A new Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series has been announced for the franchise's 30th anniversary, with Nier creator Yoko Taro set to write the script. The project will be directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toru Yatabe, and produced by Hideaki Anno's studio Khara. Details on the plot remain unknown, following the conclusion of the Rebuild films.
The announcement came during the Evangelion:30+ 30th Anniversary of Evangelion festival in Japan over the weekend of February 23, 2026. It was revealed via a credits page on the official Evangelion website, listing Yoko Taro—best known for his work on the Nier and Drakengard series—as the writer. Taro shared the news on social media, posting in Japanese: "発表されました。がんばります……！" which translates to "It has been announced. I'll do my best...!"
Directing duties will be handled by Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toru Yatabe, both of whom have previously worked on Evangelion projects. Tsurumaki is recognized for series like FLCL and Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, while Yatabe has contributed to Chainsaw Man and collaborated with Tsurumaki on the Gundam project. Music composition is assigned to Keiichi Okabe, a longtime Bandai Namco composer who has ties to Taro's Nier series. Original creator Hideaki Anno is not involved at a top level, with his studio Khara overseeing production.
The series' storyline is currently a mystery, with no details on whether it will continue after Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time—which provided a conclusion to protagonist Shinji Ikari's arc—or explore an alternate timeline, as suggested by the Rebuild films' multiple endings. Taro has previously cited Neon Genesis Evangelion as a key inspiration for Nier: Automata, released in 2017 and recently celebrating a 10 million sales milestone.
The festival also featured a 13-minute short starring Asuka, depicting an alternate universe vision where she marries Shinji and has a daughter, though she ultimately rejects him in the narrative. This has sparked discussions among fans about the franchise's future directions.
