Hakuto, Japan’s first civilian team that aims to send an unmanned lunar expedition, announced that it is providing technical assistance to the “Project to Pierce the Moon With the Spear of Longinus” on Friday. The “Project to Pierce the Moon With the Spear of Longinus Committee” unveiled its plans as part of the 20th anniversary of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime. Hakuto is the only team from Japan competing for the Google Lunar XPRIZE.
The project aims to recreate (with real-world contraints) the scene in the anime where the Evangelion Unit-00 hurls the Spear of Longinus, which eventually lands on the lunar surface. The crowd-funding site Readyfor is hosting a campaign to raise 100 million yen (about US$1 million) in funds necessary to accomplish this goal. The campaign runs until April 5.
If the campaign meets its goal, a 240-millimeter (9.4-inch) spear will launch aboard a spacecraft from America between the end of 2015 and the end of 2016. Supporters will receive exclusiveillustrations, t-shirts, replicas of the spear, spears forged by swordsmiths, and other rewards.
Sources: Comic Natalie, Oricon Style
Update: The Mainichi Shimbun paper’s MaiDiGi service is streaming a video from the pressconference.
More from Anime News Network
No one will be flying Evangelion spear to the moon as crowdfunding project dies on the vine
Gigantic Evangelion Spear of Longinus appears stabbed in the ground at the Tokyo Skytree【Photos】
Testing out the Evangelion Test Type Drink Holder and huge Spear of Longinus plushie【Photos】
Planetarium holds Evangelion matchmaking event
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Chance to play Tetris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says