Life-size Evangelion replica in Kyoto
From a giant Godzilla attraction that lets visitors zipline into its mouth to Hello Kitty wedding planners, Japan seems to have a penchant for recreating fictional characters in real life.
That’s why fans of popular anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion will be pleased to hear about Japan’s next life-size replica project – an EVA Unit-01 statue that lets you climb onto its palms like Eva pilots.
Gigantic EVA Unit-01 statue
Image credit: @EVA_kyotobase
A replica of EVA Unit-01 from the popular anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion has arrived in Toei Studio Park and will be officially launched soon.
Image credit: @EVA_kyotobase
The studio park, which is located in Kyoto, is a film set-turned-theme park modelled after the Edo period. Known for being the filming location of many period dramas (jidaigeki), the park is popular with visitors who want to rent Edo–period costumes and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of old Japan.
It’s hard to miss the 15-metre gigantic purple EVA Unit-01 statue that’s juxtaposed against rows of traditional Japanese buildings.
Image credit: @EVA_kyotobase
Come closer and you’ll find that the cyborg is half-submerged in a pool of red LCL fluid, which allows Eva pilots to mentally link with their Evangelion unit. Visitors can climb on top of its palm to take photos and picture themselves as Eva pilots from the anime series.
Image credit: @EVA_kyotobase
Aspiring pilots can also go into the entry plug, a capsule-like tube that houses the characters in the Eva, to measure their synchronisation rate with the cyborg unit.
Collaborative food and merchandise
Image adapted from: Toei Studio Park
Image adapted from: Toei Studio Park
New collaborative food items and drinks will be available at the NERV cafe, located right in the park. After an exhausting day at the park, visitors can enjoy a plate of purple or red curry rice, with each colour representing EVA Unit-01 and 02 respectively. In case you’re wondering, the purple comes from the natural colouring of beet juice.
Each serving costs ¥1,000 (~USD9.24). Check out the rest of the menu here.
Green tea from Ujitawara, the hometown of green tea, with special Evangelion packaging.
Image credit: @EVA_kyotobase
In order to fit in with the old atmosphere of Toei Studio Park, the Neon Genesis Evangelion characters are given a whole new look and decked out in kimono and period costumes in the collaborative goods.
Acrylic figure stand of the characters
Image credit: Toei Studio Park
The special edition merchandise ranges from collectibles like badges and acrylic figure stands to specialty food items like tea bags.
Image credit: @kita246
If you’re not one for merchandise, you can also opt for a commemorative photo with the cardboard cutouts of the characters.
Advance preview admissions and more details about opening
Evangelion Kyoto Base in TOEI Studio Park will officially open its doors to the public on 3rd October and visitors have until 20th December to experience this life-size mecha for themselves. Tickets are priced at ¥2,400 (~USD22.61) for adults, ¥1,400 (~USD13.19) for middle schoolers aged 13 to 15, and ¥1,200 (~USD11.31) for kids aged 3 to 12.
But if you can’t wait, there are limited tickets available for advance previews on weekends and public holidays till 27th September. A total of 120 preview tickets, staggered across specific time slots, will be available for sale. Purchase can be made through the Loppi machine at any Lawson convenience store.
Life-size Evangelion replica in Kyoto
Unfortunately, international travel still seems like a distant future amidst a raging pandemic that doesn’t show any sign of going away. Until we can personally visit Japan again, this virtual walkthrough of Evangelion Kyoto Base is our best option.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Address: 10 Uzumasa Higashihachiokachō, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8161, Japan
Opening hours: 10AM-5PM | Closed on Thurs
Telephone: 0570-06-4349
Website
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- Free anime streaming on Youtube
Cover image adapted from: @EVA_kyotobase