Two new sets of Evangelion Gashapon are on the horizon, both featuring Evas from Rebuild 2.0; You Can (Not) Advance. Part of the “Ultimate Action” line of Gashapon figures by Bandai, each set offers five different figures, most of which come with an accessory and feature some form of articulation. The first set (“Ultimate Action Neo”), due for release in late May, will feature Eva-00, Eva-01, Eva-02 and Lilith in their Rebuild incarnations, as well as a hanger and weapon set. The second set (“Ultimate Action Neo Extra”), due before July, will offer figures of Eva-01, Eva-02, Eva-03 (in both a standard and special variant color version) and another hanger/weapon set. Unlike the first collection however, each figure in the latter set comes with part of Eva-05, which can be used to assemble a complete Evangelion once you have collected all five different figures.

The parts packaged with the figures are a pair of forelegs (packaged w/ Eva-01), a pair of hind legs (w/ Eva-02), a pair of arms (w/ Eva-03) and a body (w/ hanger set). No pictures related to this second Gashapon set are available at this time. The figures measure approximately 110-120mm in height, and cost 400 yen each from japanese Gashapon vending machines. Going by past proceedings, full sets will likely surface on Ebay shortly after release.

• “Neo” product details and pictures at OtakuBoushi
• “Neo Extra” product details at AmiAmi

The toy fair, Tamashii Nation, in Tokyo’s Akiba Square, that lasts from March 26-29, showed off a 9cm tall figure of Mari as part of Bandai’s Tamashii (魂) line of figures. She is shown wearing the same outfit she’s seen in during the 2.0 trailer. There was an evastore post about this figure but the page seems to have disappeared. No news yet on preorders or availability, will update this post when more information is released.

• Tamashii Nation 2009 post at neko magic.
• Moeyo
• Hobbystock blog
• Tamashii Nation website

Four new Revoltech Eva figures attached to the new movie (Eva 2.0) go on sale in June: Eva-01, Eva-02, Eva-05, and one yet to be revealed. The announcement was made in the 5/09 issue of Dengeki Hobby, the magazine that serializes Evangelion Anima.

Although Eva-05 (closeup) is partially obscured and “grayed out” in the images available thus far, they provide additional insight into her design. Our first glimpse of Eva-05 from the preview in 1.0 established that there was something very strange about her arms, and, here, it seems to be because they are almost completely missing! The stubs that remain probably act as receptacles for interchangeable weapons (such as the giant lance-like objects seen in the preview) — so expect the Revoltech figure to include an assortment. Even more peculiarly, instead of the usual human-style legs, the Eva seems to have four mechanical appendages that terminate in wheel bases. “What has Science done?!?”

It’s going to be very strange seeing this Eva in action……

• Minna no Eva Fan 
• Revoltech Express
• Eva-05 @ EvaGeeks Wiki

Though announced some time ago, we never had a news post on it, so better late than never!

Yoshiyuki Sadamoto is coming out with a third book devoted exclusively to his works, Carmine, to be released on 3/25/09. It will compile over 100 of the illustrations released since his 2nd book, Der Mond, from such works as Neon Genesis Evangelion (of course!), FLCL, Diebuster, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and .hack. The Limited Release is priced at a rather steep 13000 yen (about $133 US), but includes five bonuses: a deluxe outer case; a CD-ROM; two large-format stick posters of Rei and Asuka; Sadamoto’s table talk with Hideaki Anno, Mamoru Hosoda, and Kazuya Tsurumaki; and two archival-quality genga (animation key frame drawing) reproductions. Published by Kadokawa Shoten, 160 pages total, and B4 size (the same as Der Mond).

EDIT: Apologies for the error about Carmine “compiling Alpha and Der Mond“; I’m not entirely sure how I arrived at this conclusion, but I have been tarred and feathered accordingly. Also, the aforementioned “genga” are apparently not “genga” as I’ve come to understand them, but just two finished illustrations from the book printed on card stock…

• Eva Store
• CD Japan
• Amazon.co.jp
• Review @ Eva Kinkyuu News (Japanese)

Yoshiyuki Sadamoto last treated Eva fans to a chapter of his manga adaptation around October 2007, and, after an unusually long procrastination cycle, it looks as though there just might still be hope.

According to a flyer packed with newly-released volumes of the Shinji Ikari Raising Project and Gakuen Datenroku manga,  the Evangelion manga will pick up in July ’09, in the debut issue of Kadokawa Shoten’s new magazine Young Ace. The manga had previously been serialized, since its inception in 1994,  in Kadokawa Shoten’s Shounen Ace. Watch for it!

Source: Eva Kinkyuu News by way of Anime News Network

Just as before, our first real look at Rebuild of Evangelion 2.0 is from a cellphone camera. This time, we don’t even have sound, and I think the quality is actually less. If I could pick apart everything that happens in this movie, it would amount to a mind boggling amount of stuff. Bardiel, Zeruel, Sahaquiel, Ireul, Leliel, Matarael, Sandalphon… just how many episodes and Angels do they plan to cram into this movie? Furthermore, how long is this movie? I am pleased to see that this movie has almost entirely new animation from what I can tell. That may just be the trailer for all we know, we’ll just have to wait until July 27th, when the film is released to know for sure.

The only confirmed Angels so far are Sahaquiel, Bardiel, and Zeruel. Episodes that are being utilized in some form include 08, 12, 15, and 17-19. -Reichu

• Veoh Link
• Downloadable: Version 1 | Version 2
• Cut-by-cut overview of the trailer
• EvaGeeks Wiki Page

A new poster for Rebuild 2.0 on Evangelion’s official homepage reveals Asuka’s new name and rank as follows:

Second Girl Asuka Langley Shikinami (Captain)

Asuka’s new last name, Shikinami now shares a kanji with Rei Ayanami’s last name. Text for the new character, glasses girl Mari, shows her name to follow a similar pattern to Asuka’s with having two surnames, although her full name hasn’t been revealed at this time.

LINKS:

• Asuka’s new name mentioned
• Evangelion official website (Japanese)
• Translated Movie Poster
• Review of the 2.0 Trailer
• Rough translation of the review
• Another Evangelion 2.0 Poster

Japanese character goods maker MOVIC is offering the official Evangelion Underpants Collection: Otoko no Tatakai(A Man’s Struggle). The underwear come in medium or large sizes and are available in Angel Monogram, Nerv and Seele logos, 6th Angel, and the humorous “Ugoite yo (Move!)” and “Nigecha Dame (I musn’t run away)”. One pair costs 525円, while all six are 3150円.

•  Announcement (Japanese)
•  ANN article
•  MOVIC (Japanese)

Also known as Puchi Eva, this 3DCG super-deformed spin off of Evangelion sees an official DVD release, a regular edition (7,350円) and a limited edition (8,190円). Both contains 2 discs, the first (“Nice Rainbow Disc”) contains 9 episodes and the second (“XEBEC Disc”) contains 15 episodes. The limited edition release includes a figurine and “special packaging”. Some of the extras include a video storyboard, CG modeling data, interviews with the directors, and music.

• Review of the DVD (Japanese, include nice pictures)
• Another Review
• Evastore links: Limited Edition, Regular Edition
• CD Japan links (international shipping): Limited Edition, Regular Edition
• Yes Asia links (international shipping): Limited Edition, Regular Edition
• Official Website

Radio Eva, an online clothing store geared toward adults, has collaborated with Lee to produce an Evangelion Unit-01 denim jacket. Available in medium and large, one of these will set you back some 29,400円 (about $300 U.S.). Other Radio Eva offerings from the past include a soccer ball, t-shirts, and shoes.

• Radio Eva website
• Radio Eva jacket at the evastore