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Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is in the middle of a franchise-wide merchandise and collaboration cycle built around its 30th anniversary, with new home video availability, a touring exhibition, and high-end figures shipping through 2027. The original series remains the throughline: ABEMA ran a free marathon of all 26 episodes in October 2026, timed to the anniversary of its first broadcast.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated 4h ago

Coverage through late 2026 is dominated by merchandise, collaborations, and anniversary projects rather than new animation. The largest single thread is the 30th anniversary exhibition "ALL OF EVANGELION," which opened at PARCO HALL in Nagoya on September 4, 2026 and runs through October 12, with weekday postcard giveaways and palm-sized plush mascots among its items. A separate anniversary effort, RADIO EVA's "THE 30" project, produced AVIREX MA-1 flight jackets that went on sale September 26, 2026 in black, red, and navy tied to Unit-01, Unit-02, and Mark.06.

Availability widened in North America on September 1 when Criterion Channel added the television anime and the films Evangelion: Death (True)² and The End of Evangelion, licensed by GKIDS in 2020. ABEMA kept the TV series circulating in Japan with a free marathon of all 26 episodes split across October 4 and 5, 2026, tied to the anniversary of the original broadcast on October 4, 1995, with episodes staying free for a week after. Hideaki Anno directed the series, set in Third New Tokyo City in 2015, with Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, and Yuko Miyamura voicing Shinji, Rei, and Asuka.

Figures and model kits run on their own calendar. Sega's XrossLink line released paired Unit-02 and Mass Production Unit prize figures in September 2026. Good Smile has a MODEROID DX-SCALE Unit-01 kit for June 2027 and the Robo-Do Pseudo-Shin Awakening Form figure. Blitzway opened pre-orders for Carbotix Unit-01 in June 2026 in standard and DX editions, and Kawada's Nanoblock Unit-01 and Unit-02 sets reached Japan on July 18 and the US on September 25.

Crossover activity extends into games and live events. Yoko Taro and Yoko Takahashi produced a visual piece using Evangelion clips for The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Tour show at Belluna Dome on September 19, 2026. Nexon ran an Evangelion collaboration in The First Descendant from June 18, offering plug suit-style costumes for Rei, Asuka, and Mari. Square Enix announced at a Berlin Fan Festival that Mahiro Maeda will design for the Final Fantasy XIV raid Ghost of Desire.

Key facts

TV series free marathon
ABEMA ran all 26 episodes free across two broadcasts starting October 4 and October 5, 2026, with episodes available free for one week after; the first broadcast coincides with the original October 4, 1995 airdate. ↗
North American streaming
Criterion Channel added the television anime and the films Evangelion: Death (True) ² and The End of Evangelion on September 1; GKIDS licensed the titles in 2020. ↗
30th anniversary exhibition
"ALL OF EVANGELION" runs September 4 to October 12, 2026 at PARCO HALL in Nagoya PARCO, with weekday postcards featuring Shinji, Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Kaworu, and palm-sized plush mascots of the same five characters. ↗
Anniversary apparel
AVIREX and RADIO EVA released MA-1 flight jackets under the "THE 30" project on September 26, 2026 at AVIREX stores and its online store, in black (Unit-01), red (Unit-02), and navy (Mark.06). ↗
Prize figures
Sega's XrossLink line released paired Unit-02 and EVA Mass Production Unit prize figures from September 18, 2026, recreating the End of Evangelion battle scene when displayed together. ↗
MODEROID DX-SCALE kit
Good Smile's MODEROID DX-SCALE Unit-01 from Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition stands about 260mm and releases June 2027, with a LUMINOUS SET EDITION adding a glowing head and two blacklight stands. ↗
Die-cast figure
Blitzway opened pre-orders on June 30, 2026 for the Carbotix Evangelion Unit-01 action figure at 36,300 yen standard and 58,300 yen for a DX version with a hangar, shipping December 2026. ↗
Game crossover
Nexon's The First Descendant began an Evangelion collaboration on June 18, 2026, with plug suit-style costumes modeled on Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Shikinami, and Mari Illustrious Makinami. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
manga · from October 23 · Japan · 2026-10-06
Release
tv · 1995-10-04 · 2026-10-04
Release
special · September 18 · Japan · 2026-09-17
Release
manga · 2026-07-18 · Japan · 2026-06-15
Release
manga · 2026-09-25 · US · 2026-06-15
Release
tv · 2026-09-01 · North America · 2026-08-05
Release
tv · June 22 · Japan · 2026-06-21
Release
manga · June 22 · Japan · 2026-06-08
Release
manga · June 22, 2026 · Japan · 2026-05-29
Licensed by
ABEMA (Japan) · 2026-10-04
Licensed by
GKIDS (North America) · 2026-08-05
Announced
30th anniversary · 2026-09-26
Announced
new Evangelion series · 2026-09-20
Announced
video collaboration with NieR:Automata presented during The Weeknd's Japan concerts · 2026-09-19
Announced
collaboration with MIKIOSAKABE on shoes and bags · 2026-07-01
Noted
collaboration T-shirts based on Neon Genesis Evangelion · 2026-08-09
Noted
Evangelion units 01, 02, and 00 are featured on watch dials · 2026-06-09
Noted
Hobby Max Japan has started accepting pre-orders for a new figure of Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion. · 2026-05-26

Connections

Writes of
yoko taro

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/neon-genesis-evangelion. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Neon Genesis Evangelion was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed tv 1995-10-04 2d ago · source
  • Confirmed Yoko Taro writes Neon Genesis Evangelion Sep 21 · source
  • Confirmed Yoko Takahashi produces Neon Genesis Evangelion Sep 21 · source
  • Confirmed Yoko Taro produces Neon Genesis Evangelion Sep 21 · source
  • Confirmed platform: GKIDS; region: North America Sep 5 · source
  • Debunked manga June 22, 2026 Japan May 30 · source

All coverage

4h ago

RADIO EVA and Sculptor emDASH Release Rei and Asuka Soft Vinyl Figures

RADIO EVA is releasing collaboration goods with sculptor emDASH. Two soft vinyl figures, MOVE Ver.REI AYANAMI and AMANOJAKI Ver.ASUKA SHIKINAMI LANGLEY, are priced at 39,600 yen each with tax included. Two MA-1 jackets in the same character themes carry the same price. The first drop is 300 units per item, and orders for a second drop are planned once that limit is reached.

5h ago

Sega Adds Kaworu Figure To Luminasta Prize Line From October 23

Sega will roll out the figure "Neon Genesis Evangelion Luminasta - Kaworu -" at amusement facilities nationwide from October 23. The figure belongs to Luminasta, Sega's prize brand that gives each character a distinctive shining point, and it recreates one of Kaworu's representative scenes from the work. Details are listed on the product page.

20h ago

Sega Opens Pachi Eva CUP 2 In Mahjong MJ

Sega began the Pachi Eva CUP 2 collaboration event between the Sega NET Mahjong MJ series and the pachinko machine e Neon Genesis Evangelion ~Hajimari no Kioku~ on Monday, October 5, 2026. The national tournament runs on the MJ app and arcade versions with Tonpuusen and three-player mahjong categories. Qualifiers run through October 18, finals through October 25, and a gacha offers 65 collaboration item types.

2d ago

Neon Genesis Evangelion Marathon of All 26 Episodes Comes to ABEMA on October 4

ABEMA will air a free marathon of all 26 episodes of the TV anime Neon Genesis Evangelion across two consecutive days, starting at noon on October 4 and again at 11:00 AM on October 5, both 2026. The broadcast runs on the Anime SPECIAL Channel and coincides with the anniversary of the series' first broadcast on October 4, 1995. The first marathon runs from noon on October 4 to 1:00 AM the following day; the second runs from 11:00 AM on October 5 to midnight. Every episode from the first to the final one airs free, and all 26 episodes stay available for free viewing for one week after the broadcast. Hideaki Anno directed the series, which is set in Third New Tokyo City in the year 2015 and follows Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Soryu as they pilot Evangelion units against enemies called Angels. Megumi Ogata plays Shinji, Megumi Hayashibara plays Rei, and Yuko Miyamura plays Asuka.

Sep 26

AVIREX And RADIO EVA Team Up For Evangelion Flight Jackets

AVIREX and RADIO EVA have produced Evangelion MA-1 flight jackets under the RADIO EVA "THE 30" project, tied to the 30th anniversary of Neon Genesis Evangelion in 2025. The base is AVIREX's MA-1 REMODEL MARK II. Black follows Unit-01, red follows Unit-02, and navy follows Mark.06. The jackets go on sale Saturday, September 26, 2026 at AVIREX directly managed stores and the AVIREX official online store.

Sep 20

The Weeknd Tour Runs Evangelion Visual by Yoko Taro and Yoko Takahashi

The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Tour presented a visual piece produced by NieR:Automata director Yoko Taro and singer Yoko Takahashi. It ran during the September 19 show at Saitama's Belluna Dome and uses clips from Neon Genesis Evangelion, samples of Takahashi's "A Cruel Angel's Thesis," and Evangelion-style imagery. Cast and staff shared photos and video afterward.

Sep 20

Good Smile Opens Preorders for Robo-Do Evangelion Unit-01 Awakening Figure

Good Smile Company is taking preorders for the Robo-Do Evangelion Unit-01 Pseudo-Shin Awakening Form, a figure of the form Unit-01 takes in Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition. It stands about 25cm tall on a die-cast frame with roughly 48 points of articulation. Red armor parts use UV fluorescent paint, the eyes have an LED light-emitting feature, and the left arm uses transparent material. Accessories include a halo effect, A.T. Field effects, an open-mouth head, and a core-exposed chest part.

Sep 19

Evangelion and NieR:Automata Video Collaboration Runs at The Weeknd's Japan Concerts

The official NieR and Evangelion X accounts announced a video collaboration between NieR:Automata and Neon Genesis Evangelion, presented as a special live production during The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Tour shows in Japan. The concerts run September 19 and 20, 2026 at Belluna Dome. Creepy Nuts appear as special guest both days, with YOUSUKE YUKIMATSU joining on September 20.

Sep 17

Sega To Release Two Evangelion XrossLink Prize Figures From September 18

Sega plans to release two prize figures in its XrossLink series based on Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatrical Edition Air / My Purest Heart for You. The lineup pairs Unit-02 with an EVA Mass Production Model, each measuring roughly 10 by 16 to 18 centimeters. Displayed side by side, the two figures recreate the battle scene from the film. The products roll out sequentially from September 18.

Sep 6

Sega XrossLink Figures Recreate End of Evangelion's Unit-02 vs Mass Production Battle

Sega's XrossLink figure series is adding Unit-02 and an EVA Mass Production Unit from Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (Air/Magokoro o, Kimi ni). The two figures, scheduled as crane game prizes starting September 11, 2026, can be displayed together to recreate the film's battle scene. Unit-02 stands about 16 cm tall; the Mass Production Unit is about 18 cm.

Aug 27

ABSOLUTE ACT Strike Freedom Gundam Debuts at TOKYO Toy Show 2026

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.

Aug 21

MODEROID DX-SCALE Evangelion Unit-01 Lands as 260mm Kit With Luminous Set Edition

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.

Aug 18

Evangelion 30th Anniversary Show Adds Nagoya Weekday Postcard Bonus

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.

Aug 15

Evangelion 30th Anniversary Exhibition Adds Palm-Sized Plush Mascots

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.

Aug 9

GEEKS RULE and PARCO Take Anime Collab T-Shirts to Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul

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.

Aug 6

FFXIV Dawntrail Evangelion Raid Ghost of Desire Adds Mahiro Maeda

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.

Aug 5

Criterion Channel Adds Evangelion Anime and Films on September 1

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.

Aug 5

Evangelion Osechi 2027 Reservations Open With NERV Jubako and Lance of Longinus Pick

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.

Jul 26

Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Art Collection Evangelion Limited Edition Reveals Mini Shikishi Art

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.

Jul 26

Wonder Festival 2026 Summer Figure Displays Flood AmiAmi Hobby Camp

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.

Jul 8

Evangelion Anima Side Novel Gets Audiobook Adaptation

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.

Jul 4

Blitzway Opens Pre-Orders for Carbotix Evangelion Unit-01 Action Figure

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.

Jul 1

Evangelion Collaborates With Designer MIKIOSAKABE on Shoes and Bags

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.

Jun 29

Blitzway Opens Pre-Orders for CARBOTIX Evangelion Unit-01 Die-Cast Figure

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.

Jun 28

A Cruel Angel's Thesis Crowned Greatest Anime Song by Global Musicians

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.

Jun 15

Evangelion Nanoblock Kits for EVA Unit-01 and Unit-02 Launch This Fall

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.

Jun 12

The First Descendant and Evangelion Collaboration Starts June 18

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.

Jun 9

Evangelion Mechanical Watches Use Traditional Raden Craftsmanship

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.

Jun 8

GU and Neon Genesis Evangelion Release Vintage-Style T-Shirts

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.

Jun 1

To Love-Ru Creator Kentaro Yabuki Draws Evangelion Unit-08 For His Son

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.

May 26

Hobby Max Japan Opens Pre-Orders for Misato Katsuragi Comics Ver. Figure

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.

May 24

Kotobukiya Re-Releases Evangelion Unit-01 TV Ver. Plastic Model

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.

May 16

When Anime Becomes Work, the Hobby Slips Away

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.