Neon Genesis Evangelion's EVA-01 Just Got A Godzilla Redesign, And It's Absolutely Badass

There are few more iconic titles in anime than Neon Genesis Evangelion. Since its 1995 premiere, the series has amazed, shocked, confused, and, most importantly, made a long-lasting and profound impact on the lives of countless fans around the world. Through a series of 'rebuild' films, a separate-but-connected manga adaptation, games, and all the merchandise one can imagine, the franchise has remained one of the most successful in anime history.

In the endless sea of Evangelion merchandise are some of the wildest collaborations not even the biggest of fans could have seen coming, and it appears a new exciting mash-up has just arrived.

Almost 10 years ago, Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno took on the Godzilla franchise with the haunting and unforgettable Shin Godzilla, a film that used the iconic kaiju to highlight the shortcomings of the Japanese government following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Now, a new crossover is bringing the two franchises together.

Evangelion's Mechs Are Getting a Godzilla Redesign

Eva Units 01 and 02 Have Been Infused with G-Cells in a New Official Release

While Evangelion has remained popular largely because of its deeply human drama and relatable characters, the series' success has certainly never been hurt by its iconic mech designs. The Evangelion units are instantly recognizable, and it's a treat whenever they take to the screen to break up the heavy, meditative tone of the series.

Now, in a release available on the official U.S. Godzilla website, Eva Units 01 and 02 have been infused with Godzilla's G-cells, causing the mechs to undergo some monstrous mutations in a new line of collaborative collectible figures. Shinji's Evangelion Unit-01 keeps all its distinguishable features, while sporting a burning Godzilla arm and tail.

Asuka's Unit-02 takes on more of a beastly form, using the Beast Mode version of the mech from Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance as its base. There's a bit more Godzilla to be found in the Unit-02 figure, with most of its defining features being taken over by the kaiju design.

It isn't the first time Evangelion's iconic human-mechs have clashed with the Godzilla franchise, but the latest collaboration is by far the most striking and detailed. The figures come attached with a rather large price tag, but the visual quality of the collaboration is at the very least worth it.

Hideaki Anno's Godzilla Vision Was a Haunting Experience Deserving of a Sequel

During the lengthy production of Evangelion's 'rebuild' films, creator Hideaki Anno, feeling particularly burnt out and overwhelmed by his own creation, stepped away and set his creative focus elsewhere. The result was 2016's Shin Godzilla, a unique and haunting take on the iconic kaiju. In the years since its release, the film has gained a cult following of fans who otherwise would likely never have explored the other 37 Godzilla films.

Now that Anno has left Evangelion behind, there wouldn't be many unhappy fans if he decided to return to the Godzilla franchise for another go at the creature. Though with his complicated history of sequels, Anno may be better off setting his sights somewhere new.

As Evangelion fans await the new installment in the franchise written by Nier's Yoko Taro, they can get their fill of the Eva Units in the collaboration with Godzilla, now available on the official U.S. online shop.