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Interview: Gainax's Hiroyuki Yamaga

From a western perspective, we see a lot of things that look like the Japanese government is pressuring studios to "clean up" in some ways, especially in relation to lolicon materials. Do you feel that the government is pressuring companies? Where do you think it will lead in the end?

Yeah, they're trying to pass a law. I think the rule is kind of stupid and ridiculous, if they pass it then the censorship would be pretty ridiculous. But I think my job is to bring animation right up to the boundary of the censorship, because fans will want to see it — but not make it illegal.

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From a western perspective, we see a lot of things that look like the Japanese government is pressuring studios to "clean up" in some ways, especially in relation to lolicon materials. Do you feel that the government is pressuring companies? Where do you think it will lead in the end? Yeah, they're trying to pass a law. I think the rule is kind of stupid and ridiculous, if they pass it then the censorship would be pretty ridiculous. But I think my job is to bring animation right up to the boundary of the censorship, because fans will want to see it — but not make it illegal.

I love this guy! Somehow I knew Gainax wouldn't be kowtowing to the moral bullying and violation of freedom of expression this law represents. It's a shame that he and other creators don't appear to have much control over whether it passes.

Justin Sevakis said that for Eva 1.0, Khara demanded that it be given a "theatrical run" (as a matter of prestige?) even though FUNimation told them this would lose money and they couldn't possibly run it in enough theaters to break even (it was only ever in 6 theaters at a given time, and proportionately earned good profit at each, but this couldn't equal the cost of making movie prints)

I'd never realized that OP/ED songs were choosen by music sponsers. It makes sense though. Very interesting.

Haha oh yes I knew Gainax was not a big-budget company after readin Memoirs of Madness. I wish that book went more into the creative side of things than the business side though.

But if moe was really selling that well, we'd probably do it too . . . Even I don't know what really makes us so unique from other companies . . . I think Gainax isn't that different from other studios. We have the same amount of "otaku." I don't think I can become an otaku

FUNimation hasn't been offered it *yet* or it hasn't been offered it *at all*?

TheBlackPaladin wrote:

FUNimation hasn't been offered it *yet* or it hasn't been offered it *at all*?

That's like asking "it hasn't rained today or hasn't rained yet?" - until midnight you don't know, especially when it comes to anime companies who dislike simple yes or no answers at the best of times..

Actually are you talking about The Notenki Memoirs? Whatever the title, I HIGHLY recommend that anyone interested enough in Gainax to read the interview, participate in this thread or watch their anime should read this book.