The creator
of “ Neon
Genesis Evangelion ”, Hideaki Anno, has highlighted the
possibility of a sequel to the iconic franchise , while stating that
it could even be made by someone other than himself.
Anno sat
down to talk about his career and his new exhibition in Nagoya, Japan. When
asked if he wanted to make Evangelion sequels or if he wanted someone else to
make them, he replied: " Hmm, there might be something to that.
The prospect of an Evangelion sequel made by someone other than me could exist.
I haven't decided yet, or rather, it is better for the work that there is a
high degree of freedom. Whether it is commercially viable or interesting would
depend on the content. It's not that I'm saying I won't do another one or
anything like that ."
Although
an Evangelion sequel would undoubtedly spark great interest among fans, other
answers from Anno in the same interview suggest that he would not be the one to
direct it. Anno
is currently working on a special project for the anniversary of “Space
Battleship Yamato,” and says it represents a break from filmmaking. He
added that he was “mentally and physically devastated” by releasing films back
to back, after having made “Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” in 2021,
“Shin Ultraman” in 2022 and “Shin Kamen Rider” in 2023. Anno is known
in the industry for its high level of demand and for being involved in all
aspects of a degree.
“Evangelion:
3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time” is the latest installment of the franchise, which
marks the end of the “Rebuild of Evangelion” tetralogy. A 2021 interview
suggested that any sequel would not be a sequel to 3.0+1.0, with Anno saying:
" Right now, I don't feel like I'm going to continue the story
where I left off ."
Although the
news of an eventual return of “Neon Genesis Evangelion” should have been
unanimously taken as positive, there were actually contrary reactions
due to the fact that fans consider that there is nothing left to tell :
- « Shouldn't this be over
already? ».
- « No matter how much
time passes, it seems that Evangelion always returns .»
- « Given that Rebuild of
Evangelion spoiled many things from the original, is it trying to redeem
itself? ».
- « The employees of
Studio Khara need to eat, it is much more prolific to continue releasing
deliveries of Evangelion than new projects that do not know if they will
be well received or not, as is the case with Kaiju No. 8. »
- « A sequel to Rebuild of
Evangelion is impossible, isn't it? Are we going to start again with
Shinji's arrival in Tokyo? ».
- " This is
incredible. It's like betraying the expectations of the fans .
- " I guess it still
has popularity among pachinko users ."
- " I guess they want
to make generations like Mobile Suit Gundam ."
- " We all think the
same, surely they only do it for money, not for love of the franchise ."
Source: Yaraon!
