Hideaki Anno is a Japanese animator, director, and producer, best known for creating the influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Born on May 22, 1960, in Ube, Japan, he founded the animation studio Khara in 2006, which has produced several films and projects related to his earlier works. Anno's career began in the 1980s, where he worked on various anime projects, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. His unique storytelling and character development have made him a prominent figure in the anime industry, influencing many creators and shaping the genre's evolution.