Gunbuster: The Birth of Hideaki Anno’s Genius

Strap in, space cadets! This week, we’re traveling back to 1988 to talk about Gunbuster, the mecha masterpiece that marked Hideaki Anno’s directorial debut. Before Neon Genesis Evangelion melted our brains and crushed our souls, Anno was already laying the groundwork for his signature blend of sci-fi spectacle, deep existential themes, and—of course—giant robots with way too much emotional baggage.

Join us as we break down the Top wo Nerae! legacy, explore the storytelling and stylistic connections between Gunbuster and Evangelion, and maybe shed a tear over six episodes of pure, high-energy, time-dilated heartbreak. Was Noriko the proto-Shinji? Is Gunbuster secretly Evangelion’s cool aunt? And how did this anime set the stage for one of the most iconic creators in the industry?

Fire up your gravity well, practice those Aim for the Top training montages, and let’s get into it! Be sure to discuss more weeb topics by joining our Discord [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/DPEtSwUN65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ].

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠imarriedaweeb.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for other ways to stream the podcast and access our merch store!

Intro Song "Don't Call" by the talented "Boyfriend Genes"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boyfriendgenes.bandcamp.com/track/dont-call