Gainax, the Studio Behind Evangelion, Officially Shuts Down

One of the most iconic names in anime has quietly reached its final chapter. Gainax, the studio that gave the world the original Evangelion series along with beloved classics like Gunbuster and Gurren Lagann, has now been fully dissolved. The news came directly from Evangelion creator and studio co-founder Hideaki Anno, who shared the update through the Khara website.

Despite producing only a handful of major projects throughout its lifetime, Gainax earned a legendary status among fans. Its works shaped modern anime and influenced an entire generation of artists. Yet behind that creative brilliance was a company that had long struggled with instability, financial problems, and leadership controversies.

According to Anno, the studio officially ceased to exist as a corporation on December 10. This came after years of internal trouble, lawsuits, and attempts to rebuild the company’s image after multiple scandals involving former executives. Anno left Gainax in 2006 to form Khara, but he remained a shareholder and even supported the studio financially during difficult periods.

Much of Gainax’s final months were spent figuring out where its remaining assets and rights would go. Anno said that all materials, from intellectual property to production files, have now been transferred properly to their rightful creators and rights holders. For a studio that often operated in a disorganized manner, ensuring a clean transfer of its legacy was a significant final step.

In his statement, Anno also opened up about something more personal. During legal disputes and review of internal documents, he learned that several former colleagues, including longtime friends from his university days, had acted dishonestly. He shared that this discovery hurt more than any business failure, saying the situation left him feeling not anger, but deep sadness over friendships that could never return to what they once were.

However, Anno expressed gratitude to Yasuhiro Kamimura, the studio’s final president, who he said worked tirelessly to protect Gainax’s legacy and handle its remaining obligations responsibly.

For fans, the closure might not change much in the current anime landscape. Most of Gainax’s major titles, including all things Evangelion, have already been under Khara for years. Many of Gainax’s brightest creators also moved on long ago, founding studios like Trigger, which continues to produce hits with the same energetic spirit.

Still, the end of Gainax feels symbolic. It is the closing of a story filled with highs, lows, controversies, and unforgettable creations. And just like many of the shows Gainax produced, its ending is emotionally complicated, open to interpretation, and likely to be remembered in different ways by everyone who loved its work.

(via Studio Khara)

Photo by Declan Sun on Unsplash