According to creator Hideaki Anno, there is a possibility for another return of Neon Genesis Evangelion, but he may not be as involved if it does happen.
In the 2021 anime movie Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, we last witnessed Evangelion. This film marked the conclusion of the Rebuild of Evangelion series and appeared to provide a definite conclusion to the franchise by connecting the different timelines and giving Shinji a satisfying ending.
Hideaki Anno, the genius behind Evangelion who served as the director for the original anime show, The End of Evangelion, and Rebuild, has recently mentioned the possibility of a new chapter emerging in the future. During an interview with Asahi, he revealed that there are potential plans for another installment of Evangelion, though he might not be the one directing it.
Hideaki has made it clear that while no solid plans have been made, the possibility of future projects is on the table. He made the move to live-action filmmaking during the production of Thrice Upon A Time, where he also co-directed Shin Godzilla in 2016. This has opened up a new franchise for him, as he was the screenwriter for Shin Ultraman in 2022 and will co-direct Shin Kamen Rider in 2023.
Despite being the overseer of the Evangelion franchise since the early ’90s, it appears that his creative interests are shifting away from not only Evangelion but also anime as a whole. He does mention that he will be taking a break from filmmaking for a while, as the toll of releasing two successful blockbusters consecutively has greatly affected him.
According to him, the global shutdown left him feeling physically and mentally drained due to the constant pressure of producing new works. Evangelion is a complex franchise that combines elements of mecha and colossal creatures with thought-provoking themes of spirituality, alternate timelines, and human consciousness. In addition, the animation has consistently pushed boundaries, with the later films incorporating a mix of CGI and hand-drawn sequences that undoubtedly required a significant amount of time and effort.
Therefore, Hideaki’s decision to entrust someone else with the control of Evangelion could be seen as a way to preserve himself, as he strategically chooses where to direct his energy next. He has undoubtedly earned a well-deserved rest, and if Evangelion does make a comeback, it will most likely be under the guidance of competent individuals.
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