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The Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise has confirmed the production of a new animated short film scheduled to premiere in 2026. The announcement forms part of the broader plans for the series’ 30th anniversary, which will be marked through a dedicated event titled EVANGELION:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion in Japan.
The new project was revealed through official festival and media announcements, confirming that the short film will debut exclusively during the anniversary event in February 2026.
A New 13-Minute Evangelion Short
The upcoming animated work is described as a short film with a runtime of approximately 13 minutes. It is being produced specifically for the anniversary celebration and is not currently planned for release beyond the event venue.
According to official descriptions, the short will be screened once per day during the event’s scheduled dates. At the time of reporting, no official title, cast information, or story details have been disclosed.
Creative Staff and Production Roles
Franchise creator Hideaki Anno is directly involved in the project. He is credited with planning the short film, writing its script, and supervising the overall production. Anno’s involvement continues his long-standing role in guiding the Evangelion series across television, film, and related media.
Naoyuki Asano will serve as the director of the short. Asano previously worked as an animation director on Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, which was released in 2021. Additional supervisory roles include Kazuya Tsurumaki, Shinji Higuchi, and Ikki Todoroki, all of whom have prior experience working on the Evangelion franchise in various creative capacities.
Screening Details and Event Schedule
The short film will premiere at Yokohama Arena during the EVANGELION:30+ anniversary event. The event is scheduled to take place from February 21 to February 23, 2026. The short will be screened in the event’s designated Stage Area and will receive a world premiere at the venue.
At present, there has been no confirmation regarding whether the short will be made available online, distributed internationally, or screened at additional locations after the event concludes.
Part of a Larger 30th Anniversary Celebration
The animated short is one of several projects planned to commemorate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Other confirmed activities include a live-action stage performance presented in the kabuki style, musical performances, a fan market, and a real-world exhibition celebrating the history of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Earlier in 2025, Hideaki Anno publicly acknowledged that a new Evangelion project was in development, though he did not specify its format at the time. It has not been formally confirmed whether the newly announced short film corresponds directly to those earlier remarks.
Franchise Rights and Studio Context
Recent attention surrounding the franchise has also followed the closure of Studio Gainax. Despite the studio’s shutdown, Anno’s studio Khara retained the intellectual property rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion. This ensured continued oversight of the franchise’s future projects under Khara’s management.
As of now, the newly announced short film remains the only confirmed animated Evangelion project scheduled for release in 2026.
