Over 30 years after the premiere of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Studio Khara announced that a new Evangelion anime is in the works. The franchise follows depressed teenager Shinji Ikari and his allies as they pilot giant robot EVAs to protect the world from the destructive Angels, only to discover another conspiracy at play that threatens all of humanity.
As an Evangelion fan, the prospect of seeing another series in the franchise is very exciting. However, the question lingers: will this new Evangelion anime live up to its predecessor with the talent behind it, and is such a series even necessary?
Evangelion already ended on a high note
Through Evangelion’s tumultuous history, audiences have witnessed three different endings to its story in the original anime series, The End of Evangelion, and Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time. The latter film ended with Shinji overcoming his depression and recreating the world into one without EVAs, allowing him and his friends to grow up and have normal lives, giving them all the happy ending they deserve.
This film delivered a satisfying, uplifting conclusion to the long-running anime. Shinji’s decision to break the vicious cycle of trauma and remake the work aligned with the story’s themes of courage and moving forward in life, even if it means feeling pain or making mistakes. which is supposed to bring him and the audience closure after all these years. It was honestly my favorite of the franchise’s three endings, and it didn’t feel like Evangelion needed to go any further.
It’s 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. Fortunately, Evangelion has left open some room for the story to progress after the most recent 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 franchise’s story as seen in the original show and films. This concept makes it easier for us to imagine the upcoming anime starting fresh while continuing where Evangelion’s story left off.
The new anime’s creators suggest a fresh, faithful follow-up
Though Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno won’t helm this new anime, it still features some returning talent working behind the scenes. Rebuild of Evangelion film director Kazuya Tsurumaki will lead the project alongside Evangelion 3.0+1.0 assistant director Toko Yatabe. Tsurumaki has worked closely with Anno since the days of Neon Genesis Evangelion, so someone with this much experience with the franchise should ensure the new anime stays true to the source material.
What is truly remarkable 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 who grapple with loneliness and seek purpose in life, all while depicting robots fighting in a post-apocalyptic world. Yoko has gone as far as to call NieR: Automata‘s story a retelling of Evangelion. Given Yoko’s success as a subversive storyteller and reverence for Evangelion, his writing a new chapter in the latter’s story would be interesting, to say the least.
The new anime will also be produced by Hideaki Anno’s animation company, Studio Khara, which produced the four Rebuild of Evangelion films. It will also be produced by CloverWorks, the animation studio behind popular shows like Darling in the Franxx, The Promised Neverland, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, and My Dress-Up Darling.
We’ve seen both Khara and CloverWorks deliver some top-tier animation with their respective projects. The two of them working together to revive Evangelion would lead to a dynamic, layered, and vibrant installment to an already stunning anime.
Will Evangelion be the same without Anno?
The Evangelion anime has long been the brainchild of Hideaki Anno. The acclaimed writer poured his experiences with clinical depression into the characters’ psychological journeys, particularly Shinji’s, presenting a harrowing, thought-provoking anime unlike any other.
Anno seemed to have finally made peace with his beloved anime with his final Rebuild of Evangelion film. Just as Shinji broke free from the cycle of sadness and violence that dominated his life, Anno finally concluded his magnum opus after writing multiple endings, allowing him to move on from 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 that will allow it to stand out while honoring Anno’s work. However, Anno said in a 2016 interview that he hopes other creators will work on Evangelion in his stead.
“…I want them to be appealing works; it won’t be without specific conditions, but I will not confine them to what my works have established. Just like Gundam, which keeps continuously supporting the animation world, Eva can become a new pillar. After all, it is the purpose that led me to resume through the New Theatrical Versions. I want to maintain this pillar, which carries the animation world…,” said Anno. ‘I do this for the well-being of the animation industry. Gundam can be enjoyed through various works, and it would be nice if Eva can develop in the same way. I think it’s better if there is a diversity in the works.”
While Evangelion has long been a reflection of the man who created it, it is clear that the franchise has grown far beyond Anno, and he is happy to let the saga move forward with someone else.
Ultimately, Evangelion’s story is destined to repeat itself, but it seems to be for the better. An installment to such a prestigious franchise will undoubtedly be a huge economic boon for the animation industry. It will also keep Anno’s legacy alive and allow a new generation of viewers and creators to take in this story and conjure their own interpretations. Whatever this anime has in store for us, it will be a bold, new beginning for Evangelion worth watching.
