Evangelion Shocks Fans with New Series Announcement: What's Next After Thrice Upon a Time?

On February 23, 2026, "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (TV Version)" premiered on terrestrial television via the TBS network, drawing significant attention from many viewers. Fans rejoiced at the long-awaited television debut of "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time." However, its peculiar title, "Theatrical Version TV Version," also sparked widespread confusion on social media, with many asking, "Is it the theatrical version or the TV version?" and "I don't understand what that means."

However, this broadcast was more than just a terrestrial television premiere. During the program, a promotional video announcing the "start of production for a completely new Evangelion series" was suddenly unveiled, marking its first television broadcast. While this information had already been revealed at the "EVANGELION:30+;" event held recently, its television broadcast delivered the news to an even wider audience of fans.

Following this surprise announcement, excited comments flooded social media, including "A heart-pounding moment," "Fans are too thrilled," and "Can't stop being excited." Discussions regarding the new series' plot development were particularly lively, with questions like, "What does a completely new series mean after that ending!?" and "Is it a world reset? A sequel? An alternate timeline?" Some fans even offered specific theories, such as the "14-year gap theory" and the "GQ timeline."

From its original TV series to the old theatrical films and the Rebuild of Evangelion series, Evangelion has captivated a vast fanbase for over a quarter-century. The series' complex world-building and intricate storyline have always been subjects of intense discussion, and the announcement of this "completely new series" marks a new chapter in its history, generating significant anticipation for future updates.

The Context

"Neon Genesis Evangelion," often simply called "Evangelion," is a groundbreaking Japanese anime franchise known for its complex psychological themes, religious symbolism, and giant mecha battles. Created by Hideaki Anno, the original TV series premiered in 1995, captivating audiences with its unique narrative and often controversial ending.

The franchise later expanded with various films, including "The End of Evangelion," which offered an alternative conclusion to the TV series. More recently, the "Rebuild of Evangelion" film tetralogy (starting in 2007 and concluding with "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time" in 2021) reimagined the story with new characters, plots, and a definitive, often seen as conclusive, ending.

The confusion surrounding the title "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (TV Version)" stems from a common practice in Japan where theatrical films are often slightly re-edited or re-formatted for their terrestrial TV premieres. This might involve minor scene adjustments, censorship, or simply re-timing for commercial breaks, leading to a distinct "TV Version" title, even if the content is largely the same as the cinematic release.

The "completely new series" announcement is particularly significant because "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time" was widely promoted and perceived as the final installment of the "Rebuild" saga and a definitive conclusion to Anno's involvement with the main storyline. Therefore, the prospect of a "new series" sparks intense speculation among fans: Will it be a sequel, a spin-off, a complete reboot, or set in an alternate universe? Theories like the "14-year gap theory" (referring to a time skip within the Rebuild series) and the "GQ timeline" (a fan term for a hypothetical new continuity) highlight the fervent desire for more content and deeper explanations within the Evangelion universe.