NEO is a minimally invasive brain-computer interface device from a Shanghai startup that has received commercial approval in China, which has designated BCI as a national strategic priority.
China has elevated brain-computer interface technology to a national strategic industry in its five-year plan. On the same day, a Shanghai startup received approval for NEO, a minimally invasive BCI device placed on the brain's protective membrane. The company claims NEO is the world's first commercial invasive BCI, ahead of Elon Musk's Neuralink in the commercial timeline.
The coordinated policy and regulatory move positions China as a leader in the BCI space. The device's approval marks a concrete step in the country's push to commercialize brain-computer interfaces, a field that has seen intense global competition. NEO's minimally invasive design differs from fully implanted systems, placing electrodes on the brain's protective membrane rather than penetrating brain tissue.
No further details about NEO's specifications, clinical trials, pricing, or availability have been disclosed in the stories provided. The device's approval and China's strategic designation represent the only confirmed facts about this entity.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
NEOWIZ has appointed Chris Chung, former CPO of Wargaming, as head of its new Global Business Group. The company also restructured into three business units: New Game Development Group, Global Business Group, and Live Game Business Group. The move aims to strengthen global publishing and IP portfolio after the success of Lies of P.
The official Evangelion side novel Evangelion ANIMA, written by mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita, is being adapted into an audiobook. Volume 1 is available on Audible, with subsequent volumes releasing from around August 2026. Narrator Sasaki Aitani voices multiple characters.
Blitzway has begun accepting pre-orders for the Carbotix Evangelion Unit-01 action figure, designed with a focus on realistic functionality and die-cast metal construction. The standard version costs 36,300 yen, while a DX version with a hangar is priced at 58,300 yen. Pre-orders opened June 30.
Tohakusha Inc. will exhibit the Identity V Hokkaidoneo collaboration project at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2 to July 5. The booth at FavoriteSpot will sell goods with newly drawn illustrations by participating creators including Roitz, Nashiko Kotobuki, KEKI, Ryota-H, and TAKOLEGS.
Designer Mikio Sakabe, under the label MIKIOSAKABE, has announced a collaboration with the Evangelion series. Seven types of shoes and bags will be released, incorporating visual elements from the series. Orders open July 8 through the MIKIOSAKABE & JennyFax online store, with an in-person order event in Tokyo on July 18-19.
Bandai will release Donjara NEO Chiikawa, a renewed board game set featuring an anime design, at toy stores from July 25. The set includes 10 games for 2 to 4 players, such as a weed-pulling game and a subjugation game. The frame splits for portability and outdoor play. Price is 5,280 yen.
Blitzway Japan announced pre-orders for the CARBOTIX Evangelion Unit-01 die-cast action figure, opening June 30, 2026. The figure comes in a standard edition and a DX Ver. with a hangar diorama. The standard edition costs 36,300 yen, the DX Ver. 58,300 yen, with shipments scheduled for December 2026.
Yoko Takahashi's 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' from Neon Genesis Evangelion took the top spot in TBS' Japan's Strongest Anime Songs Best 100 ranking, voted on by 166 music professionals from 41 countries. Naruto Shippuden's 'Blue Bird' and Dragon Ball Z's 'CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA' placed second and third, respectively.
GOP Co. has started the early pre-play of the limited-time Season Server 2026 'Super Conqueror Battlefield' for PC MMORPG N-AGE ONLINE NEO. The season offers up to 8,000% experience bonus, new Stardust weapon rewards for top-ranked players in each class, a Premium VIP item with location-memory teleportation, a new pet growth system, and a Pet Breeder Championship event. Growth results can be transferred to the regular server.
AYANEO announced the Pocket MICRO 2, a successor to its Game Boy Micro-style Android handheld. The device upgrades to a Snapdragon 865-class custom processor, which the company claims delivers roughly 220% better performance than the original. It retains a 3.5-inch 960x640 LCD screen and runs Android 13, with prices starting at $239.
The post-AI band NEON ONI, born from songs generated by the music AI Suno, has been selected as a finalist in the Japanese qualifiers for Wacken Open Air, the world's largest metal festival. The project recruited live musicians after its AI-generated tracks went viral online, and now performs as a physical band blending AI composition with human performance.
GU will release a collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion starting June 22. The lineup includes four vintage-style T-shirts featuring characters and Evangelion units, priced at 1,990 yen each.
G·O·P Co., Ltd. announced the limited-time Season Server 2026 "Super Conqueror Battlefield" for PC MMORPG N-AGE ONLINE NEO. Early Pre-Play begins after maintenance on June 25, 2026, ahead of the main battle on July 2. The season server features a 1,000% EXP multiplier (up to over 8,000%), guaranteed equipment enhancement up to +5, and a new pet KUROMAMESIBA. All rewards and characters can be transferred to the main world after the event ends.
Neon Giant, a small studio of about 20 developers, presented its development technology for the new title 'NO LAW' at Unreal Fest Chicago 2026. The session detailed the high-density open-world city Port Desire, built with Unreal Engine 5, and a system where the environment affects gameplay. The game is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Kawada announced two Nanoblock sets based on Evangelion's EVA Unit-01 and Unit-02, releasing in Japan on July 18, 2026 and in the US on September 25, 2026. Each kit costs about $11 in Japan and $15.95 in the US. Unit-01 has 280 pieces and stands 115mm tall, while Unit-02 has 290 pieces and stands 108mm tall. Both are rated three out of five in difficulty and feature posable arms and legs.
NEXON announced on June 12 that a collaboration between its free-to-play looter shooter The First Descendant and the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion will begin on June 18. A trailer released alongside the announcement shows Descendants wearing plug suit-style costumes modeled after Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Shikinami, and Mari Illustrious Makinami. The collaboration is cosmetic, with full-body skins, weapon skins, and social motions expected. NEXON has not yet detailed the sales format or full item list. An upcoming developer livestream on the game's official YouTube channel will introduce collaboration items and events ahead of the June 18 launch, along with June update content. The First Descendant is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The game previously collaborated with NieR: Automata and Bayonetta.
OPNeon Games released new footage on June 7 for the full version of TCG Card Shop Simulator, due in fall 2026. The update will let players actually play the in-game card game Teramon. The early access version is already on Steam.
Ueni Trading is releasing a mechanical watch collection under the GARRACK brand, featuring three models themed on Evangelion units 01, 02, and 00. The dials use the raden mother-of-pearl inlay technique, with a Japanese-made MIYOTA automatic movement. Prices range from 77,000 to 79,200 yen, available at Evangelion stores and Ikebukuro TOKYO-01.
GU will release a collaboration with Neon Genesis Evangelion starting June 22. The lineup includes four vintage-style wash-processed T-shirts featuring the main visual with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, as well as designs for Unit-01 and Unit-02. Each T-shirt costs 1,990 yen tax included.
NEOWIZ announced on June 8, 2026, that it has internally decided to appoint Park Seong-jun, head of the new development group, as the company's new representative director. He will serve alongside current representative director Bae Tae-geun after formal approval in August 2026. Park is the first representative director in NEOWIZ history to come from a developer background. He previously led development on "Lies of P" and its DLC "Lies of P: Overture." Current representative director Kim Seung-cheol will remain as an inside director.
Ayaneo's Android gaming handheld, the Konkr Pocket Fit, now ships with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and Android 16, replacing the previous Snapdragon G3x Gen 3 model. The device retains its ergonomic grip and trigger lock mechanism, and is priced at 128,000 yen at PC One's in Osaka Nipponbashi, where all three colors are in stock.
China has designated brain-computer interface technology as a key industry in its five-year plan, making it a national strategic priority. On the same day, a Shanghai startup received approval for NEO, a minimally invasive BCI device placed on the brain's protective membrane, claiming the world's first commercial invasive BCI ahead of Elon Musk's Neuralink.
Manga artist Kentaro Yabuki, known for To Love-Ru, drew an illustration of Evangelion Unit-08 for his preschool-age son. The boy requested the pink mecha after seeing it on Yabuki's collection shelf. Yabuki shared the anecdote and drawing on his sub-X account, where it drew comments about the father-son moment and the rare robot art.
GU will release four vintage-style T-shirts featuring Neon Genesis Evangelion characters and mecha, including a main visual design with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, plus Unit-01 and Unit-02 shirts. Each T-shirt costs 1,990 yen and goes on sale June 22.
Hobby Max Japan has started accepting pre-orders for a new figure of Misato Katsuragi from Neon Genesis Evangelion. The figure is based on a manga volume cover illustration and features a leather-finish costume, a jacket draped over her shoulders, and a handgun in her right hand. Pre-orders run from May 26 to June 30 at 23,980 yen.
Kotobukiya is reprinting the Evangelion Unit-01 TV Ver. plastic model, originally sculpted by Yuichi Kuwamura. The kit reproduces the TV series design with a wide range of motion, including articulated fingertips for breaking AT fields. It includes multiple hand parts, pre-painted pieces, and accessories like the entry plug and progressive knife. The model is priced at 6,380 yen and ships in November.
A writer for Japan Powered reflects on how turning anime into a subject for analysis has eroded the ability to watch it purely for enjoyment. The habit of comparing every narrative to touchstone series and hunting for article ideas means even bad shows get watched, and relaxation only comes from re-watching stories already mined for content.