Tag: Yoko Taro

  • Yoko Taro to Write Scripts for New Evangelion Series

    Yoko Taro to Write Scripts for New Evangelion Series

    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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  • Yoko Taro Reveals Many Axed Projects Behind the Scenes

    Yoko Taro Reveals Many Axed Projects Behind the Scenes

    Key Takeaways

    1. Yoko Taro’s recent projects include “Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden,” “NieR Reincarnation,” and “404 Game Re:set,” but fans are eager for a new major NieR game.
    2. Many of Taro’s projects have been halted by Square Enix, leading to frustration among fans who wonder about his recent work.
    3. During G-CON 2025, Taro revealed that several projects he was involved in were abandoned, contributing to misconceptions about his activity.
    4. Taro emphasizes quality over quantity in game development, expressing that he prefers not to release something unless it meets his standards.
    5. His unique game concepts often clash with publisher expectations, suggesting fans may have to wait longer for future releases from Taro or the NieR series.

    While it may seem like Yoko Taro, the mastermind behind NieR, has been taking a long break since the series hit over 13 million sales, the truth is quite different. In fact, Square Enix has been halting several of Taro’s projects, much to the dismay of fans.

    Recent Projects

    The latest works from this creative director and game designer include Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden in 2022, NieR Reincarnation in 2021 (a mobile gacha game), and another mobile game titled 404 Game Re:set released in 2023. Many fans are curious about the future of the series, especially since the last major AAA game Taro worked on was NieR: Automata, which debuted in February 2017 on the PlayStation 4.

    Insights from G-CON 2025

    At G-CON 2025 in South Korea, Yoko Taro took the stage alongside Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Bayonetta, during a panel moderated by Katsuhiko Hayashi. According to a report by 4Gamer, Taro acknowledged the pressing question about his recent work. He mentioned that he had been involved in a number of projects over the years, but many of them were unfortunately abandoned before completion.

    Taro added more context:

    “There’s been a lot of projects that have been canned lately. I often hear comments like, ‘Why aren’t you making NieR?’ or ‘Yoko Taro isn’t doing anything,’ but that’s because several projects I was part of got dropped during their development.”

    A Positive Outlook

    Despite the setbacks, Taro remains optimistic, suggesting that this situation emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in an industry known for its rushed annual releases. He further explained:

    “I don’t see this as a bad thing. If I’m going to release something odd, I’d rather not release anything at all.”

    Yoko Taro has always been known for his unique and unconventional game ideas, like Drakengard, NieR, and the Voice of Cards trilogy, which often don’t get the attention they deserve. This means that his quirky concepts might not always mesh well with publishers such as Square Enix. Fans may have to wait a while longer for another game from Yoko Taro or a new NieR installment as he goes back to the drawing board.

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