The “Evangelion: 30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion” festival concluded on Monday with an exciting reveal that has thrilled fans of the iconic anime franchise. The event featured a surprise video announcement along with a mesmerizing live cello and choral performance, marking the launch of a brand-new series referred to as the franchise’s “Next Genesis.”
This highly anticipated project is backed by notable figures in the anime industry, including series script supervisor and writer Yokō Tarō, known for his work on the NieR: Automata game and anime franchise, as well as other titles like SINoALICE. Directors Kazuya Tsurumaki and Tōko Yatabe, who have contributed to successful projects such as the Rebuild of Evangelion and Chainsaw Man, are also involved, alongside renowned musical composer Keiichi Okabe, famous for his work on the NieR series. Production duties will be handled by Studio Khara and CloverWorks, ensuring a high-quality animation experience.
Held at the Yokohama Arena from February 21 to 23, the festival exclusively showcased the “Evangelion Broadcast 30th Anniversary Special Screening,” a brand-new 13-minute anime short featuring the beloved character Asuka. The closing ceremony included a captivating performance by Yoko Takahashi, the singer behind the original opening theme song of Neon Genesis Evangelion, who presented an adapted version of the concert “Back to Neon Genesis.”
The event culminated with a preview of the “Kabuki Kōkyōkyoku Dai Kyū-ban Evangelion” (Kabuki Symphony No. 9 Evangelion) stage production, further expanding the reach of the Evangelion universe into different art forms. This celebration not only commemorated 30 years of influence and innovation in anime but also set the stage for the future of the franchise, igniting excitement among fans for what comes next. The festival has left a positive imprint, showcasing the enduring legacy and evolving narrative of Evangelion.