NEO is a minimally invasive brain-computer interface device from a Shanghai startup that has received commercial approval in China, which has designated BCI as a national strategic priority.
China has elevated brain-computer interface technology to a national strategic industry in its five-year plan. On the same day, a Shanghai startup received approval for NEO, a minimally invasive BCI device placed on the brain's protective membrane. The company claims NEO is the world's first commercial invasive BCI, ahead of Elon Musk's Neuralink in the commercial timeline.
The coordinated policy and regulatory move positions China as a leader in the BCI space. The device's approval marks a concrete step in the country's push to commercialize brain-computer interfaces, a field that has seen intense global competition. NEO's minimally invasive design differs from fully implanted systems, placing electrodes on the brain's protective membrane rather than penetrating brain tissue.
No further details about NEO's specifications, clinical trials, pricing, or availability have been disclosed in the stories provided. The device's approval and China's strategic designation represent the only confirmed facts about this entity.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
Dengeki Hobby Web reports that the Neo Dynamite Action line is adding the Daiapolon Anime Color Ver., a painted finished figure of the UFO Warrior Daiapolon. It can separate and combine into three units: Apollo Header, Apollo Trangoo, and Apollo Legger. The figure includes series weapons, optional hand parts, a Space Clear, and mini UFO fighter figures. Pre-orders are open at Rakuten Books.
Bandai Spirits is launching a new Gundam figure brand called ABSOLUTE ACT, built around the ABSOLUTE ACTION SYSTEM for articulation. The first entry is the Strike Freedom Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, which received its world first display at TOKYO Toy Show 2026, running from August 27 to August 30, 2026. The approximately 185mm tall ABS/PVC figure features movable mechanisms in the neck, shoulders, and waist, plus a waist rail mechanism and shoulder pull-out mechanism for dynamic posing. It includes a high-energy beam rifle, two beam sabers, a connected saber handle, two beam shields, interchangeable wrist parts, and a base with a bendable support rod. Reservations begin August 27, 2026, at general retail stores, with release scheduled for March 2027 at 16,500 yen including tax. TOKYO Toy Show 2026's first two days are trade-only, with public access on August 29 and 30. The show also featured other Gundam items at the Bandai Spirits booth, including Gundam Miximize Gundam Zero and HG 1/144 Gundam Zero.
AYANEO has released the Konkr Pocket Advance, an Android-based handheld with a design modeled on the Game Boy Advance. The 3.5-inch LCD display has a 3:2 aspect ratio at 960x640 resolution. It runs Android 12 on a MediaTek Helio G90T, with a 4000mAh battery. Two models are on sale: $89 with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, and $109 with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Good Smile Company's MODEROID DX-SCALE line is getting a large Evangelion Unit-01 kit from Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition. Standing about 260mm tall, it features movable joints, molded colors, clear parts, pre-painted parts, and decals. Some armor reacts to blacklight. A LUMINOUS SET EDITION, sold at the Good Smile Company official shop, adds a glowing head and two blacklight stands. Both release in June 2027.
RayNeo will release the AR glasses "RayNeo GT Max" on September 4. The price is undecided. The GT Max connects to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and other video-output devices to deliver a large-screen experience. It uses the Vision 4000 video processing chip and the Zone 360 spatial computing chip for high-definition video and 3DoF spatial display. The display is a 5.5th-generation dual-layer Micro OLED supporting full HD and 120Hz. The optical system, called Peacock Optical Engine 3.0 Max, uses a flat prism method and achieves a 59-degree field of view, showing a screen equivalent to 267 inches at 6 meters. Connected to the RayNeo Pocket TV Pro streaming box, it can display Dolby Vision content. Audio is handled by four speakers supervised by Bang & Olufsen. The official website is live, and registration offers an early purchase price and a 5,000 yen discount coupon. The product is available through Amazon, Rakuten, DMM, and Yahoo! Shopping.
MegaHouse will release the Realistic Model Series Mobile Suit Gundam UC 1/144 HG Use Nahel Argama Catapult Deck (UC ver.) in late August 2026 for 44,000 yen. The RMS Catapult Deck display line returns with seven newly sculpted, pre-painted mini figures including Banagher and Marida. The three catapults rearrange into Center Catapult Mode and Side Catapult Mode, launch bay hatches open and close, and the top surface lights up with LEDs. Decks connect for a three-deck panoramic display.
Premium Bandai will run a lottery sale for the Future GPX Cyber Formula Super Asurada 01 Circuit Mode NEON Ver. from August 20 to September 7, 2026. The 4,290 yen figure includes a display case and etched nameplate. Lottery winners can apply for the MegaHobby EXPO 2026 Zenis Asurada ride experience.
Sega will release two prize figures from The End of Evangelion starting September 18. The XrossLink series figures depict Unit-02 and the EVA Mass Production Unit in battle poses. Each stands about 10 by 16 to 18 centimeters, and displaying them together recreates the film's intense confrontation.
The Evangelion 30th anniversary exhibition 'ALL OF EVANGELION' will run from September 4 to October 12, 2026, at the new PARCO HALL in Nagoya PARCO. Weekday visitors will receive one of five original postcards featuring Shinji, Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Kaworu, while supplies last. Newly drawn banners will also appear in the Osu shopping district from August 1.
OPNeon Games announced on August 16 that the card shop management simulation game TCG Card Shop Simulator will officially leave early access on September 15, 2026. The full release will arrive exactly two years after early access began on September 15, 2024. Alongside the PC version, the game will launch simultaneously on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. The announcement came with a new release trailer. The game currently sits in early access for PC (Steam/Microsoft Store) and Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One, and is available on Xbox/PC Game Pass. The full release update will make the in-game trading card game Tetramon playable, allowing players to battle with cards they have purchased or opened. The game has received over 46,000 user reviews on Steam, earning an Overwhelmingly Positive rating, with 96% of approximately 47,000 reviews positive at the time of writing. It has sold over 3.5 million copies as of June 2026. Pre-orders for the PS5 version have begun, with a 15% discount for PS Plus subscribers, bringing the price to 1,963 yen. The game costs 2,600 yen on Steam and supports Japanese.
New merchandise for the Evangelion 30th Anniversary Exhibition "ALL OF EVANGELION" at the Nagoya venue includes palm-sized plush mascots of Shinji, Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Kaworu, based on newly drawn illustrations and featuring key chains. The exhibition runs from September 4 to October 12, 2026, at PARCO HALL.
ByteRockers' Games announced a partnership with Elysium Game Studio for NEO BERLIN 2087, a cyberpunk detective game set in 2087 Berlin. The game follows detective Nolan as he investigates a conspiracy while protecting Natalie. It launches in 2028 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a gamescom 2026 media preview.
UNIKAT Label announced NEO VANDAL, an incremental game developed by SilkRoad Interactive, and opened its Steam store page. Set in a cyberpunk world, the player destroys corporate assets to earn money, then spends it on weapon upgrades to destroy more efficiently. Runs are time-limited, but an overtime option extends the destruction with the risk of getting caught and losing everything. The game also includes storylines about corporate conflicts and underground hacker conspiracies. It is in development for PC.
GEEKS RULE is holding a world tour with PARCO, selling collaboration T-shirts based on Chainsaw Man, Dandadan, and Neon Genesis Evangelion across three cities. The tour starts in Taipei on August 1, moves to Hong Kong on August 8, and ends in Seoul on September 5. Six shirt designs are available, with some items planned for later release in Japan.
Tohakusha opened details for the fifth Identity V creator collaboration, themed Okinawaneo. Original goods using newly drawn illustrations go on sale August 8 at Don Quijote Akihabara, with online orders starting August 31. Four illustrators contribute character art.
KRAFTON and Neon Giant announced that The Ascent has surpassed 12 million total players in the five years since its 2021 release. A large quality improvement update is planned for November 2026 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, alongside a roadmap for the franchise.
Square Enix announced at FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Berlin that Mahiro Maeda will join the collaboration alliance raid Ghost of Desire, planned for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail. Maeda, an animator affiliated with Khara, will handle numerous designs for the Neon Genesis Evangelion crossover.
Criterion Channel will add the Neon Genesis Evangelion television anime and the Evangelion: Death (True)² and The End of Evangelion films on September 1. GKIDS licensed the titles in 2020. The original anime and films had long been out of print in North America.
De Agostini Japan opened reservations on August 4 for Evangelion Osechi 2027, a limited-quantity New Year's food set themed on Neon Genesis Evangelion. The set costs 23,650 yen including tax, with orders accepted until November 30 and delivery scheduled for December 30, 2026. The centerpiece is an original-design jubako box marked with the NERV logo, the words "NERV ONLY" and "TOP SECRET," and the unit numbers EVA-01 and EVA-02. Inside are 37 varieties of Japanese and Western dishes arranged in two tiers: the first tier uses the unit colors of Unit-00, Unit-01, and Unit-02, while the second tier expresses the pilot characters through selected ingredients, including a hamburg steak and broccoli dish inspired by Shinji's lunchbox and a truffle-flavored fruit fromage in Kaworu's image color. The set also includes a water-repellent furoshiki printed with the A.T. Field, paper coasters featuring the five pilots in New Year's attire, celebratory chopsticks with a Unit-01 wrapper, a Lance of Longinus-shaped pick about 15 cm long, and character decoration picks. Planning and manufacturing is by Yamafuku Co., Ltd., with manufacturing consigned to Oichi Chinmi Co., Ltd. The product is frozen and quick-frozen at a domestic factory.
NEOWIZ released the download version of Lies of P: Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 on August 6, 2026, priced at 7,980 yen including tax. The Complete Edition bundles the base game Lies of P with the expansion content Lies of P: Overture, a prequel to the main story. Developed by ROUND8 Studio, the souls-like action RPG reimagines the fairy tale The Adventures of Pinocchio in the Belle Époque-inspired city of Krat, following the protagonist Zeppet's Puppet as it pursues its fate and the truth hidden in the world. The Switch 2 version has performance optimized for the console, and a post-launch update enables smoother graphics in handheld mode. It also includes difficulty adjustment options and challenge modes added with the DLC release. A packaged version, produced in partnership with iam8bit, is scheduled for October 2, 2026, priced at 7,900 yen. The base game and Overture together have surpassed 4 million cumulative sales worldwide, excluding subscriptions. Game director Choi Ji-won called the Switch release a historic moment for the team.
Neowiz announced on July 23, 2026, that the Brown Dust 2 title screen is being reverted to the previous White Reaper design, following Google's review standards and operational policies. The change has been distributed on Google Play and will come to iOS during the next maintenance. The earlier 3rd anniversary screen featuring Holy Justia had already been adjusted for iOS on July 2 due to App Store policies.
KADOKAWA has revealed the newly drawn illustrations for the mini shikishi included in the limited edition of "Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Art Collection EVANGELION," scheduled for release on November 10, 2026. The four mini shikishi each feature a newly drawn illustration of Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Soryu, and Kaworu Nagisa. The art collection collects approximately 200 pages of illustrations from the Evangelion series that Yoshiyuki Sadamoto has created over the years. The limited edition comes in a B4 variant size, housed in a box, and includes 15 reproduction original artworks. The price is 17,600 yen (tax included). At Kadostore, a set of three A4-size clear files will be available as a purchase bonus. The art collection is published by KADOKAWA and has an ISBN of 978-4-04-117498-2. A special page is available on the KADOKAWA website.
At Wonder Festival 2026 Summer, held in late July 2026, the AmiAmi Hobby Camp booth featured a wide array of new figure displays from multiple manufacturers. Dengeki Hobby Web reported on colored samples of 'DaiBros Core' Rage Nightveil, 'Girls' Frontline 2' 1913 Battlecruiser, and 'NIKKE' Bay, along with prototypes from 'Warship Girls R' and 'Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium' SOP. Other notable exhibits included painted samples of 'Gakuen Idolmaster' Fujita Kotone, 'Sakura Wars' Sakura Shinguji, and 'Evangelion' Rei and Asuka. The Alphamax booth showcased 'Azur Lane' Prinz Eugen and Kansas figures, plus 'Brown Dust II' Frozen Queen Wilhelmina. At the Koi Koi booth, painted samples based on illustrations by Kekemotsu and Michihasu appeared, alongside a prototype of 'To LOVE-Ru' Lala Satalin Deviluke in a swimsuit. Original character figures by DISH, including 'Shibuna Pharaoh' and a tentative 'D-chan', also drew attention. The event featured a mix of licensed properties and original creations from various studios and illustrators.
NEOWIZ has appointed Chris Chung, former CPO of Wargaming, as head of its new Global Business Group. The company also restructured into three business units: New Game Development Group, Global Business Group, and Live Game Business Group. The move aims to strengthen global publishing and IP portfolio after the success of Lies of P.
The official Evangelion side novel Evangelion ANIMA, written by mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita, is being adapted into an audiobook. Volume 1 is available on Audible, with subsequent volumes releasing from around August 2026. Narrator Sasaki Aitani voices multiple characters.
Blitzway has begun accepting pre-orders for the Carbotix Evangelion Unit-01 action figure, designed with a focus on realistic functionality and die-cast metal construction. The standard version costs 36,300 yen, while a DX version with a hangar is priced at 58,300 yen. Pre-orders opened June 30.
Tohakusha Inc. will exhibit the Identity V Hokkaidoneo collaboration project at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2 to July 5. The booth at FavoriteSpot will sell goods with newly drawn illustrations by participating creators including Roitz, Nashiko Kotobuki, KEKI, Ryota-H, and TAKOLEGS.
Designer Mikio Sakabe, under the label MIKIOSAKABE, has announced a collaboration with the Evangelion series. Seven types of shoes and bags will be released, incorporating visual elements from the series. Orders open July 8 through the MIKIOSAKABE & JennyFax online store, with an in-person order event in Tokyo on July 18-19.
Bandai will release Donjara NEO Chiikawa, a renewed board game set featuring an anime design, at toy stores from July 25. The set includes 10 games for 2 to 4 players, such as a weed-pulling game and a subjugation game. The frame splits for portability and outdoor play. Price is 5,280 yen.
Blitzway Japan announced pre-orders for the CARBOTIX Evangelion Unit-01 die-cast action figure, opening June 30, 2026. The figure comes in a standard edition and a DX Ver. with a hangar diorama. The standard edition costs 36,300 yen, the DX Ver. 58,300 yen, with shipments scheduled for December 2026.
Yoko Takahashi's 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' from Neon Genesis Evangelion took the top spot in TBS' Japan's Strongest Anime Songs Best 100 ranking, voted on by 166 music professionals from 41 countries. Naruto Shippuden's 'Blue Bird' and Dragon Ball Z's 'CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA' placed second and third, respectively.
GOP Co. has started the early pre-play of the limited-time Season Server 2026 'Super Conqueror Battlefield' for PC MMORPG N-AGE ONLINE NEO. The season offers up to 8,000% experience bonus, new Stardust weapon rewards for top-ranked players in each class, a Premium VIP item with location-memory teleportation, a new pet growth system, and a Pet Breeder Championship event. Growth results can be transferred to the regular server.
AYANEO announced the Pocket MICRO 2, a successor to its Game Boy Micro-style Android handheld. The device upgrades to a Snapdragon 865-class custom processor, which the company claims delivers roughly 220% better performance than the original. It retains a 3.5-inch 960x640 LCD screen and runs Android 13, with prices starting at $239.
The post-AI band NEON ONI, born from songs generated by the music AI Suno, has been selected as a finalist in the Japanese qualifiers for Wacken Open Air, the world's largest metal festival. The project recruited live musicians after its AI-generated tracks went viral online, and now performs as a physical band blending AI composition with human performance.
GU will release a collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion starting June 22. The lineup includes four vintage-style T-shirts featuring characters and Evangelion units, priced at 1,990 yen each.
G·O·P Co., Ltd. announced the limited-time Season Server 2026 "Super Conqueror Battlefield" for PC MMORPG N-AGE ONLINE NEO. Early Pre-Play begins after maintenance on June 25, 2026, ahead of the main battle on July 2. The season server features a 1,000% EXP multiplier (up to over 8,000%), guaranteed equipment enhancement up to +5, and a new pet KUROMAMESIBA. All rewards and characters can be transferred to the main world after the event ends.
Neon Giant, a small studio of about 20 developers, presented its development technology for the new title 'NO LAW' at Unreal Fest Chicago 2026. The session detailed the high-density open-world city Port Desire, built with Unreal Engine 5, and a system where the environment affects gameplay. The game is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Kawada announced two Nanoblock sets based on Evangelion's EVA Unit-01 and Unit-02, releasing in Japan on July 18, 2026 and in the US on September 25, 2026. Each kit costs about $11 in Japan and $15.95 in the US. Unit-01 has 280 pieces and stands 115mm tall, while Unit-02 has 290 pieces and stands 108mm tall. Both are rated three out of five in difficulty and feature posable arms and legs.
NEXON announced on June 12 that a collaboration between its free-to-play looter shooter The First Descendant and the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion will begin on June 18. A trailer released alongside the announcement shows Descendants wearing plug suit-style costumes modeled after Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Shikinami, and Mari Illustrious Makinami. The collaboration is cosmetic, with full-body skins, weapon skins, and social motions expected. NEXON has not yet detailed the sales format or full item list. An upcoming developer livestream on the game's official YouTube channel will introduce collaboration items and events ahead of the June 18 launch, along with June update content. The First Descendant is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The game previously collaborated with NieR: Automata and Bayonetta.
OPNeon Games released new footage on June 7 for the full version of TCG Card Shop Simulator, due in fall 2026. The update will let players actually play the in-game card game Teramon. The early access version is already on Steam.
Ueni Trading is releasing a mechanical watch collection under the GARRACK brand, featuring three models themed on Evangelion units 01, 02, and 00. The dials use the raden mother-of-pearl inlay technique, with a Japanese-made MIYOTA automatic movement. Prices range from 77,000 to 79,200 yen, available at Evangelion stores and Ikebukuro TOKYO-01.
GU will release a collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion starting June 22. The lineup includes four vintage-style wash-processed T-shirts featuring the main visual with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, as well as designs for Unit-01 and Unit-02. Each T-shirt costs 1,990 yen tax included.
NEOWIZ announced on June 8, 2026, that it has internally decided to appoint Park Seong-jun, head of the new development group, as the company's new representative director. He will serve alongside current representative director Bae Tae-geun after formal approval in August 2026. Park is the first representative director in NEOWIZ history to come from a developer background. He previously led development on "Lies of P" and its DLC "Lies of P: Overture." Current representative director Kim Seung-cheol will remain as an inside director.
Ayaneo's Android gaming handheld, the Konkr Pocket Fit, now ships with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and Android 16, replacing the previous Snapdragon G3x Gen 3 model. The device retains its ergonomic grip and trigger lock mechanism, and is priced at 128,000 yen at PC One's in Osaka Nipponbashi, where all three colors are in stock.
China has designated brain-computer interface technology as a key industry in its five-year plan, making it a national strategic priority. On the same day, a Shanghai startup received approval for NEO, a minimally invasive BCI device placed on the brain's protective membrane, claiming the world's first commercial invasive BCI ahead of Elon Musk's Neuralink.
Manga artist Kentaro Yabuki, known for To Love-Ru, drew an illustration of Evangelion Unit-08 for his preschool-age son. The boy requested the pink mecha after seeing it on Yabuki's collection shelf. Yabuki shared the anecdote and drawing on his sub-X account, where it drew comments about the father-son moment and the rare robot art.
GU will release four vintage-style T-shirts featuring Neon Genesis Evangelion characters and mecha, including a main visual design with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, plus Unit-01 and Unit-02 shirts. Each T-shirt costs 1,990 yen and goes on sale June 22.
Hobby Max Japan has started accepting pre-orders for a new figure of Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion. The figure is based on a manga volume cover illustration and features a leather-finish costume, a jacket draped over her shoulders, and a handgun in her right hand. Pre-orders run from May 26 to June 30 at 23,980 yen.
Kotobukiya is reprinting the Evangelion Unit-01 TV Ver. plastic model, originally sculpted by Yuichi Kuwamura. The kit reproduces the TV series design with a wide range of motion, including articulated fingertips for breaking AT fields. It includes multiple hand parts, pre-painted pieces, and accessories like the entry plug and progressive knife. The model is priced at 6,380 yen and ships in November.
A writer for Japan Powered reflects on how turning anime into a subject for analysis has eroded the ability to watch it purely for enjoyment. The habit of comparing every narrative to touchstone series and hunting for article ideas means even bad shows get watched, and relaxation only comes from re-watching stories already mined for content.