To call Neon Genesis Evangelion a textbook example of a “cash-cow franchise” is a massive understatement. Yet amidst all the merchandise and tie-ins, what if you were told that the franchise’s reach extends to countryside rails? That’s precisely what happened when Tenryu Hamanako Railroad collaborated by unveiling a train with Eva wrappings on November 19th, 2021, helping bolster tourism in the region.
「エヴァンゲリオン」のキャラクターをイメージしたラッピング列車の運行が、静岡県西部を走る天竜浜名湖鉄道で始まりました。https://t.co/YVqgIOvkzj#nhk_news pic.twitter.com/Z6Vil61XY7
— NHKニュース (@nhk_news) November 19, 2021
At a glance, this might seem out of left field. While the railway company — which operates in western Shizuoka Prefecture and around the bustling city of Hamamatsu — has been operating since 1936, it’s not exactly as famous or popular as Japan’s major lines. Anyone who’s seen Rebuild 3.0+1.0: Twice Upon a Time (2021), though, will find that the trains forming parts of “Village-3” very recognizable, as they’re the same models as the ones being used in real life. As remarked to NHK by a local office worker who attended the unveiling, the design seemed “very elaborate”, much as in the anime.
In addition to trains, however, there’s also been attention around the rustic Tenryū-Futamata Station, known for its turntable and fan-shaped garage. Beyond its historical significance, it has been cited as the main inspiration behind the station in the middle of Village-3, attracting both fans outside the prefecture, and locals amazed by how such iconic imagery is so close by.
This is undoubtedly a boon not just for the railway company, but also for the region as a whole. And given how there’s also an upcoming Eva guidebook showing travelers some of the real-world inspirations behind certain scenes, you can bet the franchise is certainly doing its part in helping bolster tourism, even for the lesser-known parts of Japan. With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted across the board, perhaps soon even foreigners can get their chance to experience this as well.
