Director Hideaki Anno, a name synonymous with iconic anime like "Gunbuster," "Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water," and "Neon Genesis Evangelion," as well as live-action blockbusters "Shin Godzilla" and "Shin Ultraman," is also heavily involved in the upcoming Gundam anime, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX."
Today (July 17), khara's official X account, カラー 2号機 ( @khara_inc2 ), dropped a special post. It's the 59th anniversary of the original "Ultraman" broadcast, and the post delves into how profoundly the series impacted Anno.
Speaking through khara's official statement, Hideaki Anno shared:
"On this day in 1966, TBS aired the very first fantasy tokusatsu series, 'Ultraman.' For me, 'Ultraman' was truly a life-changing work."
"The attached image is a still from an 8mm fan film I shot in my third year of high school. Watching Ultraman ignited my passion, and I poured myself into it. Whether it was back then, before, after, or even now, I deeply feel that my way of life hasn't changed since that day 59 years ago."
"Next year marks the 60th anniversary. I want to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for that encounter on July 17, 1966, at 7 PM. Thank you, truly."
Born in 1960, Anno was just six years old when he first encountered "Ultraman," sparking his lifelong interest in tokusatsu culture. By high school, he joined the SF research club, channeling his love for Ultraman through fan films. The photo clearly shows a young Anno, in his school uniform, mimicking Ultraman's iconic Specium Ray pose.
Of course, Anno's passion didn't stop there. In college, he and his friends famously created "Return of Ultraman: DAICON FILM Version," with Anno himself starring as Ultraman.
▼ Hideaki Anno starring in "Return of Ultraman: DAICON FILM Version"
Much like his beloved "Mobile Suit Gundam," "Godzilla," "Kamen Rider," and "Space Battleship Yamato," it's clear that in recent years, Anno has actively engaged with the very franchises he obsessed over as a student, finding his own ways to continue their legacies.
Whether you're a fan of Anno or not, you can't help but admire his unwavering dedication and intense passion for the things he loves, from his student days right up to the present.