Gainax, the legendary animation studio that created ‘Evangelion’, has filed for bankruptcy

Gainax has confirmed that it has filed for bankruptcy in a statement on its website. News of great sadness for the anime industry, and is that Gainax is not just anything. We are talking about one of the most significant studios in the anime industry, the creator of ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ which had a huge impact in the ‘90s and 2000s. Founded in 1984, four decades later it confirms its disappearance after declaring bankruptcy due to the multiple lawsuits and financial challenges it has had to face in recent years.

Mismanagement and debt have brought the worst possible end to a situation that has been brewing for many years and suffered a new setback in 2019 with the arrest of its then-president, Tomohiro Maki, for sexual abuse. Tax evasion, non-compliance with payment and loan agreements…. A long list of actions that have gradually dug the grave of a mythical studio. Studio Khara, founded by the most famous member of Gainax, Hideaki Anno, has issued a statement expressing its displeasure at the situation that a studio with a 40-year history has reached. At the same time, it assures that it will help to transfer the rights of the works to the rightful owners.

Gainax, an important part of Japanese animation history

When we talk about Gainax, we are talking about one of the largest and most important anime studios in history. An outstanding production of original works that have helped build the industry over the past few decades. Creating works of enormous acclaim over the years and employing such prominent figures in their own industry and in the world of cinema as Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi, and Toshio Okada, among others.

Founded on the now-distant December 24th, 1984, it took almost four decades for a studio known for its original creations to disappear. Something that is becoming increasingly rare in an anime industry that takes no risks and constantly protects itself by adapting manga hits. ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’, ‘Kare Kano’, ‘FLCL’, ‘Otaku no Video’, and ‘Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann’ are some of its most outstanding works, a catalog, and excellence in animation that will endure through the ages. An immortal legacy that ends in the worst possible way.