The first festival in the "Evangelion" series, "EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION", opens today, February 21st, at Yokohama Arena, Kanagawa. A preview for the media of the exhibition tour area "EVA EXTRA 30" was held, which was decorated with comprehensive direction by creators belonging to Studio Color.
“EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION” statue welcoming visitors
"EVA EXTRA 30" is centered around the central tower, which is the core of the "spatial concept" that can only be experienced at this event. Images, logos, and Evangelion motifs from each work in the series are projected one after another on six large LED monitors that form the central tower, accompanied by solemn background music. The countless LED bar lights placed throughout the area also change color to match the images, creating a majestic atmosphere in the space. After the doors opened, many visitors stopped in front of the monitors and watched the images.
There is also plenty of content around the central tower. For example, in the ``Virtual Camera Studio,'' the virtual camera system that was used to create the battle scenes for Unit 01 and Unit 13 in ``Shin Evangelion The Movie'' has been reconfigured, allowing visitors to take pictures of battle scenes. You can take three test shots and receive explanations from the staff, so even people who don't normally use cameras can take pictures with confidence. In addition, the captured video can be downloaded from the QR code written on the receipt issued at the reception.
In addition, around the central tower, there will be an Anniversary Park where Neon Genesis Evangelion will be shown on CRT TVs, a lounge where people involved in the series can enjoy cross-talk and video broadcast projects, MATERIAL of EVA where original drawings from Rebuild of Evangelion and cels from Neon Genesis Evangelion will be displayed, and a sign wall where visitors can freely leave messages. There are also autographs from the main cast, including Emi Ogata who plays Shinji Ikari, Megumi Hayashibara who plays Rei Ayanami, and Yuko Miyamura who plays Asuka Langley.
In the sponsor area, Fields, which will be displaying 38 machines of the "Pachinko/Pachislot Evangelion Series", CASETiFY, which makes collaborative smartphone cases, and BANDAI SPIRITS, SEGA FAVE, PIXELITY, Sapporo Beer, LINE Yahoo, ZOZO, AVIOT, and Wacom will be exhibiting. You can see collaborative products from each company. Some booths are also handing out novelty items and holding hands-on exhibits. The ``EVA EXTRA 30'' area, where you can enjoy these various exhibits, is designed to be a circular tour starting from the central tower, allowing you to visit the spaces one by one. Of course, there is no problem in coming and going freely.
Furthermore, on the second floor, there will be a fans market where you can find original Evangelion-themed works created by both professionals and amateurs, and you can purchase a variety of works such as garage kits, soft vinyl, and bracelets. There will also be a joint exhibition booth by Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture, which is currently holding a collaboration event with the series, as well as a booth for the ``Special Agency NERV Designated Disaster Prevention Stockpile Plan'', which will develop disaster prevention supplies based on the motif of the secret agency NERV that appears in the series.
