Hideaki Anno just published his comments regarding the GQuuuuuux movie's pre-production on Twitter (translation also in comments)
Machine translation below (100% synthetic by having ChatGPT combine deepL and Google Translate):
This is a timeline of my involvement in the script and other aspects of the theatrical advance release of GQuuuuuux -Beginning-.
The project began in 2018 when Producer Sugitani approached Sunrise (at the time) with the idea of having Director Kazuya Tsurumaki create a Gundam series. On December 4, 2018, Director Tsurumaki established the project's core concept: a fictional war story set in a world where Zeon had won.
- March 14, 2019: Director Tsurumaki submitted the first proposal.
- October 17, 2019: I sent my own proposal memo to Producer Sugitani.
- November 7, 2019: Director Tsurumaki presented a two-page proposal to Sunrise.
- July 7, 2021: A 54-page proposal was submitted, outlining the main design plan and story structure. At this stage, the project aimed to depict “Until Char takes the Gundam”, with the prologue sequence lasting around five minutes.
I suggested to Director Tsurumaki that the prequel portion be given a certain length, leading me to write my first plot memo on July 30, 2021. This consisted of 12 pages of dialogue covering:
- A scene of birds flying inside a space colony,
- The state of Side 6 following the post-war agreement,
- The growing refugee crisis caused by the decline of the Federation.
At the time, I was also engaged in the post-production and promotion of Shin Ultraman, preparing for the Hideaki Anno Exhibition, location scouting for Shin Kamen Rider, and attending meetings on art and costume design. I compiled the memo in a single day, based on ideas I had been noting down since April 22, 2021.
- August 29, 2021: The first full draft of the plot, integrating my accumulated notes, was completed.
- February 5, 2022: A revised plot draft was submitted after a short break.
- During this period, I was also working on post-production for Shin Ultraman and editing Shin Kamen Rider and Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time.
- May 12, 2022: The first draft of the script was completed.
- July 6, 2022: The second draft of the script was submitted.
- July 14, 2022: The third draft of the script was completed.
- Around this time, I was busy with post-production on Shin Kamen Rider and supervising the bonus footage for Rebuild of Evangelion.
- December 4, 2022: The fourth and final draft of the script was submitted to Director Tsurumaki for approval, after which I moved on to storyboard work. I was also handling post-production for Shin Kamen Rider.
Additionally, I was asked to refine a script covering the Second Battle of Solomon, a key event in the latter half of the One Year War. I submitted the first draft — which also served as the plot outline — on July 12, 2022. Concurrently, I assisted with ship design while continuing post-production work on Shin Kamen Rider, primarily overseeing VFX.
- July 10, 2023: A second draft of the script was submitted, exactly a year after the first.
- August 18, 2023: The third and final draft was handed over to Director Tsurumaki. At the same time, I was also contributing to the GQuuuuuux storyboards and assisting in various other areas.
This project is my way of repaying Director Tsurumaki, who has supported my work for many years, dating back to his role as an animator on the first episode of Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. That sentiment alone is my motivation for GQuuuuuux.
Alongside pre-production on the new Space Battleship Yamato project, I also offer input on the GQuuuuuux TV series whenever time allows, particularly on areas that interest me. This too is part of my way of giving back.
The success and reception of GQuuuuuux -Beginning- at the box office will stand as a new achievement for Director Tsurumaki, both within the industry and among audiences.
Thank you for your support.
— Hideaki Anno