You Must Make (More) Money: Why Yoko Taro’s Neon Genesis Evangelion Series Is A Blessing And A Curse

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I thought Hideaki Anno had finished with Neon Genesis Evangelion, but the influential anime keeps drawing me back in. It’s still a massive franchise, earning huge profits annually through merchandise and partnerships, so it’s not really a shock.

Wow, the 30th anniversary celebrations were amazing! I was really surprised by the announcement of a new anime series, honestly. I figured we’d get a little something extra, like that short film showing Shinji and Asuka ending up together in either timeline, but this was unexpected. What’s even cooler is that Hideaki Anno, the original creator, is letting others take the lead. He always said he wanted Evangelion to grow beyond his own vision, and it sounds like that’s exactly what’s happening with some exciting new takes!

Yoko Taro, the creative mind behind Nier: Automata and Drakengard, is writing the story for this new project. He’s teaming up with Keichii Okabe, who will compose the music. Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toko Yatabe, both involved in the Rebuild of Evangelion films, will direct, with support from Studio Khara (Anno’s studio) and Cloverworks as co-producers. It’s currently unknown whether the story will continue the events of the original series or the films, but it’s definitely something to look forward to!

What Is The New Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime Series About?

The announcement revealed a brand new series, but given how complex and detailed Neon Genesis Evangelion usually is, it’s wise to be cautious about that claim. The recently released teaser gives us a bit more to go on and helps us start to understand what the series might be about.

The music and style immediately feel like the work of Yoko Taro and Keiichi Okabe – beautiful and atmospheric, but also deeply unsettling. Haunting vocals and dramatic strings create a powerful, yet melancholic mood, and snippets of Japanese text appear on screen. The visuals show a dilapidated orchestra within a flooded, ruined space – possibly a concert hall – suggesting a world long past its prime. This makes me think the project might be set after the events of the original series or the Rebuild films, or in a version of the Eva universe already devastated by catastrophe.

I immediately noticed the importance of certain instruments connected to key characters. For example, the piano is often played by Kaworu Nagisa before Shinji has to fight him in the Rebuild films, and Shinji is only ever mentioned to have played the cello in the original series. The fact that the decayed cello is the first thing we see, shown for a long time and prominently displayed in the sunlight, feels intentional. It likely represents Shinji, or at least his troubled state, and hints at his return in this new series.

The fact that the piano was completely wrecked and sank, while Shinji’s cello remained mostly undamaged, seems intentionally meaningful.

The last few scenes are the most memorable, showcasing a radically different version of Unit 01. It feels more like a beast than a machine, with a gaping, purple mouth full of sharp teeth. Partially hidden in darkness, the unit emits a strange vapor, creating a disturbing image of something both living and artificial. As always, Evangelion uses impactful, but short, visuals to captivate the audience without revealing too much.

Since the final Rebuild film ends with Shinji starting a new life and world for himself and the other pilots, it likely happens in a different universe. Otherwise, that hopeful ending wouldn’t make sense.

I really wouldn’t want that to happen, because it seemed like Hideaki Anno had finally found a good place in his life and career where he could let these characters move on and get the happy ending they’ve always earned, despite all the challenges they faced.

I was deeply moved a few years ago by how conclusive it felt – like a tender goodbye to these characters after everything they’d endured. While I recognize the need for Neon Genesis Evangelion to continue in some way due to commercial pressures, it’s important that any continuation feels meaningful. Yoko Taro is one of the few creators I believe could handle that responsibility with the care it deserves.

Why Yoko Taro Might Be The Perfect Person To Bring Back Evangelion

Taro’s work clearly shows the influence of Hideaki Anno, particularly his masterpiece, Neon Genesis Evangelion. He’s a rare video game director with a distinct artistic vision, unafraid to tackle difficult and thought-provoking stories that explore complex themes about what it means to be human, our world, and our place in the universe.

Games such as Drakengard and Nier: Automata are strikingly beautiful, but they don’t shy away from challenging or unsettling players. They encourage us to think deeply about the themes presented and reflect on how our own world often prioritizes conflict over compassion, despite empathy being such a powerful force.

Nier: Automata and Drakengard share striking similarities with End of Evangelion. For example, Drakengard’s hidden ending features a god-like being appearing in Tokyo, intent on destroying humanity and setting the stage for the first Nier game. Similarly, in Automata, 2B is forced to kill a severely corrupted 9S, only to realize their deep connection despite a bleak and seemingly hopeless world.

It’s now official: more NieR: Automata is on the way! Developers have hinted at a new game or another project related to the series being developed.

Given Taro’s clear inspiration from Evangelion and his track record, I’m confident he’ll guide this universe forward in exciting new directions. He has a talent for bringing characters to life, and I trust him to reshape even established storylines and give them meaningful conclusions.

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Ultimately, the story needs to have a purpose, whether it explores the deep philosophical themes at the heart of Evangelion or simply tells relatable stories that mirror our own lives. I’m incredibly familiar with this franchise, yet still see new things with each revisit, and I’m excited to see what Taro does with it all.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a hugely popular and important story in Japan, and it’s had a massive impact around the world. More than thirty years after it first came out, it remains a very influential work – not just in animation, but in all forms of media – and will likely continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

Honestly, as a huge fan, it’s amazing to see something so beloved open itself up to new interpretations and creativity. Knowing Hideaki Anno, the original creator, is on board with it all is just perfect. And me? I’m absolutely ready to dive right in and experience it all firsthand – consider me piloting that robot!

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2026-02-25 20:07