Image: Push Square

Key Takeaways

  • A brand new Evangelion series has been officially announced.
  • Yoko Taro, the twisted mind behind the NieR games, is writing the new Evangelion series.
  • Veteran composer Keiichi Okabe, known for his work on NieR and Tekken titles, is handling the score.
  • The announcement comes as NieR: Automata smashes past 10 million sales globally.
  • Square Enix is teasing "more to come" following NieR: Automata's monumental success.

Alright, gamers and anime aficionados, gather 'round because this is one of those cross-media bombshells we genuinely didn't see coming. In a move that's got us all rubbing our eyes, a new Evangelion series is on the horizon, and it's being spearheaded by two absolute titans of the gaming world.

Yoko Taro & Okabe: A Crossover We Didn't Deserve

Let's cut right to the chase: the enigmatic and often delightfully twisted mind of Yoko Taro, the visionary director behind the NieR franchise, is penning this brand-new Evangelion series. Seriously, our collective jaws hit the floor. This is not just an anime announcement; it's a monumental collision of creative forces that could redefine what we expect from interdisciplinary storytelling.

As if that wasn't enough to break the internet, the soundtrack for this new Eva project is in the more-than-capable hands of Keiichi Okabe. For those keeping score, Okabe-san is the maestro behind the atmospheric and unforgettable scores of *all* the NieR games, as well as standout tracks across various Tekken titles. Pairing Taro's narrative prowess with Okabe's sonic genius? This isn't just a collaboration; it's a potential game-changer for the anime landscape, especially given their history of crafting emotionally resonant, deeply philosophical experiences.

Evangelion's Legacy Meets a Fittingly Twisted Vision

For the uninitiated, Neon Genesis Evangelion isn't just another mecha anime. Since its debut way back in 1995, it's cemented itself as a stone-cold classic, notorious for its deep dives into psychological drama, existential horror, and themes that stick with you for decades. On the surface, it's giant robots fighting monsters; underneath, it's a labyrinth of human psyche. With Taro's penchant for deconstructing narratives and exploring the darker facets of humanity in titles like NieR: Automata and Replicant, we believe this is an unexpectedly perfect fit. The source even hints at it, suggesting Taro's starting to feel like a "good fit" for Eva's horror-tinged themes – and frankly, we concur.

It's worth noting Evangelion hasn't been dormant. The "Rebuild of Evangelion" movie series, a modern retelling that began in 2007 and concluded in 2021, already proved the franchise's ability to evolve. Our take is that this new series could tie into that modern narrative, potentially expanding on the divergent paths the Rebuild films eventually took. The possibilities are genuinely mind-bending.

NieR's Reign Continues, Square Enix Teases More

Adding another layer of significance to this news, NieR: Automata has just hit an astounding 10 million units sold worldwide. This isn't just a win for Square Enix; it's a testament to the enduring appeal and critical acclaim of the NieR universe, a universe heavily shaped by Taro and Okabe. Following this monumental sales milestone, Square Enix has teased "more to come," leaving us on the edge of our seats. While the immediate "more" is Taro's Evangelion, we can't help but wonder what else is brewing in the NieR camp.

This confluence of NieR's continued success and its key creators tackling an iconic franchise like Evangelion is massive. It signals a thrilling period for fans of deep, thought-provoking narratives, whether they prefer their stories delivered via controller or screen.