The iconic Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise is marking its 30th anniversary with a host of celebrations, including the world premiere of a new 13-minute anime short. Titled “Evangelion Hōsō 30 Shūnen Kinen Tokubetsu Kōgyō” (Evangelion Broadcast 30th Anniversary Special Screening), the short will debut at the “Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion” festival taking place from February 21-23, 2026, at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan.
New Anime Short Details
The newly announced 13-minute anime short is a significant highlight of the anniversary festivities. Franchise creator Hideaki Anno is deeply involved, serving as the planner, scriptwriter, and chief supervisor for the project. Naoyuki Asano, known for his animation direction on Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time, is directing the short. He is joined by a supervisory team that includes Kazuya Tsurumaki, Shinji Higuchi, and Ikki Todoroki.
The short will be screened once each day of the festival on the Yokohama Arena’s massive 18-meter by 15-meter LED screen.
A Grand 30th Anniversary Celebration
The “Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion” festival is the centerpiece of a year-long tribute to the groundbreaking mecha anime, which first aired in October 1995. The event, directed by the creators at Studio Khara, will feature an exhibition area, a stage area for performances, and exclusive merchandise. Hideaki Anno himself designed the festival’s title icon visual.
Beyond the new anime short, the 30th anniversary includes several other projects:
Kabuki Adaptation
A unique “Kabuki Kōkyōkyoku Dai Kyū-ban Evangelion” (Kabuki Symphony No. 9 Evangelion) project, a collaboration between Studio Khara and Shochiku, will also be unveiled and performed at the Yokohama Arena festival.
“Monthly Eva” Film Festival
Fans across Japan can enjoy “Monthly Eva: Evangelion 30th Movie Fest. 2025-2026,” a series of monthly revival screenings of the franchise’s six films in theaters from October to February.
“ALL OF EVANGELION” Exhibition
A comprehensive exhibition titled “ALL OF EVANGELION” is running in Tokyo, showcasing a vast array of production materials, from original cels and design documents to digital assets from the Rebuild of Evangelion films. The exhibit, located at Tokyo City View, runs until January 12, 2026, and features a large Evangelion Unit-01 statue at its entrance.
Music and Merchandise
Singer Yoko Takahashi is celebrating with a new album, “EVANGELION FLASHBACK,” collecting new and old Evangelion songs. Additionally, a limited edition “RADIO EVA ‘THE 30’ x Seiko Collaboration Watch (EVA-01 MODEL)” has been released, featuring design elements inspired by the iconic EVA-01.
Broadcast and Special Programs
The original Neon Genesis Evangelion series is also returning to Japanese broadcast television, with episodes airing on various local stations. An original program, “FM EVA 30.0,” will run from October to March 2026, featuring creators, singers, and voice actors sharing behind-the-scenes stories and insights.
The Enduring Legacy of Evangelion
Since its debut in 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion has profoundly influenced the anime industry, becoming a cultural phenomenon known for its deep psychological themes, apocalyptic setting, and deconstruction of the mecha genre. Created by Hideaki Anno, the series follows teenage pilots of giant biomechanical mechas called Evangelions as they battle mysterious beings known as Angels to prevent a global catastrophe.
The franchise has expanded significantly over three decades, including manga, video games, radio dramas, and a tetralogy of films, Rebuild of Evangelion, which offered a retelling of the series’ events. Its exploration of complex characters and philosophical questions has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase, cementing its status as one of the greatest animated series of all time.
