Neon Genesis Evangelionhas been a phenomenon in Japan for the better part of three decades.From the moment the series first premiered, it took Japan by storm, and led to multiple films, games, and some of the most unexpected ongoing collaborations in anime. Creator Hideaki Anno has always shown slight contempt for the series' fan base, and expressed as much both in interviews and even his own work. 1997’sThe End of Evangelionfamously held some scathing critiques of otaku and anime culture.
Now, he likely feels something similar once more, as a recent trend of trespassing on the Tenryu Futamata Station in Hamamatsu, Japanis seemingly directly inspired by the franchise.The Tenryu Hamanako Railroad recently took to Xto make a statement urging people to stop trespassing on the property.
Evangelion Inspires a Recent Crime Trend
The Real-World Inspiration Behind a Series' Setting Is Being Flooded With Trespassers
The Tenryu Futamata Station was famously the inspiration behind Village-3,a location featured heavily in the 2021 film,Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. The railroad company said, “There are so many trespassers in the depot that it’s a real problem. Recently, they’ve been there every day,” before continuing, “there are set times you can tour the depot. Please refrain from visiting outside of tour hours.”
FollowingEvangelion 3.0+1.0’s release, a limitedEvangelion-themed train was housed and available for passengers to ride, bearing a resemblance to the iconic Eva Unit 01.Still featured at the station is a replica of the series' Spear of Longinus, which is planted in the ground alongside the tracks. Instead of visiting the station through the proper means, it seems fans have taken to trespassing in order to get a closer look at one of the real-life inspirations behind the franchise’s most recent film.
Evangelionremains one of the most popular franchises in anime, and, unfortunately,seems to have inspired a trend of bad behavior within its fan base. It isn’t the first time the series has been caught up in some real-world controversy, and it likely won’t be the last.
Evangelion Has Never Been a Stranger to Controversy
The Series Has Always Kept Controversy Close
From the moment 1995’sNeon Genesis Evangelioncame to the first of its multiple conclusions,the iconic franchise has been no stranger to controversy. It’s ironic, given the series' focus on escapism and its critiques of anime fans who would rather dive into fictional worlds than contend with a real one, butthe original series' ending caused such backlashthat the Studio Gainax office was defaced and Hideaki Anno was sent death threats. Later, in 2003, a man named Hiroyuki Tsuchida was arrested after claiming the series drove him to murder.
Other minor incidents related to the series have taken place over the decades since its release, includingthe arrests of two menselling AI-generated images of its characters earlier this year. Now, it seems the Tenryu Hamanako Railroad is the latest unfortunate victim in aNeon Genesis Evangelion-inspired controversy.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Cast
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese animated television series created by Hideaki Anno. The show follows teenagers piloting giant mechs called Evangelions, tasked with defending Earth from mysterious beings known as Angels. As they confront these threats, they also grapple with personal and psychological issues.
