Over 30 years after the premiere of Neon Genesis EvangelionStudio Khara announced a new Evangelion Anime is in the works. The franchise follows depressed teenager Shinji Ikari and his allies as they pilot giant robotic EVAs to protect the world from the destructive angels, only to uncover another conspiracy that threatens all of humanity.
As an Evangelion fan, the prospect of seeing another series in the series is very exciting. However, the question remains: With the talent behind it, will this new Evangelion anime live up to its predecessor, and is such a series even necessary?
Evangelion already ended on a high note
Throughout Evangelion’s tumultuous history, viewers have witnessed three different endings to the original anime series’ story: The End of EvangelionAnd Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time. The latter film ended with Shinji overcoming his depression and creating the world without EVAs into a single world, allowing him and his friends to grow up and lead normal lives, giving them the happy ending they deserve.
This film provided a satisfying, uplifting conclusion to the long-running anime. Shinji’s decision to break the vicious circle of trauma and redesign the work is guided by the story’s themes: courage and progress in life, even if that means feeling pain or making mistakes. what should bring him and the audience closure after all these years. Honestly, it was my favorite of the three endings in the series, and I didn’t feel like Evangelion needed to go any further.
It is unknown whether the next Evangelion series will be a prequel, sequel, or remake of the original anime. We may or may not see Shinji and his friends again in this new anime. Luckily, Evangelion left some room for the story to develop after the last film.
Evangelion 3.0+1.0 revealed that Shinji and the rest of the cast were trapped in a time loop, forcing them to relive the history of the franchise as seen in the original series and films. This concept makes it easier for us to imagine that the upcoming anime will start anew and continue where the story of Evangelion left off.
The creators of the new anime propose a fresh, faithful successor
Although Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno won’t be directing this new anime, there are still some returning talents working behind the scenes. Rebuild of Evangelion film director Kazuya Tsurumaki will oversee the project Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Assistant director Toko Yatabe. Tsurumaki has worked closely with Anno since the days of Neon Genesis EvangelionTherefore, someone with so much experience with the franchise should ensure that the new anime stays faithful to the source material.
What’s truly notable is that the upcoming Evangelion series will be written by Yoko Taro, who created the hit sci-fi video game series NieR. Similar to Evangelion, the NieR franchise has told subversive stories about characters struggling with loneliness and searching for meaning in life, while also featuring robots fighting in a post-apocalyptic world. Yoko even went so far as to call NieR: AutomataThe story is a retelling of Evangelion. Given Yoko’s success as a subversive storyteller and his adoration for Evangelion, seeing him write a new chapter in its story would be interesting, to say the least.
The new anime is also produced by Hideaki Anno’s animation company Studio Khara, which produced the four Rebuild of Evangelion films. It is also produced by CloverWorks, the animation studio behind popular shows like Darling in the Franxx, The promised neverland, Rascal doesn’t dream of Bunny Girl SenpaiAnd My dress-up favorite.
We have seen both Khara and CloverWorks deliver top-notch animation with their respective projects. When the two work together to revive Evangelion, it creates a dynamic, layered and vibrant installment of an already stunning anime.
Will Evangelion be the same without Anno?
The Evangelion anime has long been the brainchild of Hideaki Anno. The acclaimed author incorporated his experiences with clinical depression into the characters’ psychological journeys, particularly Shinji’s, and presented a harrowing, thought-provoking anime like no other.
Anno seemed to have finally made peace with his beloved anime with his last film, Rebuild of Evangelion. Just as Shinji was breaking out of the cycle of sadness and violence that dominated his life, Anno finally finished his magnum opus after writing several endings, allowing him to leave the franchise after working on it for so long.
It’s hard to imagine this franchise without Anno at the helm. It’s also unclear what the new Evangelion creators will add to such a personal story to make it stand out while honoring Anno’s work. However, Anno said in a 2016 interview that he hoped other creators would work on Evangelion in his place.
“…I want them to be attractive works; it will not happen without certain conditions, but I will not limit them to what my works have established. Just like Gundam, which continuously supports the animation world, Eva can become a new pillar. After all, it is the purpose that led me to continue with the New Theatrical Versions. I want to maintain this pillar that supports the animation world…” Anno said. “I’m doing this for the good of the animation industry.” Gundam can be enjoyed through various works, and it would be nice if Eve can develop in the same way. I think it’s better if the work is varied.”
While Evangelion has long been a reflection of the man who created it, it’s clear that the franchise has grown far beyond Anno, and he’s happy to let someone else take the saga forward.
Ultimately, Evangelion’s story will repeat itself, but it appears to be for the better. A continuation of such a prestigious franchise will undoubtedly be a huge economic boon for the animation industry. It will also keep Anno’s legacy alive and give a new generation of viewers and creators the opportunity to absorb this story and conjure up their own interpretations. Whatever this anime has in store for us, it will be a bold, watchable new beginning for Evangelion.
