New Asuka-Starring Evangelion Short Premieres
The highly anticipated "Evangelion 30th Anniversary Special Screening" made its debut at the "Evangelion:30+;" festival on February 21. This new anime short focuses on the character Asuka and runs for 13 minutes. The narrative of the short is set within the "Hakone Yumoto Performance Theater," providing a unique backdrop for the latest addition to the Evangelion universe. Fans attending the festival were among the first to experience this new chapter in the franchise's extensive history.
Global Streaming Debut Announced
The Evangelion franchise's official website has confirmed that the new anime short will be available for official streaming to a wider audience. The digital debut is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, at 12:00 a.m. This translates to Saturday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m. EST for viewers in that time zone. The short will be accessible through Khara's official YouTube channel, making it readily available to fans worldwide who could not attend the initial festival screening. This online release offers a significant opportunity for the global community to engage with the latest Evangelion content.
Marking a Significant Anniversary for the Franchise
The streaming date for the new short holds additional significance, as Sunday, March 8, commemorates the fifth anniversary of the opening of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time. This film represented the fourth and conclusive installment in the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy. Its journey to the screen faced challenges, including two delays attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The release of the new short aligns with this important milestone, reflecting on the recent culmination of a major arc in the Evangelion saga while also looking forward.
Production Team Behind the New Short
Khara initially announced the development of the short in December, building anticipation among the fan base. The creative vision for this project was spearheaded by Anno, who served multiple critical roles as its planner, scriptwriter, and chief supervisor. The direction of the short was handled by Naoyuki Asano, known for his work as the animation director for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time. A team of seasoned supervisors also contributed their expertise, including Kazuya Tsurumaki, Shinji Higuchi, and Ikki Todoroki. Shinji Higuchi has a long-standing involvement with the franchise, having contributed as a director and storyboard artist for Evangelion 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0. Ikki Todoroki served as the assistant chief director for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time, bringing his deep understanding of the most recent film into the production of this new short. This collaborative effort by key figures in the Evangelion production history aimed to deliver a high-quality experience for viewers.
Warnings Issued Over Unauthorized Recordings
Following its premiere, the franchise's website issued stern warnings regarding prohibited conduct, specifically concerning leaks of the festival's Stage Area performances. These leaks, which included unauthorized recordings of the new Evangelion anime short, began circulating on social media platforms. The first official statement, released on February 22, the second day of the festival, explicitly stated, "At 'EVANGELION:30+;' 'STAGE AREA' performances, unauthorized photography and recording are strictly prohibited. Reposting, sharing, or otherwise distributing such content without permission on social media or other platforms is also prohibited. Violators may be subject to legal liability." This initial warning underscored the seriousness of the violation and the potential consequences for those involved.
Organizers Reiterate Enforcement Policy
The organizers of the "Evangelion:30+;" event reinforced their stance on unauthorized recordings with a second statement issued on February 23. Titled "Prohibited Conduct and Enforcement Policy for the 'EVANGELION:30+;' STAGE AREA Performances," this notice directly addressed the confirmed instances of unauthorized recording and online sharing. It unequivocally stated, "We have confirmed unauthorized recording at 'EVANGELION:30+;' STAGE AREA performances and the unauthorized reposting sharing of such content online. These acts are strictly prohibited and may result in legal action." The statement further clarified the organizers' intent, asserting, "As the organizer, we will review posts and take strict measures as necessary." This robust response aimed to protect the integrity of the event and the intellectual property of the franchise.
Highlights from the Evangelion 30th Anniversary Festival
The "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival was a major event for fans, held at the Yokohama Arena from February 21 to February 23. Beyond the premiere of the new Asuka short, the festival brought forth significant announcements, including the revelation of a brand-new Evangelion series currently in development. Musical performances were also a key attraction, with Yoko Takahashi, the iconic singer of the Neon Genesis Evangelion television series' opening theme song, performing an "Eva Fes Ver." of the upcoming "Back to Neon Genesis" concerts. The festival concluded on Monday with a special preview of the Kabuki Kokyokyoku Dai Kyu-ban Evangelion stage production, which translates to Kabuki Symphony No. 9 Evangelion. A screening of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time also closed out the commemorative event, offering attendees a chance to revisit the final film in the Rebuild series.
