Hideaki Anno Doubles Down: Overseas Fans Must Adapt to Japanese Storytelling, Not Vice Versa

Visionary director Hideaki Anno, the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, recently reaffirmed his firm stance on creative direction, asserting that international audiences must adjust to Japanese narrative styles rather than creators tailoring content for global appeal. Anno made it clear in a new interview that despite the massive international buzz surrounding his projects, production committees pushing for an overseas focus have not changed his approach.

“I personally never made anything with the overseas audience in mind. I can only make domestic stuff,” Anno stated plainly. He pointed to the inherent language and cultural gap as the primary obstacle to universal understanding.

While visual and sound elements can bridge some distance in film, Anno explained that the core dramatic structure relies on scripts rooted deeply in Japanese emotional context and thought processes. He believes works developed through this specific lens “can only be understood in Japanese,” meaning international success depends entirely on fans actively grasping those cultural nuances.

Anno referenced his self-produced Shin Evangelion Theatrical Version, known globally as Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. He noted that even during that project, where he controlled everything from script to promotion, overseas marketability was not a driving factor.

This position aligns with Anno's long-held philosophy: prioritize domestic resonance first and expect international fans to bridge the cultural divide themselves. While he acknowledged director Takashi Yamazaki for successfully thinking globally, Anno reaffirmed that maintaining a distinctly Japanese sensibility is Japan's creative advantage.

He concluded with a direct message to the global fanbase: “I'm sorry, but the audience will have to be the one to adapt.”