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    Gainax
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    Gainax

    Japan flagJapan
    Founded December 24, 1984 Musashino, Tokyo, Japan CEO: Yasuhiro Kamimura (final representative director)
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    About

    Gainax Co., Ltd. was a Japanese animation studio that left an outsized mark on anime history. Founded in 1984 by a group of passionate creators including Hideaki Anno, the studio quickly became known for pushing creative boundaries. Their original series like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gunbuster, and Gurren Lagann combined bold storytelling with striking visuals, often stirring controversy with their twist endings. Evangelion alone reportedly generated over ¥150 billion in revenue, making it a commercial powerhouse. The studio also adapted manga such as Kare Kano and Medaka Box, showing versatility beyond their own creations.

    Gainax won the Animage Anime Grand Prix multiple times, including for Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water in 1991 and Evangelion in 1995 and 1996. Their work often explored deep psychological themes and featured complex characters. Despite their success, financial troubles mounted over the years. In 2024, Gainax filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations, officially dissolving in 2025. The studio's legacy lives on through its influential series, which continue to inspire new generations of animators and fans.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Neon Genesis EvangelionGunbusterNadia: The Secret of Blue WaterHis and Her CircumstancesGurren LagannFLCLMedaka BoxPrincess Maker (video game series)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns Gainax now?
    Gainax is no longer an independent entity. Following its bankruptcy in 2024, the intellectual property rights for its major franchises (including Evangelion, Gunbuster, and Gurren Lagann) were acquired by Studio Khara, founded by original Gainax co-founder Hideaki Anno.
    Who is the CEO of Gainax?
    At the time of its bankruptcy filing in 2024, the Representative Director was Yasuhiro Kamimura. Prior to that, Tomoyuki Yamashita served as president from 2001. The company's first president was co-founder Toshio Okada.
    Is Gainax still in business?
    No. Gainax Co., Ltd. filed for bankruptcy in June 2024 and officially ceased all operations. The company was dissolved in 2025. Its creative legacy continues through its former staff at studios like Khara and Trigger, which now own the rights to Gainax's classic series.
    Is Gainax worth anything?
    While its brand and IP were once valued in the billions of yen (the Evangelion franchise alone generated over ¥150 billion), the company itself had negative value at its end. At bankruptcy, Gainax reported liabilities of approximately ¥380 million against few assets.
    Gainax vs. Trigger: What's the difference?
    Trigger is a separate animation studio founded in 2011 by former Gainax employees, including Hiroyuki Imaishi and Masahiko Otsuka. While Trigger's style (e.g., Kill la Kill, Promare) is often seen as a spiritual successor to Gainax's energetic work, it is an independent company that did not inherit Gainax's IP or debt.

    Keywords

    Gainaxanime studioNeon Genesis EvangelionGurren LagannGunbusterHideaki AnnoStudio KharaTriggerDaicon Filmbankruptcy 2024

    Company Info

    Founded
    December 24, 1984
    Founder
    Hideaki Anno, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Hiroyuki Yamaga, Takami Akai, Toshio Okada, Yasuhiro Takeda, Shinji Higuchi
    CEO
    Yasuhiro Kamimura (final representative director)
    Headquarters
    Musashino, Tokyo, Japan
    Industry
    copyright collective

    Official Website

    www.gainax.co.jp/

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