Thirty years after it first changed the face of anime, Evangelion is returning with an entirely new series. The announcement was made on February 23 at Yokohama Arena during the final day of “Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion,” a large-scale festival marking three decades of the franchise.
Described as a “completely new” project, the upcoming series signals a fresh start rather than a continuation, with production being led by Studio Khara and CloverWorks. The series composition and screenplay will be handled by Yoko Taro, renowned for his work on the NieR: Automata series and his unpredictable, emotional storytelling. Direction will be shared by Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toko Yatabe, with music by Keiichi Okabe. Further details including the storyline and release date have yet to be revealed.
From the 1995 TV Series to a Cultural Landmark
The story began in 1995 with Neon Genesis Evangelion, a television series set in a world under siege by mysterious beings known as Angels. Teenagers are recruited to pilot towering bio-mechanical weapons called Eva — humanity’s last line of defense. What set the series apart was not just its apocalyptic spectacle, but its psychological depth and existential themes.
The franchise was later rebuilt for a new generation with a series of films starting in 2007, culminating in 2021’s Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. The film surpassed ¥10 billion at the Japanese box office and was widely seen as a fitting farewell from its creator Hideaki Anno.
The Franchise Moves Forward
For many fans, the 2021 film felt like the end of the franchise, which is why the announcement of a brand-new series came as such a shock.
The anniversary festival itself featured exhibitions, stage events and the franchise’s first kabuki performance. A new 13-minute short film, written and supervised by Anno and directed by Naoyuki Asano, was also screened during the festival, featuring an alternate universe with Asuka as the protagonist.
The expansion goes beyond the screen. Fans will also be able to step directly into the franchise’s universe this spring. Nagasaki theme park Huis Ten Bosch has announced a new immersive ride opening in spring 2026. Billed as Japan’s first 8K flying theater attraction, the experience will combine ultra-high-definition visuals with motion, sound and special effects to fully immerse guests in the world of Evangelion.
