Atsushi Nishigori Launches Original Anime Anthology Project Grotesqqque

Atsushi Nishigori is pivoting to unconstrained personal storytelling with the anime anthology project Grotesqqque, according to a report by Polygon.

The director and animator has spent decades navigating major studio systems in Japan. Early in his career at Gainax, Nishigori worked alongside prominent industry figures such as Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuya Tsurumaki on benchmark productions including FLCL and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Over the following years, Nishigori built an extensive portfolio across varied commercial formats. His credits include work on The Idolmaster, directing the sci-fi series Darling in the Franxx, and contributing to the blockbuster theatrical release Shin Evangelion.

Despite his regular involvement in major commercial releases, Nishigori maintained a distinct backlog of visual ideas that could not easily fit existing production pipelines, Polygon reported. Grotesqqque serves as a dedicated vehicle to translate those personal concepts into finished animation.

For the broader anime market, director-driven original anthologies remain a counterweight to standard manga and light novel adaptations. As production committees continue to prioritize safe, proven intellectual property, seasoned creators often rely on prestige original projects to experiment with visual styles and retain creative autonomy.