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Neon Genesis Evangelion Anime Celebrates 30th Anniversary with “Flashback” Album from Yoko Takahashi
The beloved anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, originally directed by Hideaki Anno and produced by Gainax, is celebrating its momentous 30th anniversary in 2025. As part of the official milestone festivities, long-time series vocalist Yoko Takahashi will release a special commemorative album titled EVANGELION FLASHBACK, featuring both classic and newly recorded tracks from the franchise’s musical legacy.
Celebrating Three Decades of Evangelion’s Iconic Music
EVANGELION FLASHBACK is scheduled for release on October 29, 2025, and will include 15 tracks spanning the history of the Evangelion anime franchise. Among the collection are seminal works such as the iconic opening theme “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis”, which originally propelled the anime into cultural prominence, and the haunting ending theme from the film Death and Rebirth, “Soul’s Refrain”.
Fans will also find a special addition to the tracklist: a newly recorded cover of “Kyo no hi wa sayonara”, a classic Japanese track originally performed by Ryoko Moriyama in 1967. This song was previously covered by voice actress and singer Megumi Hayashibara, who voices Rei Ayanami, in the 2009 film Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.
Yoko Takahashi’s Continued Legacy Within Evangelion
Yoko Takahashi has been closely associated with the franchise since her original performance of A Cruel Angel’s Thesis became a global phenomenon. Her voice helped define the soundscape of the series and has been an integral part of Evangelion’s lasting legacy. This new album not only pays tribute to past works but also introduces fresh interpretations, offering a comprehensive reflection of Evangelion’s musical journey over the last 30 years.
Special Edition LPs and Merchandise
As part of the broader 30th anniversary celebration, two limited-edition vinyl LPs will launch on February 21, 2026. One LP will be dedicated to A Cruel Angel’s Thesis while the other focuses on Soul’s Refrain. Other tracks from the EVANGELION FLASHBACK album will be distributed between the two records, providing collectors with a unique opportunity to own these landmark songs in physical form.
Additionally, a commemorative portable record player will be released on the same day. Designed especially for the anniversary, this special-edition item complements the LPs and offers fans a way to enjoy the music with vintage flair.
Original Artwork and Album Packaging
The album cover for EVANGELION FLASHBACK features rare artwork from the franchise’s original production. Specifically, it includes a genuine animation cel from the series’ opening credits sequence. This limited piece has been sourced from the Anime Tokusatsu Archive Center (ATAC), an institution that preserves historically significant anime and special effects materials.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Production and Availability
Neon Genesis Evangelion first aired in October 1995 and has since become one of the most influential and critically acclaimed anime in history. Directed by Hideaki Anno and produced by animation studio Gainax with animation support from Tatsunoko Production, the series offered a deep, psychological take on the mecha genre, blending science fiction themes with intense character introspection.
The story centers on teenager Shinji Ikari, who is recruited to pilot a giant bio-mechanical weapon known as an Evangelion to protect Earth from mysterious beings called “Angels.” The voice cast includes Megumi Ogata as Shinji Ikari, Megumi Hayashibara as Rei Ayanami, and Yuko Miyamura as Asuka Langley Soryu.
Currently, the original television series and its associated film adaptations are officially available through GKIDS on home video, and Netflix for streaming, offering both subtitled and dubbed formats.
GKIDS Official Series Synopsis
As described by GKIDS, the series takes place in the year 2015, where Tokyo-3 is under siege by mysterious lifeforms known as Angels. In response, humanity unleashes its final hope: the Evangelion units. Young pilots must confront not only these devastating enemies but also their own inner struggles as the boundary between human and alien becomes increasingly blurred. Thought-provoking, emotional, and visually arresting, Neon Genesis Evangelion redefined anime storytelling.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
As the franchise continues to mark its 30th anniversary, other major projects are also in development. A new extended reality (XR) game based on Neon Genesis Evangelion is officially scheduled for launch in 2026, further expanding the franchise into immersive digital experiences.
With EVANGELION FLASHBACK, Yoko Takahashi and the production team are offering fans a heartfelt tribute to the series’ musical depth and emotional resonance. As Evangelion moves into its fourth decade, its impact on anime, music, and storytelling remains unparalleled.
