The King of the Monsters is lurking under the skin of modern anime’s most iconic mecha.
While landmark anime Evangelion is often described as a mecha or giant robot series, it’s technically a little different from those genres. See, while the titular Evangelion Units have metallic coverings, on the inside, they’re actually gigantic bio-weapons, and their technological coverings serve both as protective armor and binding restraints.
So, in a way, the true nature of the Evangelions is more Godzilla than Gundam. As a matter of fact, a new figure in the growing Godzilla vs. Evangelion merchandising franchise shows just how well the two icons can blend together.
Now on sale through the Premium Bandai online shop, the figure is officially named Evangelion Test Unit “G” Awakening Form. It even has a backstory, which claims that after suffering heavy damage in battle, the G cells within Eva Unit-01 began to react, eventually causing it to mutate into the half-Evangelion, half-Godzilla hybrid seen here.
While it’s part of the Toho 30-Centimeter Series of figures, this mutated Eva goes above and beyond that parameter, standing an impressive 38 centimeters (15 inches) high and measuring 36 centimeters in length.
▼ Not pictured or included: Evangelion series protagonist/Unit-01 pilot Shinji, who was presumably stepped on or eaten by the rampaging creature.
Domestic orders for the 32,400-yen (US$309) figure can be placed here through the Premium Bandai website, with shipping scheduled for next January.
Source, images: Premium Bandai
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s now wondering if this means an Evangelion Production Unit “M” Awakening Form which transforms into Mothra won’t be far behind.