The cultural impact of Neon Genesis Evangelion knows no bounds, so it stands to reason that its 30th anniversary is being celebrated in style. 17 years after the release of Rebuild of Evangelion, confirmed as a firm finale to Hideaki Anno’s beloved classic, a newly announced 13-minute animated short is set to premiere exclusively at an upcoming commemorative event in Japan next February.
No further details about the project, including an official title, cast, or story specifics, were shared, but Anno is returning as supervisor, planner, and writer. Naoyuki Asano, who served as animation director for 2021’s Evangelion 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time, will serve as director, alongside Rebuild of Evangelion staff members Kazuya Tsurumaki (co-director), Shinji Higuchi (storyboard artist), and Kazuki Todoroki (assistant chief director) as supervisors.
The new short is produced exclusively for the EVANGELION:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion festival, which runs from 21 to 23 February 2026 at Yokohama Arena. It will be screened once per day on an LED screen measuring 18 x 15 metres at the Stage Area, with tickets priced at 28,000 yen (S$230) for A seats, and 36,000 yen ($296) for S seats.
Alongside the main highlight, other activities include a new kabuki act, song performances, and a fan market. Studio Khara, which owns the rights to the IP from Gainax, is directing the event’s spatial and layout design, while Anno himself contributed to its title icon.
It’s not the first anniversary celebration for the franchise, either. From now to 12 January 2026, the ALL OF EVANGELION special exhibition will turn Tokyo City View into a showcase of diverse production materials, including rare animation cels, original drawings, and design documents from the original 1995 show, as well as digital assets from Rebuild of Evangelion.
Directed by Anno at Gainax, Neon Genesis Evangelion follows 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, who is recruited by the mysterious organisation NERV to pilot a giant mecha called “Evangelion” to fight against monsters known as “Angels” in a post-apocalyptic world. It originally aired from October 1995 to March 1996, and has spawned multiple movies, reboots, spin-offs, and countless brand collaborations — from a crossover with mobile title Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and PC builds from PC and peripheral company ROG, to themed hotel rooms and even rations.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
