Hideaki Anno to produce new 13-minute Evangelion short for upcoming fan festival
Khara has announced that a completely new short animation will be screened as the centerpiece of a major upcoming festival designed to celebrate three decades of one of the most influential anime franchises in history.
The “EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION” fan festival is set to take place in early 2026 and will feature a variety of content ranging from creator talks to live musical performances that highlight the series’ iconic score.
Originally broadcast in October 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion deconstructed the mecha genre with its psychological depth and religious symbolism whilst captivating a generation of viewers.
The upcoming festival serves as a culmination of this legacy as it brings together fans and staff to honor the series’ enduring impact on global pop culture through immersive exhibits and stage events.
The highlight of the celebration is the confirmation of a newly produced short animation that has a running time of approximately 13 minutes.
This new footage is being produced specifically for the event and features a returning staff list that will excite long-time fans of the series who thought the story had concluded with the recent theatrical films.
Series creator Hideaki Anno is credited with planning, scriptwriting, and general supervision, while the direction is handled by Naoyuki Asano, who previously served as an animation director on the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.
The project also features supervision from key industry veterans such as Kazuya Tsurumaki, Shinji Higuchi, and Ikki Todoroki, who have been integral to the franchise’s visual identity over the years.
Details regarding the narrative content of the short film remain a mystery as it is intended to be a venue-exclusive premiere for attendees.
Accessing this special screening requires specific ticket tiers, as viewers must purchase either a “STAGE AREA Ticket” or an “ALL AREA Pass,” which grants entry to all performances scheduled for that day.
The “EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION” festival is scheduled to be held from the 21st to the 23rd of February, 2026.
Evangelion’s first ever Kabuki play will also debut at the event, with Sakon Onoe, known as the “Prince of Kabuki,” set to play the role of Kaworu Nagisa.
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