Unit-01 Meets Godzilla Again in New Evangelion Figure Preorder
As Neon Genesis Evangelion heads into 2026 for its 30th anniversary, new merch continues to land—and this time it’s aiming straight at fans who enjoy the series’ darker instincts. A preorder is now open for a new Unit-01 figure that blends Shinji’s iconic mecha with Godzilla, turning what would normally be a clean crossover into something more ominous. It follows the kind of big anniversary partnership energy the franchise has built over the years, and it also nods to another recent figure-style release—just with added horror baked in.
30th Anniversary Plans and the Next Big Evangelion Project
After debuting on television in 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion quickly became one of the standout animated series ever made. Its reputation comes from how it leans into complicated emotions, mental health themes, and the lingering effects of trauma—elements that help it stand apart from other mecha stories. The series’ original run totals 26 episodes, and the 30-year milestone in 2026 is being marked with crossovers and special releases.
In February, a new Evangelion anime initiative was confirmed. The project is set to be written by Yoko Taro, known for Nier, and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, who previously worked as assistant director on the original series. The team also includes Toko Yatabe, who has credits on Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and Darling in the Franxx. While the article doesn’t name a release window, the overall tone is that anticipation is already extremely high.
Between the original Evangelion storyline and the Rebuild of Evangelion reboot, there have been several Evangelion movies with widely varying results.
Bandai and S.H. MonsterArts Tease Evangelion x Godzilla Unit-01
In early June, Bandai previewed a metallic take on its “Deforeal Evangelion Unit-01 ‘G’ Awakening Form,” along with a chibi-style version that merges Unit-01 and Godzilla. If you’re not into the super-deformed look, S.H. MonsterArts has a more substantial alternative: “Evangelion Test Type-01 ‘G’ Awakening Form.”
This figure measures 150mm (roughly 5.9 inches) tall and is positioned as a sturdier representation of the scary crossover between Shinji’s Eva and the King of the Monsters. The preorder includes the main body, heat ray effect parts, a dedicated display base, and spare horn components.
- Product: S.H. MonsterArts “Evangelion Test Type-01 ‘G’ Awakening Form”
- Size: 150mm (about 5.9 inches)
- Included items: main body, heat ray effect parts, dedicated base, spare horn parts
- Price: ¥17,600 (around $110)
- Preorders: open now
- Planned release: December 2026
Godzilla Background, Other Evangelion Crossovers, and Music Milestone
The Godzilla franchise needs little introduction. The first film in the series arrived in 1954, and since then, 33 Japanese movies have been released, alongside five American films. Beyond the screen, the property has expanded into video games, comics, TV programs, and a large merchandising footprint that aims to satisfy even long-time franchise devotees. The latest Godzilla entry, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, came out in 2024, and a follow-up, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, is scheduled for theaters in March 2027.
On the Evangelion side, the 30th anniversary has already sparked multiple prominent crossovers across anime and gaming. In April, players of Final Fantasy 14 were surprised to learn that the MMO’s next expansion would include a Neon Genesis Evangelion-themed raid. Even stranger (and more brand-spanning) is a recently revealed Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration: Evangelion is planned to appear in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds as part of both its anniversary celebrations and Sonic’s 35th year. A release date for the Sonic crossover hasn’t been provided yet.
Separately, Neon Genesis Evangelion is still remembered not only for its intense storytelling and unforgettable mecha battles, but also for its music. In late June, the Japanese variety show Professional Ranking announced a top 10 list of anime songs, with the series’ theme track “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” taking first place. The song is performed by Yoko Takahashi, and it recently marked its 1,000th week on the Oricon Weekly Karaoke Ranking Chart.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is available to stream on Netflix.
Cast and Voice Credits
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Cast
- Megumi Ogata — Shinji Ikari (voice)
- Kotono Mitsuishi — Misato Katsuragi (voice)
- Megumi Hayashibara — Rei Ayanami (voice)
- Yuko Miyamura — Asuka Langley Soryu (voice)
