On the Evangelion: thirtieth Anniversary occasion, we discovered that legendary anime Neon Genesis Evangelion is being revived as a TV sequence with none apart from Yoko Taro (maybe finest often known as the author and director of the Nier online game franchise) fielding the brand new sequence’ composition and screenplay. 

There’s quite a bit to interrupt down about this surprising (although undoubtedly thrilling) announcement, however let’s begin with Neon Genesis Evangelion itself. Launched in 1995, the unique Neon Genesis Evangelion was thought of a groundbreaking anime that helped usher in a brand new period for anime storytelling that we’re largely nonetheless having fun with at the moment. 

Neon Genesis Evangelion adopted a gaggle of pilots who management large mechs often known as Evangelions. Designed to fight highly effective creatures often known as Angels, these mechs are literally synchronized with their pilots’ nervous programs, which makes them, amongst different issues, an extension of their pilots’ psychological state and common well-being. That premise is the idea for a narratively and thematically complicated sequence that explored psychological well being and existence itself by way of the lens of heavy non secular imagery. Regardless of its appreciable thematic depth and infrequently difficult subject material, Neon Genesis Evangelion grew to become a large cultural sensation in Japan and a shock hit within the West, the place it helped launch a renewed world curiosity in anime. 

Although Neon Genesis Evangelion has lived on by way of the power of its supply materials, retellings, books, and spin-offs, the sequence has been comparatively dormant for fairly a while as far as main new initiatives go. A live-action adaptation has been kicked round for ages however by no means actually acquired off the bottom. The studio behind the unique anime sequence (Studio Gainax) have additionally suffered by way of a lot of incidents and struggles that ultimately resulted within the firm submitting for chapter in 2024. Taken from that perspective, the announcement of such a serious new entry within the sequence is, in and of itself, a reasonably large deal. 

However it’s the Yoko Taro issue that actually places this announcement excessive. Thanks largely to his work on the Drakengard video games and their spin-off/sequel sequence, the Nier titles, Taro has established himself as one of the ingenious, proficient, and… eccentric artistic abilities in gaming at the moment. His tales not often observe something near a linear construction and as an alternative make the most of the distinctive capabilities of the gaming medium to discover typically darkish topics (typically loss of life, battle, and our relationship with different types of violence). His work has cultivated a tradition of obsession in some circles and even those that don’t fairly subscribe to his creations so enthusiastically typically admit that it’s undeniably distinct. 

That distinct voice seems like a probably nice match for the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Taro has already promised to do his finest with the franchise. 

Taro will likely be joined by administrators Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toru Yatabe, composer Keiichi Okabe, and manufacturing studios Studio Khara × CloverWorks on the brand new sequence. There isn’t any phrase relating to its manufacturing schedule, plot, solid, or premiere launch window, however keep tuned for additional updates.