Yoko Taro to Helm New Evangelion Anime Project
Studio Khara announces that Nier creator Yoko Taro will direct a new Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series. Yoko Taro Evangelion anime marks the first time Hideaki Anno passes the torch to another creator. The project arrives five years after the final Evangelion film and during the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Yoko Taro has long cited Evangelion as a major influence on his work with Drakengard and Nier. He previously stated that Nier: Automata’s story is essentially a retelling of Evangelion with little originality. Despite his humble assessment, fans recognize the deep connections between his games and Anno’s masterpiece.
A Creative Passing of the Torch
Hideaki Anno promised to leave Evangelion behind with the final film release. However, this announcement reveals a different future for the iconic franchise. Anno will now hand his series off to other artists with unique visions. Yoko Taro becomes the first creator to bring his own perspective to Evangelion. His work has always maintained spiritual connections to Evangelion thematically and stylistically. Both explore similar human subjects and apocalyptic story beats throughout their narratives. Thematically, Drakengard games share even clearer similarities with Evangelion than Nier. Characters, events, and world aspects all have ties to Anno’s legendary anime series.
What This Means for Evangelion’s Future
Fans might feel concerned about Evangelion continuing without Hideaki Anno’s involvement. Evangelion has always been a deeply personal story tied to its creator’s identity. Anno famously battled mental health struggles throughout the series’ creation. Those personal struggles clearly expressed themselves throughout Evangelion’s events and themes. However, Yoko Taro demonstrates absolute understanding and intense passion for Evangelion. His work consistently proves he can handle complex themes with sensitivity and depth. The similarities between his stories and Evangelion suggest he is the ideal successor. Evangelion enters a new era with its legacy in capable and passionate hands.
