Gunbuster, known in Japan as Top o Nerae! , is a Japanese original video animation (OVA) series produced by Bandai Visual, Victor Entertainment, and Gainax. It was released from October 1988 to July 1989. It was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno, best known as the creator and director of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The title is a combination of the titles of classic tennis manga and anime Aim for the Ace! and hit action drama film Top Gun, whose plots inspired Gunbuster's.