I started off determined that I would have to do it myself.
Interviewer
I'd like to ask you about your methodology of "Rebuild" rather than "Remake". Is this another idea that came along with the thoughts you mentioned earlier?
Anno
No, it just happened. As I recall, the idea of starting my own company came up before the "Rebuild of Evangelion" project. I remember that we had already talked about making a part 2 of "Eva" around the time of the "Nadia" DVD box set (2001).
Interviewer
Oh, I think it was in the summer, while editing the special feature by Masayuki at the studio of King Records, you and Toshimichi Otsuki were chatting about continuing to keep making sequels to Eva like Gundam and Space Battleship Yamato.
Anno
Right. Already at that time, I began to think that if I didn't develop "Evangelion" as content, there would be no future for anime. If that's the case, I should do it while I can. Then I asked many people to make a part 2 of "Evangelion". But the only response I got was "Oooo I don't know," and no one was willing to do it (laughs).
Interviewer
Rather than "making G-Eva," I think the two of you had already talked about the possibility of making a completely different work, not necessarily a sequel, during the "Nadia" chat.
Anno
Yeah. "Why don't you work on G-Eva?" I asked everyone, but it didn't work. They wouldn't accept it unless I did "V" first (laughs). If so, I thought I'd have to do "V" myself first. If I can create one sample that shows that it's okay to make "Evangelion" like this, I think it will be easier for other people to make it. In order to create that situation, I came to the conclusion that I had to do this title again myself.
Interviewer
Didn't you have the option of making a different kind of work like "G-Eva"?
Anno
Just before this project, I had been working on a project that was different from "Eva" as a live-action film, but it wasn't moving forward. We decided to change the project from live-action to animation, so we reconsidered the plan for a TV animation series. I also thought that if it was possible, I could work on the theatrical version of "Eva" at the same time. At that time, I didn't plan to spend too much time on "Eva". I felt that the first and second films should be a compilation plus more, and only the last film should have a slightly different story.
Interviewer
What does this have to do with starting your own company?
Anno
When I was thinking about that anime project, Gainax was already working on other projects, and I felt that there was no room for me. The studio structure had also changed. I thought that I should avoid ruining the new structure that was already in place by me making another anime at Gainax.
Also, if I had chance to work on "Eva" again, I wanted to try something new that I couldn't do at Gainax. I thought that it would be impossible to make a work that goes beyond the limitations at the studio that had previously made Evangelion. So, I decided to start from the beginning at a completely different place.
Interviewer
I see. So you established a studio and gathered people because you decided to take on a challenge?
Anno
No, I didn't plan to set up a studio at first.
Interviewer
Is that so?
Anno
I was thinking of renting a room at some other studio and making it there. When I started the company, it was just the two of us, with Kazuki Todoroki (assistant to the general director).
Interviewer
You're talking about the Khara Office in Nishi-Shinjuku, right?
Anno
Yes, I am. I rented an office in February of 2006. After that, I rented desks, bought bookshelves, and made preparations little by little. I also asked my friends to help me with the company registration and accounting work, and it was in May that Khara, Inc. was born.
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