Key Takeaways
1. A new original Evangelion anime series is set to be announced on February 23, 2026, during a 30th-anniversary festival in Yokohama.
2. Yoko Taro, known for the NieR series, will be in charge of the script, with Kazuya Tsurumaki directing and Keiichi Okabe composing the music.
3. The production will be handled by Studio Khara and CloverWorks, who have previously collaborated on notable projects.
4. The new series may introduce new characters or revisit familiar ones, despite the previous film providing a definitive conclusion to Shinji Ikari’s story.
5. Yoko Taro’s involvement raises expectations due to his admiration for Evangelion and his track record of deep storytelling in the NieR series.
Fans of the Neon Evangelion series have something thrilling to look ahead too. On 23 February 2026, just at the end of a three-day festival celebrating the 30th anniversary of Neon Genesis Evangelion in Yokohama, a brand-new original Evangelion anime series was announced.
Exciting Details Revealed
The announcement was made through a brief video and a simple credits page on the Evangelion website, where it was noted that Yoko Taro, the mind behind the NieR series, is taking charge of the script.
Yoko Taro will lead the scriptwriting for this fresh Evangelion anime, with the project being directed by seasoned director and storyboard artist Kazuya Tsurumaki, along with Toko Yatabe, who has contributions from Evangelion: Thrice Upon a Time and Chainsaw Man. The sound designer Keiichi Okabe, renowned for his work on NieR’s iconic scores, will serve as the composer for this yet-to-be-titled Evangelion anime.
Production Insights
The production is being handled by Hideaki Anno’s Studio Khara, in collaboration with CloverWorks, who previously teamed up on Shin Godzilla and Darling in the Franxx. As of now, we still await a title, release date, or plot details for this unnamed Evangelion anime. What we do know is that it is indeed an original anime series.
The last installment in the Evangelion saga, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, came out in 2021 and provided what many deem the definitive end to Shinji Ikari’s narrative. Nevertheless, this conclusion leaves several fans curious if the new Evangelion anime will reintroduce familiar characters or bring in fresh faces.
New Directions and Expectations
It’s fascinating to see how longtime Evangelion fan and NieR creator, Yoko Taro, will uphold and navigate scriptwriting and screenplay responsibilities, especially with the original creator, Hideaki Anno, stepping back from his usual leadership role in the series.
Anno has previously indicated that he wished for a new generation to take the reins of the Evangelion franchise, similar to how Gundam allows new storytellers to weave their unique tales.
In this context, Yoko Taro emerges as a key player. In an X post, he humbly stated, “It’s been announced! I’ll do my best!”
Yoko Taro has consistently shared his admiration for Evangelion. He has mentioned in earlier interviews that Evangelion was a fundamental inspiration behind NieR: Automata. The NieR series has garnered praise for its heartfelt storytelling, intricate narratives, dark humor, shocking twists, and its willingness to delve into themes of despair and optimism.
Anticipating the Future
Because of this, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that Yoko Taro was meant to craft the next chapter in the Evangelion series. However, many enthusiasts still ponder how the untitled Evangelion anime will relate to Thrice Upon a Time, which made a strong statement about letting go and progressing in life.
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