'Evangelion' 30th Anniversary Festival Held at Yokohama Arena! Director Hideaki Anno and 13 Legendary Cast Members Gather for 'OPENING of 30th ANNIVERSARY' [DAY1]

The festival event "EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION" commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 'Evangelion' series was held at Yokohama Arena over three days from February 21 to 23, 2026.

On the first day, February 21, the opening event 'OPENING of 30th ANNIVERSARY' was held. Following a countdown video, Yoko Takahashi appeared and performed the theme song "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" in a dress colored to evoke Evangelion Unit-01. The event opened with a production featuring pen lights imitating a cross-shaped light.

Subsequently, with MC Natsuki Matsuzawa hosting, the stage welcomed a luxurious voice cast that embodies the history of the series, including Megumi Ogata (Shinji Ikari), Megumi Hayashibara (Rei Ayanami), Yūko Miyamura (Asuka Langley), Maaya Sakamoto (Mari Makinami Illustrious), Kotono Mitsuishi (Misato Katsuragi), Yuriko Yamaguchi (Ritsuko Akagi), Akira Ishida (Kaworu Nagisa), Fumihiko Tachiki (Gendou Ikari), Tetsuya Iwanaga (Kensuke Aida), Junko Iwao (Hikari Horaki/Hikari Suzuhara), Miki Nagasawa (Maya Ibuki), Hiro Yūki (Makoto Hyuuga), and Kōichi Yamadera (Ryouji Kaji). Finally, the creator of the series, Hideaki Anno, joined them, creating a spectacular scene truly befitting the culmination of this 30th anniversary project.

Ogata, receiving thunderous applause, greeted the audience: "From those who watched on TV Tokyo during the evening time slot 30 years ago to young people who have recently become fans, to be able to celebrate this 30th anniversary together with all kinds of people makes me truly happy. Thank you so much for these 30 years. Please enjoy these three days starting today."

Hayashibara continued, "From the scale of this event and its three consecutive days, I can see just how significant the achievements and feelings that 'Evangelion' has left in history are... We who are involved are of course happy too. Members who rarely meet even during dubbing sessions are all gathered here, and even those who couldn't come today—there are seniors watching over us (looking up to the sky)—but in any case, I want to see this through to the end."

Miyamura also called out, "I came here wanting to enjoy myself, but I was surprised by the scale. I'm still feeling a bit dazed and can't really say anything, but I can definitely feel everyone's excitement and anticipation, so I want to energize the crowd." Sakamoto then greeted with deep emotion, "Mari Makinami Illustrious appeared in 2009, so I participated in half of this 30-year history, but thank you for inviting me to this memorable day."