Studio GAINAX Closes, These 10 Best Animes Are a Must-Watch

Kapanlagi.com - Studio Gainax, a legendary name in the anime industry, has officially been dissolved after facing a series of financial, legal, and management issues over the years. The company was officially dissolved on December 11, 2025, after the bankruptcy process concluded.

Gainax filed for bankruptcy on May 29, 2024, which was publicly announced on June 7, 2024, and on the same day ceased all its operations. This closure marks the end of a 42-year journey of a studio that has produced many iconic works.

Although it is now officially dissolved, their legacy in the anime world will never fade. Gainax is known as a studio that boldly experiments, always bringing deep stories, complex characters, and dynamic animations.

They often combine the mecha genre with psychological and philosophical themes, creating works that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. Let's dive back into some of the best anime recommendations from Gainax that you must watch!

1. Why Gainax Officially Disbanded

The dissolution of Gainax is the result of a complex and long-standing accumulation of issues, not just a single event. Several key factors that led to the studio's downfall include financial mismanagement, legal problems, leadership scandals, and the exodus of key talent.

Since around 2012, Gainax's financial situation has significantly worsened. The company was involved in various unprofitable ventures, such as managing restaurants and establishing a CG company, all of which led to a massive accumulation of debt. By 2020, Gainax's debt was reported to exceed ¥38 billion.

An internal audit in 2020 also revealed a pattern of irregular behavior over the years, including large loans from financial institutions, failure to meet payment obligations to industry partners, as well as the illegal sale or transfer of intellectual property and production materials to outside parties without the consent of the rightful owners.

These financial issues were exacerbated by a tax evasion case in 1999, where Gainax's then-president, Takeshi Sawamura, and tax accountant Yoshikatsu Iwasaki were arrested for failing to pay at least ¥560 million in corporate taxes.

In addition to financial problems, Gainax also faced various legal issues. Studio Khara, founded by one of Gainax's founders and the creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno, sued Gainax in 2016 for unpaid royalties of ¥100 million from revenues earned from works Anno worked on. This lawsuit was won by Khara in 2017, further burdening Gainax with debt.

Anno stated that during the legal proceedings, it was revealed that Gainax had acted dishonestly regarding its ability or intention to repay emergency loans provided by Khara. Ultimately, in May 2024, Gainax was sued by a debt collection company, forcing the board of directors to file for bankruptcy.

Leadership issues and scandals also played a significant role in Gainax's downfall.

In 2019, the then-president of Gainax, Tomohiro Maki, was arrested for "indecent acts" against a teenage girl who aspired to be an anime voice actress. Maki's arrest led to a "total loss of operational capacity" for the company and damaged Gainax's reputation in the eyes of investors and the public.

Hideaki Anno, in his statement, harshly criticized Gainax's dishonest and irresponsible management, including improper rights transfers and attempts to deceive creditors. Anno also mentioned that the previous management had little respect for the company, its works, and its staff.

The mass exodus of key human resources was also a severe blow to Gainax. Many talented animators and directors, including Hideaki Anno himself, who founded Studio Khara in 2006, as well as Hiroyuki Imaishi, who later founded Studio Trigger, left Gainax due to internal instability and management issues.

The departure of these creators caused Gainax to lose the ability to consistently produce high-quality and innovative anime, ultimately diminishing its relevance in the industry. Despite restructuring efforts and support from other companies like Khara, the mounting debt and poor management practices made it impossible for Gainax to survive, leading to its dissolution.

2. NEON GENESIS EVANGELION

Episode 1 of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION captivates from the storytelling and visual perspective

This anime centers on Shinji Ikari, a teenager reluctant to become the pilot of a giant robot called EVA to fight mysterious beings known as Angels. However, behind the intense mecha action, Evangelion delves into psychological trauma, depression, and profound existential questions, making it one of the most influential and discussed works in the history of anime.

3. TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN

Parade of giant mecha action in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Get ready for an epic adventure filled with spirit and explosions! Gurren Lagann tells the story of Simon, a shy digger, and his brave adoptive brother Kamina, who live in an underground village. They discover a small mecha named Lagann and embark on a journey to free humanity from the oppressive Beastmen on the surface. This anime is known for its insane scale evolution, from underground to intergalactic battles, with a message about self-belief and breaking limits.

4. FLCL

If you're looking for something truly unique and out of this world, FLCL is the answer! This 6-episode OVA series follows Naota, an ordinary boy whose life is turned upside down after being hit by a mysterious woman named Haruko Haruhara riding a Vespa and carrying a giant bass guitar. Robots begin to sprout from his head, and a bizarre adventure begins. This anime is filled with surreal visuals, cool rock music, and a confusing yet captivating narrative.

5. AIM FOR THE TOP! GUNBUSTER

Gunbuster is a classic OVA that laid the foundation for many modern mecha anime. The story follows Noriko Takaya, a young girl who aspires to become a pilot of the giant robot Gunbuster to protect Earth from aliens. This anime combines thrilling mecha action with emotional character drama, exploring themes such as hard work, friendship, and sacrifice.

6. NADIA SECRET OF BLUE WATER

Inspired by the works of Jules Verne, especially "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", Nadia is an epic adventure set in the year 1889. Nadia, a mysterious circus girl with a magical "Blue Water" pendant, meets Jean, a young inventor. Together with Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus, they fight against the evil Neo-Atlantis to save the world and uncover the secrets of Nadia's origins.

7. THE WING OF HONNEAMISE

This first anime film by Gainax is a critically acclaimed cinematic masterpiece. Set in an alternative world, the film tells the story of Shiro Lhadatt, a young man who joins the Royal Space Force, an organization aimed at launching the first human into space. The film stands out with its stunning animation, detailed world design, and serious narrative about human ambition and exploration.

8. KARESHI KANOJO NO JIJOU

For fans of school romance, Kare Kano is the perfect choice. This anime tells the story of Yukino Miyazawa and Souichirou Arima, two model students who actually have hidden sides. Yukino is a narcissist obsessed with praise, while Arima appears to be perfect but harbors secrets. The series explores the complexities of teenage relationships, social pressures, and the search for identity with humor and emotional depth.

9. PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GATHERBELT

This anime is a visual explosion and an unusual comedy! Panty & Stocking follows two angels who have been expelled from Heaven, Panty and Stocking, who must exterminate ghosts in the city of Daten City to regain their way back to Heaven. With a cartoon-inspired animation style, vulgar humor, and fast-paced action, this anime is a bold parody and highly entertaining.

10. MAGICAL SHOPPING ARCADE ABENOBASHI

Join Sasshi and Arumi, two childhood friends, on a wild adventure across various parallel realities. After an accident, they find themselves thrown into a fantasy world of swords and magic, then into a science fiction world, war, and other genres, all of which are manifestations of Sasshi's otaku interests. This anime is a surreal comedy filled with pop culture parodies and anime references, while still touching on more serious themes of loss and friendship.

11. OTAKU NO VIDEO

This is a "mockumentary" that provides a funny and sometimes touching look at otaku culture in Japan in the early 90s. The story follows Ken Kubo, a young man whose life changes after meeting a group of otaku. The anime combines animated segments with "real" (actually acted) interviews to explore the obsessions, dreams, and challenges of being an otaku, while also giving a satirical glimpse into Gainax's own early history.

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