
As waste gasses from fossil fuels continue to choke our planet and money-grubbing businessmen propose plans to frack (and that’s not some coy euphemism) the very ground we walk on to get at even more of the stuff, more and more people are doing their bit to be kind to the environment. Solar panels can be seen up on the roofs of residential buildings, people separate their waste so that as much of it can be recycled as possible, and more consumers than ever are choosing electric or hybrid vehicles.
And now, Japanese motorists have another reason to go green: Evangelion-themed electric car charging stations!
In a move to promote its line of “Elseev” charging poles, Panasonic has teamed up with ever-popular anime smash Evangelion to produce these specially themed charging stations for cars that run on lovely clean fizzbang rather than the liquid remains of once-living organisms.
The pump-like stations are being installed in the town of Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is a popular getaway for Tokyoites due to its close proximity to the capital and picturesque landscape. And of course, as fans of the anime will know, in the world of Evangelion, Hakone actually features as “Tokyo-3”–what better place to install a series of futuristic green juice boxes to run eco cars on!?
Although there are currently only two designs in operation (models 01 and 02 in the above image), stations featuring whole Eva gang, from Rei to Kaworu, are also due to be rolled out soon, though we’re not sure when they’ll arrive or whether they’ll be a permanent feature. We certainly hope they’re here to stay, though, as charging up is a lot more fun when you’re pretending to refuel your own mini mecha!



Take a tour of Tokyo-3 on an Evangelion bus
Hakone Opens an Evangelion Themed Souvenir Shop, Hopes They Don’t Get Overrun With Fans Again
Hakone volcano erupts on small scale
We visit Evangelion’s real-life Village-3, a hidden gem where time has stopped【Photos】
Visiting Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 anime locations in real-life Hakone【Photos】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Believe it or not, this row of retro Japanese bars is actually a hotel!【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases new “Butterflies in the Forest” Totoro towels
Starbucks Japan new Nyu Frappuccino: An old-school throwback that reminds us of Osaka【Taste test】
Japanese restaurant chain serves up super thick soba noodles in Tokyo
Many foreign tourists not picking up, paying for their orders at 100-year-old Tokyo sweets shop
The best Japanese curry in Japan isn’t eaten at a restaurant
Nara deer shikadamari phenomenon continues to baffle visitors at Nara park
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan now has talking Evangelion ATMs
Godzilla vs. Evangelion towels need all of Japan as stage big enough to contain their awesomeness
Blood-red Evangelion hot spring bath to open in Japan for fun, relaxing terror
City hall in Japan now has a giant Evangelion robot statue in its lobby【Videos】
Japan Railway Company to end awesome Evangelion Shinkansen service soon, makes us all sad
Evangelion episode to be shown on giant skyscraper monitors across Japan for 20th anniversary
Real-life Evangelion apartment in Japan is ultra-cheap, ultra-anime【Photos】
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
Edible Evangelion Angel cores now on the menu at Coco’s Japan【Taste Test】
500 Type Eva Cafe releases exclusive lineup of Evangelion-themed meals, sweets and drinks
Official Evangelion rations now on sale at movie theaters across Japan
Evangelion, Spice and Wolf LED manhole covers installed in otaku-friendly neighborhood in Japan
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
Japan now has a transforming giant robot/car that two full-sized adults can ride in【Video】
10 things Japan gets awesomely right
Leave a Reply