A Shinkansen high-speed train, also known as the Bullet train, is getting a "Neon Genesis Evangelion" facelift in commemoration of the popular anime's 20th anniversary and the 40th year of the Sanyo Shikansen line.
It might still take a long time before Japan builds any towering bio-machines in the style of "Neon Genesis Evangelion", but it looks like it is doing an alternative way to make it happen. According to Engadget, Japanese train operator JR West is planning to dress up one of its super-fast bullet trains to look like the a mecha from the anime series. This is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the popular mecha anime, as well as the 40 years that have passed since the completion of the Sanyo Shikansen line.
As per the Verge's report, the newly christened "500 Type Eva" train will be decorated in the flashy purple color, similar to the iconic Unit-01 from the show. West has also reportedly promised an Evangelion-themed interior to match the outside appearance, and heaps of commemorative products and memorabilia for the fans to purchase. The redesigned train will complete two trips from Osaka to Fukuka daily, with operations slated to commence this autumn until March 2017.
Apart from the train, the popular apocalyptic series is also slated to get a live-action film. As previously reported, "Transformers" director Michael Bay was rumored to helm the movie, but recently confirmed his exclusion in the project through a Twitter post. There has been no update regarding the adaptation ever since.
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is a Japanese animated series created by Hideaki Anno which released 26 episodes back in 1995 and 1996. It centers on a teenage pilot of of a bio-mechanical fighting machine known as an Evagelion as he goes into combat with outrageous and monstrous creatures known as Angels.
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