Director Hideaki Anno, renowned for anime classics like "Gunbuster," "Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water," and "Neon Genesis Evangelion," as well as live-action blockbusters "Shin Godzilla" and "Shin Ultraman," is still going strong in the animation and film industry as he approaches 65.
Yesterday (March 19), Studio Khara's official X account dropped a bombshell: director Anno had reunited with Hayao Miyazaki – the man he once called his "master and rival" – after a six-year hiatus! The side-by-side photo of the two legends instantly sent fans into a frenzy, thrilled to see them together again after so long.
According to Anno's post, "I finally met Miya-san (Hayao Miyazaki) a few days ago, after about six years. He's still full of energy, and that's what matters most!" He added that the visit took place at Miyazaki's personal studio, "Nibariki."
What's more, this was Anno's first time stepping into Nibariki in eight years. He quipped, "In some corners of the room, time felt like it had stood still. Just like the SONY VHS player in the photo, still sitting firmly on the TV stand." Anno himself snapped the picture, which shows his happy reflection in the old TV screen, grinning at his phone camera as if transported back in time.
However, Anno also made it clear that the two didn't discuss "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" at all. This might be a slight bummer for fans hoping for a potential sequel, but hey, you can't win 'em all!
Later, the official account shared another photo of the duo at the entrance of Nibariki, adding, "As we were leaving, a veteran staff member who had been with Director Miyazaki since the 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind' days helped us take this picture."
But here's the real kicker: Hayao Miyazaki's iconic white beard was GONE! Anno chuckled, "Miya-san looks so fresh without a beard! He said he got lazy with grooming, so he just shaved it all off (laughs)."
This revelation had countless fans and netizens exclaiming that "beardless" Miyazaki was genuinely hard to recognize at first. Especially since Hideaki Anno himself now sports a white beard, many joked that without a closer look, you might even mistake one for the other in the photos, LOL!
While there's no news of new projects, this long-awaited "master-apprentice reunion" still has cinephiles buzzing! After all, both masters are getting on in years, and perhaps health is what matters most to them. Seeing the two reunite definitely makes us wonder what fascinating conversations they shared!
via： X 帳戶 (株)カラー 2号機