Neon Genesis Evangelion is an active franchise with a steady stream of merchandise collaborations, figure releases, and a new audiobook adaptation of the side novel Evangelion ANIMA. The series' theme song 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' was recently ranked the greatest anime song by international music professionals.
Neon Genesis Evangelion continues to sustain a broad licensing and merchandise program. In mid-2026, the franchise saw multiple product announcements across different categories. Blitzway opened pre-orders for a premium die-cast Carbotix Unit-01 action figure in standard and DX editions, with shipments scheduled for December 2026. Kotobukiya announced a reprint of its TV-accurate Unit-01 plastic model kit, originally sculpted by Yuichi Kuwamura, priced at 6,380 yen and shipping in November. Hobby Max Japan began pre-orders for a Misato Katsuragi figure based on a manga volume cover, with a leather-finish costume and a handgun, at 23,980 yen.
Apparel collaborations also expanded. GU released four vintage-style T-shirts featuring characters and Evangelion units, priced at 1,990 yen each, starting June 22. Designer Mikio Sakabe announced a collaboration under the MIKIOSAKABE label, producing seven types of shoes and bags with Evangelion visual elements, with orders opening July 8. Ueni Trading released a mechanical watch collection under the GARRACK brand, using traditional raden mother-of-pearl inlay on dials, with prices from 77,000 to 79,200 yen.
In digital media, the side novel Evangelion ANIMA, written by mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita, received an audiobook adaptation. Volume 1 is available on Audible, with subsequent volumes releasing from around August 2026, narrated by Sasaki Aitani. The free-to-play looter shooter The First Descendant began a cosmetic collaboration on June 18, featuring plug suit-style costumes modeled after Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Shikinami, and Mari Illustrious Makinami. Kawada announced two Nanoblock kits for EVA Unit-01 and Unit-02, releasing in Japan on July 18 and in the US on September 25. Yoko Takahashi's 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' took the top spot in TBS' Japan's Strongest Anime Songs Best 100 ranking, voted on by 166 music professionals from 41 countries.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.