During a 2014 talk show held as part of the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival’s special program, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” creator Hideaki Anno reflected on his fascination with utility poles — remarks later published in .

While discussing his 2000 live-action film “Shiki-Jitsu” shot in his hometown of Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the award-winning animator and director described growing up near factories and said that he has long been drawn to industrial landscapes and masses of steel.

“There’s a movement in political circles to get rid of utility poles, but our cities are visually dull enough as it is,” he said.