In 1995, Hideaki Anno wrote and directed the controversial anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion". This show became popular in Japan among anime fans and became known to the general public through mainstream media attention. It is believed that Anno originally wanted the show to be the ultimate "otaku" anime, designed to revive the declining anime industry, but midway through production he also made it into a heavy critique of the subculture. It culminated in the successful but controversial film "The End of Evangelion" which grossed over $10 million in 1997. The many violent and sexual scenes in "Evangelion" caused TV Tokyo to increase censorship of anime content. As a result, when "Cowboy Bebop" was first broadcast in 1998, it was shown heavily edited and only half the episodes were aired; it too gained heavy popularity both in and outside of Japan.