2006

May 17
Founded Company

The founders chose an auspicious date to establish the company. The name “khara” means “joy” in Greek. Moyoco Anno, a member of the board, came up with the name. She also wrote the writing that is featured in the logo.

September 15
Established Studio khara

Established to start production on Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition tetralogy as the animation studio of khara, Inc. The writing in the logo is also by Moyoco Anno.

2007

September 1
Theatrical Animation Film EVANGELION: 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE. Released

Production / Distribution (in partnership with THE KLOCKWORX )
Produced by Studio khara
The first of Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition was produced and co-distributed by the company. It made 2 billion yen at the box office. Directed by Masayuki and Kazuya Tsurumaki, with Hideaki Anno acting as chief director.

2008

April 25
EVANGELION: 1.01 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE.
DVD Released

The 1.01 version had enhancements to the animation and sound. To heighten the tone of the film, the newly recorded 35mm film was transferred in HD. There was a special edition and a standard edition of the release. The special edition included the bonus footage Explanation of EVANGELION: 1.01 that added captions with character names and locations.

2009

May 27
EVANGELION: 1.11 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE.
Blu-ray/DVD Released

Additional animation scenes were added to the theatrical version, and readjustments were made to the animation and sound.

June 27
Theatrical Animation Film EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE. Released

Production / Distribution (in partnership with THE KLOCKWORX) / Promotion
Produced by Studio khara
The second of Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition was produced and co-distributed by the company. In addition, the promotion was also handled by the company. It made 4 billion yen at the box office. Directed by Masayuki and Kazuya Tsurumaki, with Hideaki Anno acting as chief director.

2010

May 26
EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE.
Blu-ray/DVD Released

Additional animation scenes were added, and readjustments were made to the animation and sound in comparison to the theatrical release.

2011

August 24
pair* / Meaw Music Video Released

Produced by Studio khara
The first production that was completely handled independently by the Studio khara Digital Department. The music video featured the virtual idol pair, Meaw, in full CG animation. Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi.

September 3
Live-Action Theatrical Film Kantoku-Shikkaku Released

Production (in partnership with KOINOBORI PICTURES)
The first live-action film that credits Hideaki Anno as a producer. The documentary film features the people surrounding Yumika Hayashi, an actress who passed away at the young age of 34, and how the face the issue of loss. It premiered exclusively at the TOHO CINEMAS Roppongi Hills, then expanded to a nationwide release. Music by Akiko Yano, Directed by Katsuyuki Hirano.

2012

April 6
Airing of Opening Animation to TV Program The Forefront of Contents Business JAPA-CON TV

Produced by Studio khara
The BS Fuji TV program has a theme of Japanese Contents Industry. Using that as a motif, nine animators including Hideaki Anno and Takeshi Honda drew their own parts freely to create an opening animation.
Directed by Tadashi Hiramatsu.

July 10
Museum Director Hideaki Anno’s “Tokusatsu” Special Effects Museum: Craftsmanship of Showa and Heisei Eras Seen Through Miniatures Exhibit Film A Giant Warrior Descends on Tokyo Released

Produced in partnership with Tokusatsu Laboratory
The short tokusatsu film was created to convey the appeals and possibilities of miniature tokusatsu. Hideaki Anno co-produced with Studio Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki, as well as writing the script based on writer Otaro Maijo’s words. The Giant Warrior was designed by Mahiro Maeda. Optic animation was by Hideaki Anno, and the animation was done by Studio khara. Directed by Shinji Higuchi.

November 17
Theatrical Short Live-Action Film A Giant Warrior Descends on Tokyo-Theatrical Version Released

Produced in partnership with Tokusatsu Laboratory
Released in theaters simultaneously as EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO., new fixes were added to the pictures and sound to A Giant Warrior Descends on Tokyo. Directed by Shinji Higuchi.

Theatrical Animation Film EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO. Released

Production / Distribution (in partnership with T-JOY) / Promotion
Produced by Studio khara
The third of Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition was produced and co-distributed by the company. In addition, the promotion was also handled by the company. It made 5.3 billion yen at the box office. Directed by Masayuki, Mahiro Maeda, and Kazuya Tsurumaki, with Hideaki Anno acting as chief director.

2013

April 24
EVANGELION: 3.33 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO.
Blu-ray/DVD Released

Additional animation scenes were added, and readjustments were made to the animation and sound in comparison to the theatrical release. The original soundtrack was included in the limited edition.

August 29
Majin Station Promotional Video Released

Produced by Studio khara
A full CG-animated promo was created featuring the world of LEVEL-5 video game Majin Station. Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi.

November 23
Music Film Shiro SAGISU petit film #01 Released

Produced by Studio khara
By music producer and composer Shiro Sagisu’s request, the film was made to commemorate the release of the Evangelion Piano Forte album and SHIRO’S SONGBOOK ‘Xpressions.’ An arranged version of the preview music of Neon Genesis Evanglion plays in the background as the piece features various images including tokusatsu by P Productions and rough animations by Mahiro Maeda. This film inspired the Japan Anima(tor)’s Expo that will come later. Narrated by Megumi Hayashibara. Directed by Shinji Higuchi and Mahiro Maeda.

December 29
Animated Short Super Hyperspace Protective Wall Cheese Neapolitan Released

Produced by Studio khara
Official characters of the GMO AppsCloud and ConoHa, divisions of GMO Internet, are the stars in this full-CG animation. Directed by Daisuke Onitsuka.

2014

November 7
Web Stream Animation Series Japan Anima(tor)’s Expo Begins Streaming

Production (in partnership with Dwango)
Produced by Studio khara (with some exceptions)
Under the same conditions of a set budget, length, and use of voice actors Koichi Yamadera and Megumi Hayashibara, the directors were free to make short animations with their choice of theme, method, and staff. A total of 36 shorts were created. The title letter is written by Hayao Miyazaki, colored by Toshio Suzuki. Character designed by Hideaki Anno, who also served as executive producer.

December 3
Music Video Beautiful World Released

Produced by Studio khara
The music video was created to promote singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada’s 15th anniversary tribute album Utada Hikaru no Uta: Regarding 13 Interpretations by 13 Musicians, featuring the theme song of EVANGELION 1.0: YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE. Scenes from Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition and new cuts were specially edited for the video. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki.

2015

July 18
Japan Anima(tor)’s Expo Theatrically Released

The 12 episodes of the first season and five episodes from the third season, which weren’t streamed yet, were released in theaters nationwide for a limited time. The week before the release, an event was held at the Shinjuku Wald 9. In addition to an advanced screening, 14 of the Expo directors were in attendance for a panel.

August 26
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Blu-Ray Box Released

All 26 episodes of the TV version, four episodes of the video format version (directed by Hideaki Anno), and all three theatrical films (directed by Masayuki and Kazuya Tsurumaki, cheif director Hideaki Anno) of Neon Genesis Evangelion were compiled in this Blu-ray box. This was the first time EVANGELION: DEATH was released on home video. New footage was created as a bonus, featuring behind-the-scenes filming of the live-action part.

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION DVD Box Released

All 26 episodes of the TV version was released for the first time as it was aired. In addition, the TV airing version of EVANGELION: DEATH AND REBIRTH was included. EVANGELION: DEATH (TRUE) was made available for the first time on home video.

2016

July 29
Theatrical Live-Action Film Shin Godzilla Released

Previs produced by Studio khara
Written, edited, and directed by Hideaki Anno. The previs was done by Studio khara. Previs CGI director was Takeshi Miyagi. Previs director was Hideaki Anno.

September 19
Music Video Sakura Nagashi Released

Produced by Studio khara
Featuring the theme song of EVANGELION: 3.0: YOU CAN (NOT) REDO., the music video was created to commemorate Hikaru Utada’s album Fantome. Footage from the movie, with added special effects, were edited for the video. Directed by Hibiki Yoshizaki.

October 15
Go Go Japan Anima(tor)’s Expo Released in Theaters

Twelve episodes from the second and third seasons of Anima(tor)’s Expo, as well as the premiere of the new Mobile Police Patlabor REBOOT, was released for one week only at Shinjuku Wald 9 and Umeda Burg 7.

November 23
Studio khara 10th Anniversary Commemoration: Eva of the Past and Eva of the Future, and the Current Studio khara Exhibition Film Simple History in Anime: The Big Kabu Released

Planning / Production
Produced by Studio khara
Animated version of the manga drawn by Moyoco Anno for the 10^th Anniversary Exhibit booklet. Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi.

2017

January 19
Animated Short Gravity Daze The Animation ~Ouverture~ Released

Produced by Studio khara
The short was created by the Digital Department of Studio khara to promote the PlayStation 4 video game Gravity Daze 2 by SIE Japan Studio. Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi.

February 28 / February 25
TV Animation The Dragon Dentist Aired

Production (in partnership with NHK, NEP, and Dwango)
Produced by Studio khara
A long version of the story featured in Japan Anima(tor)’s Expo aired on NHK BS Premium. Original story by Otaro Maijo. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki.