Bloody Hell, Yoko Taro Is Penning A New Evangelion Series: Prepare For Existential Dread (and Maybe Accordions)
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
Yoko Taro, the brilliant mind behind the *Nier* series, is set to write a new *Evangelion* series, and while more Eva might make you initially groan, this chaotic wizard's involvement has me utterly captivated by the narrative possibilities. It's a bold, potentially reality-bending move that could redefine the iconic mech anime with a fresh, philosophical twist.
Right, so you know that feeling when you've finally finished a ridiculously complex RPG, seen all the endings, and then the devs announce a whole new branch you didn't even know existed? Well, strap in, mate, because that's pretty much how I felt waking up to the news from the *Neon Genesis Evangelion* 30th-anniversary bash in Japan. Apparently, we're getting a brand-spanking-new *Evangelion* series. My immediate thought? *Bloody hell, do we actually need more Eva?*
And then, like a plot twist thrown in by a mischievous digital entity, I saw the writer's name: Yoko Taro. And suddenly, my gentle skepticism took a sharp turn into 'okay, *now* you have my undivided attention.'
For those who've perhaps been living under a rock (or just haven't ventured into the beautifully broken worlds of Square Enix's *Nier* series), Yoko Taro isn't just any writer. He's the chap who brought us the existential, philosophical, and utterly heartbreaking narratives of *Nier: Automata* and *Nier Replicant*. This is a man who thinks in multiple playthroughs, alternate realities, and narratives designed to make you question everything you thought you knew about storytelling and, frankly, your own existence. He's a wizard of meta-narrative, a master of making you feel feelings you didn't know you had, often while wearing an elaborate mask.
Now, *Evangelion*. Where do you even begin with that behemoth? It’s not just an anime; it’s a cultural cornerstone, a psychological deep dive, and a series infamous for its multiple, often bewildering, endings that have sparked decades of fan debate, therapy sessions, and a shipping war so intense it makes most online fandoms look like a polite tea party. We had the original TV show, then *End of Evangelion* to ‘clarify’ things (it didn’t, really, but it was glorious chaos), and then the whole *Rebuild* film series, which finally wrapped up with *Thrice Upon a Time* not too long ago. It felt like Hideaki Anno, the original creator, had finally said his piece, stuck a bow on it, and walked away from the wreckage he so lovingly crafted.
So, the idea of *more* Eva, even for a seasoned veteran like myself, initially sounded like prodding an old, magnificent, but incredibly sensitive beast. But put Yoko Taro behind the keyboard? That’s like handing a mad scientist the keys to a reality-bending portal. What happens if *his* brand of narrative anarchy gets fused with *Evangelion*'s psychological trauma and giant robot battles? Fair dinkum, my brain is already doing backflips.
The original article, courtesy of Kenneth Shepard over at Kotaku, doesn't give us much beyond Taro's involvement. We're left to ponder whether this new series slots in before, during, or after the established timelines. But here's where my inner wizard starts reading digital tea leaves: *Evangelion*'s own *Rebuild* films already confirmed the existence of multiple timelines. Taro, as we know from *Nier*, absolutely thrives in exploring fragmented realities and divergent paths. Could this be a completely fresh take on the original saga, viewed through a different lens? Or perhaps a ‘Route C’ that explores a different branch after one of the many existing endings? Imagine the subtle, horrifying implications he could weave into the very fabric of the Eva universe, much like he did with the repeated cycles of suffering in *Nier: Automata*.
It’s a bold move, and honestly, a rather exciting one. While original creator Hideaki Anno isn't leading the charge this time (though his studio Khara is producing, which is a good sign for continuity on some level), it feels like the natural progression. Anno concluded his narrative. Passing the torch to someone like Taro, who understands the weight of philosophical storytelling and isn't afraid to get weird, feels… right. It's cautiously optimistic chaos, mate.
Joining Taro in this grand experiment are Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toru Yatabe as directors, both veterans with *Evangelion* experience, and credits on other legendary titles like *FLCL*, *Chainsaw Man*, and *Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX*. So, the project is in experienced hands, mechanically speaking. But it's Taro's narrative genius that promises to twist and turn this new venture into something truly unique, something that won't just be 'more Eva' but *Yoko Taro's Eva*.
Oh, and speaking of the 30th-anniversary shindig, there was also a 13-minute short starring Asuka, which, in typical *Evangelion* fashion, briefly showed a vision of her married to Shinji and having a kid before she rejected him. Because, of course, the decades-long shipping wars needed another gallon of petrol poured on them. Honestly, the commitment to fan turmoil is almost admirable. Bless their cotton socks.
So, am I still gently skeptical? A bit, yeah. Any time a beloved, concluded series gets a new lease on life, you always wonder if it’s truly necessary or just a cash grab. But with Yoko Taro in the writer's chair, the potential for something genuinely innovative, something that actually serves a compelling new narrative rather than just rehashing old ground, is sky-high. He’s known for dismantling expectations, and *Evangelion* is a series built on them. The fusion could be a chaotic, beautiful disaster – the best kind of disaster, if you ask me. I reckon this could be a bloody interesting ride. Let's hope he brings an accordion.
Tags: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Yoko Taro, Nier, Anime News, Gaming Culture
Original article: kotaku