I’m rather reluctant to call this an April Fools joke.
Usually, Japanese companies are super incredibly clear about labeling stuff as an April 1st gag. This hit earlier today, appearing on the official Evangelion site as the “most maximum collaboration of 2016.” So, that’s what it is, really. A tie-up between two different properties, which happens all the time in Japan and elsewhere.
That’s why, the subsite on the official page for the upcoming Shin Godzilla movie has Evangelion x Godzilla goods for sale, which will be out starting later this month and continuing through June. So yeah, that’s long after April Fools’ Day is over, and this (this being merch) is way too normal to be a joke. Perhaps, some people were fooled into thinking this was a movie?
The lede art is done by veteran animator and character designer Mahiro Maeda, who is currently working on the new Godzilla film. Among his many illustrious credits, he cut his teeth working on classic anime like Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Know who else worked on that? Shin Godzilla director Hideaki Anno, who is probably best known as Evangelion’s creator.
See? The tie-up items for sale all make sense, and this is more fan service than April Fools.
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