Japan's Shinkansen launches an 'Evangelion' train set to debut this fall

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

Anime fans, take note！ To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Sanyo Shinkansen and the 20th anniversary of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion,' JR West has announced the 'Shinkansen: Evangelion Project,' which will feature a mainline train painted to resemble Unit-01. The themed train '500 TYPE EVA' is expected to begin operating on the Sanyo Shinkansen this fall.


▲ The Evangelion-themed train will be in service this fall. (Photo / from JR West website)

The 'EVANGELION PROJECT' was co-designed by 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' director Hideaki Anno and mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita. In addition to the exterior design modeled after Unit-01, the interior of the train will also feature content from the anime, and special merchandise will be sold during its operation.

The train is currently scheduled to operate from autumn 2015 to March 2017. The '500 TYPE EVA' will use train number 'Kodama 730,' departing Hakata at 6:30 AM and arriving in Shin-Osaka at 11:14 AM, as well as train number 'Kodama 741,' departing Shin-Osaka at 11:32 AM and arriving in Hakata at 4:07 PM.