Official Side Story Novel "Evangelion ANIMA" by Ikuto Yamashita Launches as Audiobook! Comments Arrive from Planner/Writer Yamashita and Narrator Saki Aiya!!

KADOKAWA Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takeshi Natsuno; hereinafter KADOKAWA) announced the launch of the audiobook version of "Evangelion ANIMA" starting in June 2026. We present comments from Ikuto Yamashita, who planned and wrote the novel, and Saki Aiya, who narrates it, as the production and recording of subsequent volumes are in full swing.

"What if the Human Instrumentality Project had not been initiated...?"

"Evangelion ANIMA" is an official side story novel written by Ikuto Yamashita, the mechanical designer for the TV series "Neon Genesis Evangelion." It depicts an alternate story set three years after Episode 24, "The Last Cometh."

Serialized in Dengeki Hobby Magazine from 2008 to 2013, the novel was published in five volumes from November 2017 to March 2019. The series continues to receive strong support from fans, and it is now entering an exciting new phase!

You can now enjoy the story, where Shinji, Rei, Asuka, and others, who were 14-year-old middle school students in the TV series, are now 17, through audiobooks.

Volume 1 is now available on Audible. Subsequent volumes are scheduled for sequential release starting in July 2026. Ikuto Yamashita, who planned and wrote the novel, and voice actor Saki Aiya, who is the narrator, have sent their comments regarding this rapidly progressing project!

Audiobook Volume 1 is Currently Available

Comment from Ikuto Yamashita, Planner and Writer

When KADOKAWA's editor first told me about turning "Evangelion ANIMA" into an audiobook, my initial reaction was joy at experiencing a new medium. But then I thought, wait a minute... My work, in an attempt to describe "non-existent large things with insufficient vocabulary," resulted in long, convoluted, and overly logical sentences. I also feel that the use of pseudo-technical jargon to gloss over things might hinder the narration.

My mind was immediately filled with the question, "Can this even be read aloud?" However, as they say, it's better to do than to worry. I was first overwhelmed by how well Saki Aiya, the narrator, could embody the image of each character, and my feelings shifted to wanting to hear what comes next myself. At this point, I have no choice but to enjoy it together with the readers... or rather, the listeners!

"Evangelion ANIMA" takes advantage of not being an anime (since there's no need to draw it) by expanding outwards and inwards with sheer text. I wonder what it will be like when it's all narrated.

...And the more passionately it's performed, the more I realize I haven't written Toji's Kansai dialect correctly.

Ikuto Yamashita

Participated as a mechanical designer in numerous anime works such as "Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water," "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and "Yukikaze." For the novel "Evangelion ANIMA," he served as planner, writer, designer, and illustrator. In 2015, he directed the short animated film "The Idol" for the Japan Animator Expo. Born in 1965, from Gifu Prefecture.

Comment from Saki Aiya, Narrator

--What kind of preparations did you make for recording Volume 1?

I immediately rewatched the TV series after receiving the offer to reconfirm the world of "Evangelion" and its characters. I continue to do so. Regarding the characters, to deliver performances where listeners can discern who is speaking through their voice and speaking style, I researched each character's personality and way of speaking, as well as which vocal range of mine is closest to the original voices and how to make it clear when performing multiple characters alone. I struggled with the voices, but I experimented to see if I could adjust them to be closer to the original voices in terms of pitch and general atmosphere, without resorting to outright impersonation, as this would be easier for listeners to understand when narrating multiple characters who have been loved by many for 30 years. Since the world of this work is three years after TV episode 24, the characters are not exactly the same as in the TV series, but after establishing that foundation, I created the "Evangelion ANIMA" characters who have aged three years. I approached the recording of Volume 1 by considering in various ways how I could read and perform them to be enjoyable for everyone, but I was very anxious until I went to the studio. However, after the teachers confirmed the characters and the opening parts and gave their approval, I felt that I had finally established the foundation for this work within myself.

--Were there any difficulties or challenges during the actual recording?

There were many military and technical terms, as well as unfamiliar words that I don't usually use. Especially when difficult terms with many kanji appeared, even though I had marked where to pause and where the accents should be, I would still stumble over them. This was true for the narration as well, but it was particularly challenging for lines with many difficult words that were spoken with great force, and I often couldn't get them right on the first try... I apologize to everyone involved in the recording for the trouble I caused each time. Also, in sections with long modifiers or where modifiers were modifying other modifiers, I would think about how to stand out to make it understandable, but often I couldn't find a clear answer and proceeded with my review while puzzling over it. Additionally, since I am from Kyoto and had previously recorded a mix of standard Japanese and Kansai dialect for another work, I thought I would be fine with Toji's Kansai dialect. However, since Toji is the only character who speaks in Kansai dialect, and the majority of the text is in standard Japanese, switching between them was more difficult than I expected. If there are any parts with incorrect intonation, I would be grateful if you could gently close your eyes!

--Do you have a message for the fans of "Eva" and "Eva ANIMA"?

I am deeply honored to be able to enter the world of a work that you all love so much!

I hope you will enjoy this "Audiobook Version of Evangelion ANIMA" alongside the "Evangelion" series and "Evangelion ANIMA" that already exist in your hearts. And if this work can find a place within your love for "Evangelion," there would be no greater happiness for me. I will do my utmost to ensure you can enjoy the remaining volumes, so please look forward to them.

Saki Aiya

Affiliated with Production Ace. Born March 29th, from Kyoto Prefecture. Certified in French Proficiency Test Level 2 and Russian Proficiency Test Level 4.

[Featured Works]

"Gakuen Basara" (Carry)

"The Blacklist Season 8" (Allison), "Spin" (Rohan)

◆Game "Batoru! Otogi Wars" (Valkyrie), Game "Bejimakki!" (Okra)

◆Audiobooks "Evangelion ANIMA" series, "Date A Live" series

And others.

Distribution Overview

"Audiobook Evangelion ANIMA"

Distribution Store: Audible

Format: Complete Audiobook

Language: Japanese

Authors: Ikuto Yamashita, Yasuo Kashiwabara, Khara

Narrator: Saki Aiya

●Distribution Schedule and Store URLs

Evangelion ANIMA 1: Now Available [Audible Product Page]

Evangelion ANIMA 2: Around Late July 2026 [Audible Product Page]

Evangelion ANIMA 3: Around Late August 2026 [Audible Product Page]

Evangelion ANIMA 4: Around Late September 2026 [Audible Product Page]

Evangelion ANIMA 5: Around Late October 2026 [Audible Product Page]

*Please check the Audible website for pricing.

Original Novel Information

"Evangelion ANIMA" (5 Volumes) Now on Sale

KADOKAWA Official Website Series List >>

(C) Khara