Evangelion's Next Chapter Needs to Fix Asuka's Tragic Arc
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Following the announcement of a new Evangelion anime series by Nier: Automata writer Yoko Taro, fans are calling for the franchise to finally give original character Asuka Soryu the emotional closure she was denied, drawing inspiration from a recent exclusive anniversary short.
The legendary Evangelion franchise is officially expanding into a new generation. During a massive 30th-anniversary celebration at the Yokohama Arena, creator Hideaki Anno announced an upcoming anime series spearheaded by Nier: Automata writer Yoko Taro. While plot details remain under wraps, the announcement came alongside an exclusive animated short focusing on the original Asuka Langley Soryu. Unfortunately, that short may never see a public release, leaving a vital piece of the character's journey locked away behind convention doors.
As reported by Polygon, the anniversary short features original timeline Soryu meeting her Rebuild universe counterpart, Asuka Shikinami Langley. The two discuss their trauma before Soryu demands a happier conclusion to her notoriously brutal narrative arc. Shikinami guides her through several alternate realities, including a domestic future where she and Shinji are older with a child. Soryu ultimately rejects these scenarios to accept her original fate, channeling the foundational themes of emotional acceptance that defined the classic series and its theatrical follow-ups.
Giving the reins to Yoko Taro marks the first time someone other than Hideaki Anno has steered the narrative direction of the core universe. This transition presents a massive opportunity for the franchise. Fans have spent decades watching Asuka shoulder some of the heaviest psychological burdens in anime history without ever receiving genuine closure. If Taro wants to honor the legacy of Neon Genesis Evangelion while carving out a fresh path, adapting or expanding upon the themes of this elusive anniversary short is the right move for the community.
Tags: Evangelion, Anime, Yoko Taro, Polygon, Gaming Culture
Original article: Polygon