Witnessed by 1.5 million people around the world! Report on "Shin Evangelion the Movie: Operation 0706," the fastest screening of the first 10 minutes of the final film! 50 images of the film are also included!

Shin Evangelion the Movie," the fourth film in the "Evangelion" movie series, has been eagerly awaited for completion by anime fans around the world. The event "Operation 0706 of 'Shin Evangelion the Movie'" was held on July 6, 2019, to simultaneously screen the first part of the film around the world.

Neon Genesis Evangelion" caused a social phenomenon when the TV series was broadcast in 1995.

In 2007, the series was relaunched as the "Rebuild of Evangelion" series, and three films, ":Introduction", ":Break", and ":Q", were released and became blockbuster hits. The fourth and latest film, "Shin Evangelion the Movie," will be released in 2020.

Prior to the release of "Shin Evangelion the Movie", the first part of the movie, "Shin Evangelion the Movie AVABT1 (the first 10 minutes 40 seconds 00 frames) 0706 version", was screened for the first time at Japan Expo, the world's largest Japanese pop culture event recognized by the Japanese government in Paris, France. The event was simultaneously broadcast in six locations in Japan, at the "Anime Expo" in Los Angeles, USA, and at the "Eva Plaza Screening Event" in Shanghai, China, attracting 1.5 million people worldwide and 300,000 people in Japan.

The Akiba Research Institute editorial staff hit one of the relay venues, Step Square in Hibiya, Tokyo! We covered the scene at the venue.

This is the last! Emi Ogata's comment made fans scream!

Fans gathered at the venue much earlier than the start of the event. The event was announced on the day of the event via the official "EVA-EXTRA" app that had just been released, but only 10 minutes after the event was announced, fans were spotted here and there. Additional slots were prepared. In the end, the curtain rose on "Operation 0706" with 1,300 fans in attendance.

The event started with a live performance by Yoko Takahashi. Dressed in an oriental costume reminiscent of a kimono, Takahashi sang "TENSIONS" with lyrics based on the BGM of the anime, followed by "Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis," the OP theme of the TV version. The French audience was excited by the standard song that has attracted many anime fans. The cheers and enthusiasm of the audience could also be felt from the video.

Next was the ED theme "FLY ME TO THE MOON". Ms. Takahashi sang with a beautiful falsetto, a change from her usual taut voice. It showed the depth of her nostalgia as a singer.

The audience sang along with her new song "Akaki Tsuki" from her recently released mini-album, and after the chorus, the finale was "Soul no Rufuran", the theme song of "Neon Genesis Evangelion the Movie: SITO Shinsei" released in 1997. The parade of songs from the world of "Eva" had fans clapping their hands in unison, even at the Hibiya venue.

After the live stage, Emi Ogata, who plays the main character Shinji Ikari, appeared on stage. A talk show was held with Ms. Ogata and Mr. Takahashi.

Ms. Ogata jokingly commented that she had been appealing to Director Hideaki Anno to "please make it before we die," as the series she has been involved in for 24 years is finally coming to its conclusion.

At the mention of the words "completion" and "the end," the audience responded with what could be described as cheers and screams.

He then revealed his feelings toward the work he had been involved with for so many years, saying, "I'm a little sad that it's actually the last one.

What is of interest is "how will it end? After all, the end of the old series "Neon Genesis Evangelion the Movie: Air/Magokoro wo Kimi ni" was a gonyo gonyo ....... This time, Anno asked Ogata-san which he would choose for the ending of the film. Only the director knows how much of Ogata-san's intentions are reflected in the film, but we are sure that he will surprise us again.

As a surprise, a video message from Director Anno was also introduced.

Paris is my favorite city, and I have always wanted to use it as the setting for Eva. I know it's a lot to take in, but I'm so moved to be able to depict Eva with the city of Paris as the setting," said the director, who also talked about his own feelings toward the city of Paris, while giving a spoiler about the film to be shown later.

I had used the Eiffel Tower as the setting for one of my films in the past, but back then I didn't have the time to go and visit the Eiffel Tower, so I was only able to draw it as I saw it," he added. I'm glad I was able to do that," Anno said, mentioning his involvement in the production of the animated TV series "Nadia on the Sea of Mystery," and the old-time anime fans grinned. After the director's message filled with such attentiveness and fan service, the "Shin Evangelion the Movie" AVABT1 (the first 10 minutes, 40 seconds and 00 frames) 0706 version was finally screened!

A look back with images! Avant footage featurette!

Here are some images taken at the venue. As the countdown began, the voices of fans reading out the numbers echoed through the streets of Hibiya.

Then, the film started with a recap of "Evangelion: Prelude," ":Break," and ":Q". The tension in the audience gradually increased with the storm of lines that came in like a machine gun, as well as the series of detailed cut-backs, just like in "Evangelion".

Finally, the long-awaited "Shin Evangelion the Movie" AVABT1 (the first 10 minutes, 40 seconds and 00 frames) 0706 version was shown!

This time the setting is Paris, France. This time the setting is Paris, France, where a fierce battle between Ville and NERV is depicted.

Ville's objective is to seize control of the Nerf base in France. There, they seem to be trying to recover spare parts of Unit 2 and retake the base facilities.

While Maya Ibuki and other Ville staff members try to hack the base, a vivid aerial battle unfolds between NERV's artificially created apostles and the "Unit 8 Initial Study Model" piloted by Mari Makinami Illustrious.

Finally, a large number of new mass-produced Eva-like weapons equipped with positron cannons make their appearance! It looks like a completely surprising mecha, or rather, seven days of fire!

The special effects movie sense typical of director Anno can be clearly felt.

From there, the positron cannon fired as one shot! It was as if it was a lie that they had gone through all that trouble to fire a single shot in the Yashima mission. But Ville also defended himself admirably! Amazing! Science and technology and combat capabilities are inflated! This is also very much like Anno's work.

To top it off, Unit 8 throws the collapsed Eiffel Tower and defeats Nerf! The unorthodox and furious development was overwhelming.

Finally, just in time, Ville takes control of the French Nerf system. The film ended with the city of Paris being restored.

Incidentally, personally, I was impressed by Ritsuko Akagi's image as she labored with Maya, who led the young men through their struggles.

The audience spontaneously applauded the 10 minutes of footage that ran through the film just like a storm.

How will the story unfold from here and will "Eva" reach its conclusion? The audience left the venue filled with anticipation, anxiety, and a mysterious sense of elation.

Movie Information

Shin Evangelion the Movie

Release date: 2020

Distributor: Toho, Toei Color