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Anno Jokes That 4th New Evangelion Film Might Be 4-6 Years After 3rd One

Director Hideaki Anno discussed the possible timeframe for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0, the fourth film in his four-part remake of Gainax's Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series, at a discussion event at Tokyo's TOHO Cinemas Nihonbashi on Monday. He said, "I'll get to it. I kept you waiting, but since Evangelion: 1.0 came out in 2007, 2.0 in 2009, and 3.0 in 2012, there's been two to three years between films. Wouldn't it be nice if the next one comes four years — no, six years [after 3.0]. (laughs) No, I'll do my best."

Variety reported on Anno's comments on Evangelion at the Tokyo International Film Festival a day earlier: "I am definitely doing it, but I have to do this sort of thing [such as Animator Expo] as well. I'm thinking that I'll return to Evangelion after I do something different."

At the talkshow event in Tokyo on Monday, Anno also talked about his relationship with Hayao Miyazaki, and how Miyazaki talked to him in times of need. Anno mentioned that after the Evangelion television series was finished, "I was frazzled, but in reality I was close to death." He added that at that time many people helped him, but the one who really saved him was Miyazaki.

Anno said that Miyazaki called him after the Evangelion television series ended after hearing a rumor that Anno was in danger. At that time Miyazaki told Anno, "I've felt the same way. It's OK to rest. Until you are able to create something again, it's OK to rest as much as you want. Because if it's you ... both people and money will gather." Anno said that Miyazaki's words really put him at ease.

More recently, Miyazaki told Anno that it was OK if he quit, but immediately afterward said, "No, it's best if you do it. Because you said you'd try your hardest to the end, you will accomplish it." While talking about the fourth Evangelion film, Anno said while wiping away tears, "Even now, when I remember it, I cry. It's really painful to remember."

Source: Oricon