When people think of the Japanese company Sanrio, giant robots and epic space battles are not usually the first things that come to mind. After all, Hello Kitty, along with other cute characters such as Cinnamoroll and Kuromi, tend to be Sanrio’s stock in trade. And yet, there was a time in the early 1980s when Sanrio was investing in anime, which led them down the path to ing Space Runaway Ideon, a TV and film series that aired from 1980 to 1982.

Created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, the anime legend who had just scored a hit with such as Neon Genesis Evangelion. Could it have happened without Hello Kitty?

Sunrise Steps Into the Unknown

Sanrio’s Forgotten Anime Ambitions

Following the success of Mobile Suit Gundam, Tomino sought to challenge both viewers and the medium itself by crafting a more allegorical and philosophical story. Produced by Nippon Sunrise (now Sunrise Inc.), with from Tokyu Agency, Ideon debuted on Japanese TV in May 1980. Although Sunrise was still a relatively young anime studio at the time, the success of Gundam had emboldened them to take greater creative risks, and Ideon was positioned as a follow-up that could both deepen and disrupt the expectations of anime storytelling.

Sanrio's involvement in anime at the time was broader than many people realize today. In addition to merchandising their own characters through animation, the company actively invested in theatrical projects during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Sanrio Film had ambitions of becoming a serious player in the industry, producing visually ambitious features like Nutcracker Fantasy and Unico. Although Space Runaway Ideon was not a direct Sanrio production, the company helped to fund it. Their for experimental and high-concept anime created an environment where studios like Sunrise could take creative risks. This included Tomino’s philosophical approach to the mecha genre.

A Mecha Story Unlike Any Other

The Most Devastating Ending in Anime?

The plot follows a group of Earth colonists who discover a mysterious ancient mecha, the Ideon, buried on the planet Solo. When of the alien Buff Clan attempt to retrieve the mecha's secrets, the humans are forced to flee aboard a massive solo ship, triggering a prolonged and tragic interstellar war. Communication breaks down, alliances are shattered, and the Ideon’s power only grows more destructive as both sides misunderstand each other more deeply. The series builds tension by constantly shifting its focus between survival drama, military conflict, and metaphysical mystery, making it a difficult but rewarding watch for fans looking for more than typical robot combat.

By the time Ideon concluded on television in early 1981, its abrupt and unresolved ending left viewers confused and unsatisfied. This was rectified by two feature-length films released in 1982: A , which recapped the TV series, and Be Invoked, which delivered a complete and stunning conclusion. (Hideaki Anno would use this exact approach in 1997 for the first two Neon Genesis Evangelion movies.) In Be Invoked, the Ideon reaches its full potential as a cosmic force, annihilating both humanity and the Buff Clan.

In the final moments, the souls of the dead float through the universe toward rebirth. It was one of the most devastating endings in anime history, and it continues to provoke debate among fans and critics alike. Many now regard it as a foundational moment in the evolution of adult science fiction anime.

Finding Ideon in the West

Kawaii Company, Cosmic Consequences

For viewers in North America, Space Runaway Ideon remains relatively obscure but is accessible through several streaming platforms and specialty home video releases. Discotek Media has released the series and both movies with English subtitles, making it available to a new generation of fans. While its pacing and vintage animation style may be challenging for newcomers, Ideon’s ambition and historical importance make it a must-watch for anyone interested in the roots of serious mecha storytelling.

Sanrio’s foray into anime may seem like an odd footnote to those more familiar with cute mascots and pastel stationery, but it reflects the company’s once-grand ambitions to influence visual culture far beyond the world of merchandise. Even if Sanrio was not directly involved in producing Space Runaway Ideon, the creative spirit and open-ended investment philosophy they championed during this period helped shape an era when anime could be dark, daring, and deeply meaningful. In a strange way, without Hello Kitty, there might never have been a mecha show quite like Ideon.