The TV anime Neo Genesis Evangelion broadcast in 1995 was a huge hit.

A new mystery at every turn, fascinating characters, a detailed plot lined with references to the old testament and psychology and a high visual sense attracted many fans. The economic flow on effect was said to have generated ￥30 billion and created the phrase the “EVA phenomena”. This anime subsequently influenced others and numerous sub-cultures, and from 2007 the feature film series Rebuild of Evangelion (4 in series) hit the screens creating another boom.

The first in the series Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) was supported not only by past fans, but it garnered new fans with box office takings of ￥2 billion. The second in the series Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) doubled previous box office takings with ￥4 billion, being the fourth biggest Japanese movie that year. Based on the TV series You Are (Not) Alone was rebuilt on a high quality grand scale. The next You Can (Not) Advance introduced new characters and as the name implies the new destructive story changes direction. The next in the series Evangelion: 3.0 Quickening is one that fans just can’t wait for.

Doubling ￥4 billion will make ￥8 billion, an unprecedented figure. A new EVA legend could be drawing near!?

Ōkaba Masashi

[参照]
『ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版：破』作品情報ページ」
http://www.evangelion.co.jp/introduction.html

(社)日本映画製作者連盟
http://www.eiren.org/toukei/index.html
http://www.eiren.org/toukei/2007.html