Right, So Yoko Taro is Conjuring Up a New Evangelion Series – My Brain Just Did a Barrel Roll

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·

Right, So Yoko Taro is Conjuring Up a New Evangelion Series – My Brain Just Did a Barrel Roll

Gaming icon Yoko Taro, known for the *NieR* series, is set to write a new *Evangelion* series, a reveal that has left fans both thrilled and existentially puzzled, especially after *Thrice Upon a Time*'s seemingly final conclusion. With his signature dark themes and Keiichi Okabe on music, it's a match made in melancholic heaven that promises unique narrative chaos.

You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit *too* well, maybe tearing a slight hole in the fabric of reality? Yeah, well, that's pretty much how I felt when I stumbled upon this news, originally reported by Connor Makar over at Eurogamer.net: Yoko Taro, the magnificent, mask-wearing madman behind the likes of *NieR* and *Drakengeng*, is officially penning a brand-spanking-new *Evangelion* series. Bloody hell, mate, my mind just did a triple backflip and landed in an existential puddle.

This colossal revelation dropped as part of *Evangelion*'s 30th-anniversary shindig, like a meticulously placed lore dump in the middle of a celebratory stream. According to the original report, the credit page for this upcoming series quietly appeared on the official *Evangelion* website. Beyond Taro-san taking up the pen, the show’s set to be directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toru Yatabe, with the ever-brilliant Keiichi Okabe, a long-time Bandai Namco composer and the musical genius behind *NieR: Automata*'s phenomenal soundtrack, handling the score. If that doesn't make your ears perk up, I don't know what will.

Now, the big question, the one everyone’s muttering under their breath: what in the multi-layered, psychologically damaging, robot-versus-angel hell is this new series actually going to be about? We're all fresh off the heels of *Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time*, which, let’s be fair, served as a pretty definitive, if emotionally exhausting, conclusion to Shinji Ikari's journey. It felt like a final, heartfelt plea from creator Hideaki Anno to, well, *move on* from *Eva* and live your own life. So, to then announce *more Eva* with Yoko Taro at the helm? It's like being told the world's about to end, then being offered a delicious cup of tea right before the meteor hits. Conflicting signals, anyone?

But let's talk about the man himself, Yoko Taro. His inclusion isn't just a random celebrity cameo. His work, especially *NieR: Automata*, has always worn its *Evangelion* inspirations on its metallic sleeve. He himself credited *Neon Genesis Evangelion* as a primary influence for *Automata*, a game that, quite frankly, exploded our minds and our sales charts after its 2017 release. And it’s not just superficial nods; the thematic parallels are *deep*. *Automata*'s philosophical musings on existence, purpose, humanity (or the lack thereof), consciousness, and the cyclical nature of suffering absolutely scream *Evangelion* from a dystopian hilltop.

Think about it: Taro’s narratives are famous for their existential dread, their willingness to throw multiple, often conflicting, perspectives at you, and their exploration of what it truly means to be alive (or artificial). He crafts stories where the 'villains' often have deeply empathetic motivations, and the 'heroes' are plagued by inner turmoil and external forces beyond their control. Sound familiar, *Evangelion* fans? We're talking about a creator who thrives on emotional gut-punches and narrative ambiguity. He doesn't just tell stories; he crafts experiences that leave you staring blankly at a wall for an hour, questioning everything. That's pure *Evangelion* energy right there.

This is where my gently skeptical, but oh-so-curious, wizard brain kicks in. Will this new series be a spiritual successor, exploring similar themes with a fresh cast? Could it be set in an alternate universe, perhaps one of Taro's signature meta-narrative loops? Or will it somehow, against all logical narrative conclusions, drag poor Shinji back into the cockpit of an Eva, forcing him to confront yet another flavor of galactic-scale misery? Honestly, the thought of Yoko Taro taking the reins means it could be literally *anything*, and that's both terrifying and exhilarating. He's not one for playing it safe, which is a massive plus.

Then there's Keiichi Okabe on music. The ethereal, melancholic, and often downright haunting soundscapes of *NieR: Automata* are a testament to his ability to evoke deep emotion and atmosphere. Combine that with *Evangelion*'s already iconic, genre-defining soundtrack, and we could be in for an auditory masterpiece that elevates the existential angst to stratospheric levels. Imagine the fusion: the haunting beauty of Okabe’s compositions meeting the raw, often chaotic, emotional core of *Evangelion*. My ears are ready for a glorious trauma-induced symphony.

From a player's (and viewer's) perspective, this is a real mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, more *Evangelion*! From a creator whose thematic approach is perfectly aligned with the series' core philosophy! That's a massive win. On the other, there's that nagging voice in the back of my head: did *Thrice Upon a Time* not give us a profound, albeit bittersweet, ending? Do we really *need* more? The gaming industry is full of beloved IPs that get extended well past their natural lifespan, often diluting their legacy. But if anyone can justify revisiting a 'concluded' story and injecting it with new, meaningful life, it's Yoko Taro. He's a storyteller who understands the power of a narrative's ending, and perhaps, the necessity of its aftermath.

So, I'm cautiously optimistic. This isn't just another corporate cash-grab *Evangelion* spin-off; it's a genuine creative crossover that feels… *right*, in a twisted, slightly concerning way. It's an opportunity to see one of gaming's most unique voices tackle an anime titan, potentially weaving a tale that respects the original while pushing its boundaries in ways only Taro-san could. What happens if this new series actually manages to transcend its predecessor's ending and offer something truly new and profound? That, mates, is the kind of digital magic I'm always eager to witness, even if it leaves me contemplating the meaning of life for a few weeks afterward. Bring on the philosophical mechs and the inevitable emotional devastation, I say!

Tags: Yoko Taro, Evangelion, NieR, Anime, Gaming News

Original article: Eurogamer