After years of swearing off sequels, Shoji Kawamori returned to Macross with not one, but two new Macross projects in simultaneous production.
Another Shelved Gainax Project: Olympia
During the studio’s lean years after Nadia, Gainax briefly developed a new animated sci-fi project. While little information on it has been shared publicly, there’s evidence to suggest Olympia’s troubled production left a lasting impact on the studio.
Patlabor 2 and The Graf Zeppelin
A super brief look at a bit of history that may have influenced Mamoru Oshii’s Patlabor 2.
Before Megazone 23: The Early Mecha & Character Designs of Omega City 23
A brief look at some of the early design work created by ARTMIC artists for Omega City 23 while it was still planned as a television series.
Kickin’ it With The Tominoko Tribe
Gundam fans dancing in the streets in Tokyo circa 1980. Who were the Tominoko Tribe?
Bandai, The Post-Gundam Wave, and the Year 1985
With the gunpla boom in decline and TV robot anime losing its luster, in 1985 Bandai began to look for new ways to embrace older fans and early otaku.
More Than A Coincidence: Notes on Xardion and Gunbuster
Stephen revisits Xardion to talk a bit about its similarities with an earlier Gainax project, Aim for the Top! Gunbuster.
Go Nagai’s Horror Zone
During the video boom of the late ’80s, manga legend Go Nagai was involved in a series of live-action horror compilations and and films.
Before Hideaki Anno: A Production History of the Original Shin Kamen Rider
Long before the creator of Evangelion had the chance to reimagine one of his favorite superhero shows, Shin Kamen Rider: Prologue debuted on home video with an adult, edgy spin to celebrate Kamen Rider’s 20th anniversary.
Catch the Dougram Diorama Caravan
In the midst of the gunpla boom, Takara slapped some Dougram decals on a van and toured Japanese hobby shops to promote their model kits and encourage kids to create their own mecha model dioramas.