additional Sound Re-Recordist
- Shin Godzilla (2016) Second Unit Director
- Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot (2016) Executive Producer
- A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.) (2016) Editor
- A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.) (2016) Executive Producer
- A Good Child's History Anime: The Giant Turnip (Inc.) (2016) Director of Photography
- Bubu & Bubulina (2015) Executive Producer
- Neon Genesis IMPACTS. (2015) Executive Producer
- Neon Genesis IMPACTS. (2015) Original Story
- Three Fallen Witnesses (2015) Executive Producer
- Robot on the Road (2015) Executive Producer
- MAKING OF EVANGELION: THE PART OF LIVE-ACTION (2015)
- MAKING OF EVANGELION: THE PART OF LIVE-ACTION (2015) Director
- Evangelion: Another Impact (Confidential) (2015) Executive Producer
- Evangelion: Another Impact (Confidential) (2015) Original Story
- Anno-san and Our Reckless Challenge: Japan Animator Expo (2015)
- Japan Animator Expo (2014) Editor
- Japan Animator Expo (2014) Original Story
- Japan Animator Expo (2014) Executive Producer
- Japan Animator Expo (2014) Layout
- Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Odyssey of the Celestial Ark (2014) Key Animation
- Hill Climb Girl (2014) Executive Producer
- Carnage (2014) Executive Producer
- 20min Walk from Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed (2014) Executive Producer
- Yoshikazu Yasuhiko & Ichiro Itano: Collection of KeyAnimation Films (2014) Writer
- Yoshikazu Yasuhiko & Ichiro Itano: Collection of KeyAnimation Films (2014) Compositors
- Yoshikazu Yasuhiko & Ichiro Itano: Collection of KeyAnimation Films (2014) Editor
- until You come to me. (2014) Layout
- until You come to me. (2014) Executive Producer
- until You come to me. (2014) Original Story
- The Dragon Dentist (2014) Executive Producer
- The Wind Rises (2013) as Jiro Horikoshi (voice)
- Ando Lloyd ~A.I. knows LOVE ?~ (2013) Original Story
- Ando Lloyd ~A.I. knows LOVE ?~ (2013) Creator
- The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) as Self
- Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film (2013) Director
- Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film (2013) Screenplay
- Peaceful Times (F02) Petit Film (2013) Original Story
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) Key Animation
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) Director
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) Storyboard Artist
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) Screenplay
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) Original Story
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) Executive Producer
- Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo (2012) Producer
- Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo (2012) Writer
- Director Disqualified (2011) Producer
- Death Kappa (2010) as National Guard Corps Captain
- The Revolutionary Animator Kanada Yoshinori (2010)
- Monster Magnitude: 9 (2010) as Passenger
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) Screenplay
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) Key Animation
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) Storyboard Artist
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) Director
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) Original Story
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) Screenplay
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) Key Animation
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) Storyboard Artist
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) Director
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) Original Story
- Petit Eva: Evangelion@School (2007) Characters
- Petit Eva: Evangelion@School (2007) Creator
- Welcome to the Quiet Room (2007) as Doctor Matsubara
- Professional: Shigoto no ryûgi (2006)
- Gunbuster: The Movie (2006) Storyboard Artist
- Gunbuster: The Movie (2006) Director
- Gunbuster: The Movie (2006) Screenplay
- Sakuran (2006) as Oretachi
- Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie (2006) Screenplay
- Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie (2006) Key Animation
- Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie (2006) Director
- Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie (2006) Producer
- Japan Sinks (2006) as Yamashiro's Son in Law
- Japan Sinks (2006) Mechanical Designer
- Submarine 707 Revolution (2006) Opening/Ending Animation
- The Catch Man (2006)
- True Love (2006) as Nishimura Keisuke
- Sugar Sugar Rune (2005) Second Unit Director
- Funky Forest: The First Contact (2005) as Hasuda
- Making of Cutie Honey (2004)
- Re: Cutie Honey (2004) Series Director
- Re: Cutie Honey (2004) Key Animation
- Re: Cutie Honey (2004) Second Unit Director
- Re: Cutie Honey (2004) Director
- The Taste of Tea (2004) as Kasugabe
- Cutie Honey (2004) as Office Worker
- Cutie Honey (2004) Screenplay
- Cutie Honey (2004) Director
- Otakus in Love (2004)
- Renewal of Evangelion (2003) Director
- Renewal of Evangelion (2003) Creator
- Submarine 707R (2003) Second Unit Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Theatrical Edition #26 Live Action Part (Special Rush Edit Version) (2003) as Shinji (voice)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Theatrical Edition #26 Live Action Part (Special Rush Edit Version) (2003) Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Theatrical Edition #26 Live Action Part (Special Rush Edit Version) (2003) Writer
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Theatrical Edition #26 Live Action Part (Special Rush Edit Version) (2003) Original Story
- Once upon a time returning to my hometown (2003)
- Once upon a time returning to my hometown (2003) Director
- The Railway and the Girl (2003) Camera Operator
- The Railway and the Girl (2003) Director
- Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (2002) Key Animation
- Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (2002) Storyboard Artist
- Petite Princess Yucie (2002) Director
- Animation Store Manager (2002) Director
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction (2002) Director
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction (2002) Screenplay
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction (2002) Original Story
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction (2002) Story
- Frog River (2002)
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction - First Storyboards, in Motion Short Director (2002) Director
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction - First Storyboards, in Motion Short Director (2002) Screenplay
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction - First Storyboards, in Motion Short Director (2002) Original Story
- The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction - First Storyboards, in Motion Short Director (2002) Story
- Ryusei-Kacho (2002) Writer
- Ryusei-Kacho (2002) Director
- Mahoromatic (2001) Storyboard Artist
- Cutie Honey Presentation Pilot Film (2001) Director
- FLCL (2000) as Miyu Miyu (voice)
- FLCL (2000) Animation Director
- FLCL (2000) Key Animation
- Ritual (2000) Director
- Ritual (2000) Screenplay
- Oruchuban Ebichu (1999) Producer
- GAMERA 1999 (1999)
- GAMERA 1999 (1999) Director of Photography
- GAMERA 1999 (1999) Director
- Welcome Back For An Extracurricular Lesson, Sempai (1998) as Self
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Director
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Series Director
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Writer
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Storyboard Artist
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Screenplay
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Sound Director
- His and Her Circumstances (1998) Story
- Revival of Evangelion (1998) Screenplay
- Revival of Evangelion (1998) Director
- Revival of Evangelion (1998) Animation Director
- Revival of Evangelion (1998) Original Story
- Revival of Evangelion (1998) Second Unit Director
- EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)² (1998) Director
- EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)² (1998) Screenplay
- EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)² (1998) Animation Director
- EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE)² (1998) Original Story
- Love & Pop (1998) Director
- Love & Pop (1998) Screenplay
- Abunai Deka Forever The Movie (1998) as Man
- Document Love & Pop (1998)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Animation Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Key Animation
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Storyboard Artist
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Original Story
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Screenplay
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) Second Unit Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) Screenplay
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) Key Animation
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) Storyboard Artist
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) Animation Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (1997) Original Story
- Ano Subarashii Ai Wo Mou Ichido (1997) Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genesis 0:0’ - The Light from the Darkness (1997) as Self
- Evangelion Symphony (1997) Supervisor of Production Resources
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Writer
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Mechanical Designer
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Series Director
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Storyboard Artist
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Script
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Key Animation
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Creator
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Series Composition
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) Original Story
- Macross Plus: The Movie (1995) Key Animation
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genesis 0:0 - In the Beginning (1995)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genesis 0:0 - In the Beginning (1995) Director
- Macross Plus (1994) Key Animation
- Sailor Moon R: The Movie - The Promise of the Rose (1993) Key Animation
- Crimson Wolf (1993) Key Animation
- Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1992) Key Animation
- Blazing Transfer Student (1991) Producer
- Blazing Transfer Student (1991) Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III (1991) Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III (1991) Story
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story III (1991) Animation Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story II (1991) Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story II (1991) Story
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story I (1991) Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Nautilus Story I (1991) Story
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990) Series Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990) Animation Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990) Storyboard Artist
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990) Director
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990) Story
- Gunbuster (1988) Series Director
- Gunbuster (1988) Key Animation
- Gunbuster (1988) Writer
- Gunbuster (1988) Director
- Gunbuster (1988) Storyboard Artist
- Gunbuster (1988) Screenplay
- Dragon Quest Fantasia Video (1988)
- Dragon Quest Fantasia Video (1988) Animation
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (1988) Mechanical & Creature Designer
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Key Animation
- Lemon Angel (1987) Key Animation
- Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (1987) Key Animation
- Battle Royale High School (1987) Animation Director
- Crystal Triangle: The Forbidden Revelation (1987) Key Animation
- Ultraman: The Adventure Begins (1987) Key Animation
- Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise (1987) Animation Director
- Valis: The Fantasm Soldier (1987) Director
- Robotech: The Movie (1986) Key Animation
- Megazone 23 (1985) Key Animation
- Urusei Yatsura: Remember My Love (1985) Key Animation
- Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Pilot (1985) Animation Director
- Cow and Girl (1985) Director
- Cow and Girl (1985) Writer
- Orochi Strikes Again (1985) as TV Reporter
- The Complete Thunderbirds (1985) Writer
- The Complete Thunderbirds (1985) Director
- The Complete Thunderbirds (1985) Editor
- Warriors of the Wind (1984) Key Animation
- Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984) Key Animation
- Birth (1984) Animation
- Cream Lemon (1984) Key Animation
- Daicon Film's Return of Ultraman (1983) as Ultraman
- Daicon Film's Return of Ultraman (1983) Director
- Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982) Key Animation
- Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon (1982) as Narrator
- Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon (1982) Special Effects
- Aikoku Sentai Dai-Nippon (1982) Mechanical Designer
- Urusei Yatsura (1981) Key Animation
- Tea Time (1981) Director of Photography
- Tea Time (1981) Cinematography
- Tea Time (1981) Animation
- Tea Time (1981) Writer
- Tea Time (1981) Editor
- Tea Time (1981) Director
- Powered Suit! Reinforced Armor (1981) Writer
- Powered Suit! Reinforced Armor (1981) Director of Photography
- Powered Suit! Reinforced Armor (1981) Animation
- Powered Suit! Reinforced Armor (1981) Director
- Powered Suit! Reinforced Armor (1981) Cinematography
- Powered Suit! Reinforced Armor (1981) Editor
- Aerial Replacement (1980) Editor
- Aerial Replacement (1980) Animation
- Aerial Replacement (1980) Director
- Aerial Replacement (1980) Cinematography
- Aerial Replacement (1980) Writer
- Aerial Replacement (1980) Director of Photography
- At the Bus Stop (1980) Director
- At the Bus Stop (1980) Writer
- At the Bus Stop (1980) Director of Photography
- At the Bus Stop (1980) Editor
- Water (1980) Director of Photography
- Water (1980) Director
- Water (1980) Writer
- Water (1980) Animation
- Water (1980) Editor
- Water (1980) Cinematography
- A Tank Jumped Out from the Fridge!! (1980) Cinematography
- A Tank Jumped Out from the Fridge!! (1980) Editor
- A Tank Jumped Out from the Fridge!! (1980) Animation
- A Tank Jumped Out from the Fridge!! (1980) Director
- A Tank Jumped Out from the Fridge!! (1980) Director of Photography
- A Tank Jumped Out from the Fridge!! (1980) Writer
- Tough Tire! SHADO Tire (1980) Director of Photography
- Tough Tire! SHADO Tire (1980) Editor
- Tough Tire! SHADO Tire (1980) Writer
- Tough Tire! SHADO Tire (1980) Director
- Tough Tire! SHADO Tire (1980) Animation
- Proverb Dictionary: He Who Shoots Often, Hits at Last! (1979) Director
- Proverb Dictionary: He Who Shoots Often, Hits at Last! (1979) Writer
- Proverb Dictionary: He Who Shoots Often, Hits at Last! (1979) Director of Photography
- Proverb Dictionary: He Who Shoots Often, Hits at Last! (1979) Editor
- Yamato (1978) Editor
- Yamato (1978) Director
- Yamato (1978) Writer
- Yamato (1978) Director of Photography
- Yamato (1978) Cinematography
- Yamato (1978) Animation
- Ubekosei (1978) Director
- Ubekosei (1978) Writer
- Ubekosei (1978) Editor
- Ubekosei (1978) Cinematography
- Ubekosei (1978) Director of Photography
- Ubekosei (1978) Animation