Evangelion Franchise Gets New 13-Minute Anime Short to Commemorate 30th Anniversary
To celebrate three decades of the iconic Neon Genesis Evangelion series, a brand-new 13-minute animated short will debut at the inaugural "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival, taking place at Yokohama Arena from February 21-23, 2026.
👤Khalid Ouledhaddou⏱6 min read👁66 views📅December 18, 2025🗓Published: 2025-12-18✏Updated: 2026-03-01
The legendary Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise is marking its 30th anniversary with an exciting new animated production. Studio Khara has announced the creation of a special 13-minute anime short that will make its global debut during the "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" celebration, the first-ever festival event dedicated to the beloved series.
This commemorative short film, officially titled "Evangelion Hōsō 30 Shūnen Kinen Tokubetsu Kōgyō" (which translates to "Evangelion Broadcast 30th Anniversary Special Screening"), represents a significant milestone for fans worldwide. The project brings together some of the most influential creative minds behind the Evangelion universe.
Leading the production is Hideaki Anno, the visionary creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, who serves as the planner, scriptwriter, and chief supervisor for this special work. Directing the animation is Naoyuki Asano, who previously worked as the animation director on "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time," the final installment of the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.
The creative team also includes several key figures from the Evangelion franchise's history. Kazuya Tsurumaki, who directed multiple Evangelion films including 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0, joins as a supervisor. Shinji Higuchi, known for his storyboard work on Evangelion 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, also contributes as a supervisor. Additionally, Ikki Todoroki, who served as assistant chief director on "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time," rounds out the supervisory team.
The festival itself promises to be a spectacular event, running from February 21 through February 23 at the prestigious Yokohama Arena. The new anime short will be showcased once daily on the venue's massive LED screen, which measures an impressive 18 meters by 15 meters (approximately 59 feet by 49 feet), providing an immersive viewing experience for attendees.
Beyond the anime short premiere, the "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival will feature a diverse array of attractions. Khara and Shochiku are collaborating on an innovative project called "Kabuki Kōkyōkyoku Dai Kyū-ban Evangelion" (Kabuki Symphony No. 9 Evangelion), a unique kabuki performance that will also be presented during the festival.
The event will include multiple areas for visitors to explore, including an exhibition space, a stage area, merchandise booths, and various other content displays. The spatial and layout design for the entire festival is being directed by the creative team at Studio Khara, ensuring a cohesive and immersive experience. Notably, Hideaki Anno himself designed the festival's title icon visual, adding a personal touch from the series creator.
In addition to the festival, the Evangelion franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary through another ongoing initiative. The "Monthly Eva: Evangelion 30th Movie Fest. 2025-2026" is currently running, featuring monthly revival screenings of all six Evangelion films in theaters across Japan. This special event began in October and will continue through February, giving fans multiple opportunities to experience the complete film series on the big screen.
Looking toward the future, Hideaki Anno hinted last May that there may be additional plans for the Evangelion anime franchise, though he suggested that future projects might be helmed by someone other than himself. This new 13-minute short, along with the various anniversary celebrations, demonstrates the enduring legacy and continued evolution of one of anime's most influential series.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Evangelion 30th anniversary festival take place? What is the exact schedule for the new anime short screenings?
The "EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION" (Eva Fest) will take place from February 21–23, 2026 at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan. The 13-minute short will be screened once per day on each of the three days of the festival.
What is the title of the new Evangelion anime short, and what does it mean in English? How long is the short film?
The new 13-minute short is titled Evangelion Hōsō 30 Shūnen Kinen Tokubetsu Kōgyō (Japanese: エヴァンゲリオン放送30周年記念特別上映). The English translation is "Evangelion Broadcast 30th Anniversary Special Screening". The runtime is approximately 13 minutes.
Who is involved in creating the new Evangelion 30th anniversary anime short? What are their roles and previous work on the Evangelion franchise?
The short features a team of franchise veterans: Hideaki Anno serves as the original creator, planner, scriptwriter, and general supervisor. Naoyuki Asano is the director, previously working as an animation director for Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. The supervisors include Kazuya Tsurumaki (Director of Rebuild films), Shinji Higuchi (Storyboard Artist), and Ikki Todoroki (Assistant Chief Director for 3.0+1.0).
What special features and attractions will be available at the Evangelion:30+ festival besides the anime short premiere? What is the Kabuki Symphony No. 9 Evangelion project?
The "Eva Fest" is divided into two main sections: EVA EXTRA 30, an exhibition zone tracing the history of the franchise from 1995 to the present, and a STAGE AREA hosting creator panels, voice actor appearances, and the anime short premiere. The Kabuki Symphony No. 9 Evangelion is a groundbreaking collaboration between Evangelion and traditional Kabuki theatre, starring Kichitaro Uemura as Shinji Ikari and Sakon Onoe as Kaworu Nagisa, debuting on February 23, 2026.
What are the technical specifications of the LED screen that will display the new Evangelion short at Yokohama Arena? How will this enhance the viewing experience?
The short will be displayed on a massive LED screen measuring 18 meters wide by 15 meters high (approximately 59 feet by 49 feet). This giant screen is designed to provide an immersive, venue-exclusive viewing experience as part of the stage layout designed by Studio Khara.
What is the Monthly Eva: Evangelion 30th Movie Fest. 2025-2026? Which Evangelion films are being screened and where can fans watch them?
This project features monthly revival screenings of the six Evangelion films in Japanese theaters from October 2025 to February 2026: October 2025 features Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion, November 2025 shows Evangelion: 1.0, December 2025 presents Evangelion: 2.0, January 2026 includes Evangelion: 3.0 (with bonus shorts like -120min), and February 2026 concludes with Evangelion: 3.0+1.0.
What did Hideaki Anno say about future Evangelion projects? Will he continue to be involved in the franchise, or will someone else take over?
Hideaki Anno has indicated that Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 was his personal "finale" for the series. However, he has speculated that "there may be plans" for future Evangelion works, though he noted they would likely be helmed by someone other than himself.
How can fans attend the Evangelion 30th anniversary festival? Are tickets available, and what is the pricing information?
Fans must purchase a STAGE AREA Ticket to view the anime short and live stage events. Tickets for the celebration went on sale in late November 2025. Pricing details and official lottery applications are typically handled through the Official Evangelion Website.
What merchandise and exclusive items will be available at the Evangelion:30+ festival? Will there be limited edition anniversary products?
Exclusive anniversary items include Logo T-shirts (the same casual shirts worn by Shinji, Rei, Asuka, Mari, and Kaworu in the event's commemorative art), limited artwork goods featuring new illustrations by animation director Syuichi Iseki, and an exhibition catalog (a hardbound book documenting the materials on display at the "All of Evangelion" exhibit).
What is the significance of celebrating Evangelion's 30th anniversary? How has the franchise evolved since its original release in 1995?
Since its 1995 debut, Evangelion has evolved from a deconstruction of the mecha genre into a global cultural pillar that redefined modern anime. The 30th anniversary marks the transition of the franchise from Anno's personal journey to a legacy that spans television, a theatrical "Rebuild" tetralogy, and now traditional Japanese performing arts like Kabuki.
Will the new Evangelion 13-minute short be released online or in theaters after the festival? Is there a home video release planned?
Currently, the short is billed as a venue-exclusive world premiere. While there are no confirmed dates for a global online or home video release, fans anticipate a future digital release or inclusion in a celebratory box set.
What is the relationship between Studio Khara and the original Evangelion series? How did the studio come to be involved in the franchise?
Studio Khara was founded by Hideaki Anno in 2006 specifically to produce the Rebuild of Evangelion films. While the original 1995 series was produced by Studio Gainax, Khara now holds the primary rights and creative control over the franchise, overseeing all 30th-anniversary projects.
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