Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast *PREVIEW* Lions Led By Robots 23: Going to Child Prison
Jan 14, 2026
The hosts dive into the intriguing world of Studio Gainax, discussing its decline and the alleged financial misconduct following the success of Evangelion. They analyze Shinji's moral dilemmas and the complex dynamics of pilot treatment. There's a fresh take on Tokyo-3 as a potentially artificial city, and a discussion on the growth of Rei's character and agency. Listeners can expect dense narrative layers in upcoming installments, along with thoughts on scarce merchandise and disappointing commentary. Buckle up for a deep dive into the mind-bending lore!
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Gainax’s Slow Creative Collapse
- Gainax, the original studio behind Evangelion, has effectively ceased meaningful operations and been dismantled over years.
- Joe and Nate link the studio's decline to leadership departures and corporate fracturing that hollowed its creative core.
Anno Left With Evangelion Rights
- Nate explains Anno left Gainax and formed Studio Khara, taking Evangelion rights and much of the talent.
- Joe and Nate describe years of studio spin-offs like Trigger and the licensing structure that followed.
Profits Fueled Financial Misconduct
- Joe and Nate argue that Evangelion's massive profits led to internal corruption and alleged embezzlement at Gainax.
- They imply financial mismanagement and greed followed the franchise's success, accelerating the studio's downfall.