TL;DR, Studio Khara posted an original Rei Ayanami illustration by board director Kazuya Tsurumaki to mark its 20th anniversary, and founder Hideaki Anno shared a message about the studio’s growth. The studio, founded May 17, 2006, says it is working on a new Evangelion project and an untitled Space Battleship Yamato film.
Studio Khara marked its 20th anniversary with Studio Khara 20th anniversary Rei Ayanami art by Kazuya Tsurumaki and a message from founder Hideaki Anno. Founded on May 17, 2006, the Evangelion studio paired the illustration with Anno’s note, and said it is developing a new Evangelion project and an untitled Space Battleship Yamato film.
What Studio Khara posted for its 20th anniversary
To celebrate its 20th year, Studio Khara posted a fresh Rei Ayanami piece on Sunday. Drawn by board director and filmmaker Kazuya Tsurumaki, the image shows Rei raising a glass. The caption reads “20th Anniversary,” a nod to Japan’s legal drinking age of 20.
The Kazuya Tsurumaki illustration favors quiet confidence over spectacle. Clean lines and soft color echo the Rebuild of Evangelion look. It reads like an in-house postcard, simple and self-contained, which suits the Studio Khara 20th anniversary without burying it in lore.
Khara shared the image alongside Anno’s longer note, but the art leads the post. It is official studio work, not a fan tribute, so it lands as a keepsake for Evangelion followers. For contrast, see this playful anniversary illustration from another campaign.
- Artist credit: Kazuya Tsurumaki, Studio Khara board director and veteran Evangelion director.
- Subject: Rei Ayanami in a composed pose, a quiet celebratory mood.
- Details: “20th Anniversary” caption, drink as a toast, matching Japan’s age-20 rule.
- Format: One-off social post, a Studio Khara birthday illustration without added promo text.
What Hideaki Anno said about Studio Khara’s 20th
Founder and president Hideaki Anno shared a reflective note with the post. He recalled starting with just the president, one employee, and one advisor in a small Nishi-Shinjuku office. He contrasted that origin with a company that now owns its own studio and continues to make new works.
Anno anchored the milestone to the date, stating Studio Khara founded May 17 2006. In his message, he thanked fans and supporters, then set the next targets, saying the team will keep working toward the 25th and 30th anniversaries.
Industry milestones have been common lately, from the Mob Psycho anniversary to multiple franchise birthdays. For Studio Khara history watchers, Anno’s comments stress steady growth and ongoing output rather than a flashy event drop.
- Origins: tiny Nishi-Shinjuku office, three-person core (president, one employee, one advisor).
- Today: independent facilities, many completed projects, more in production.
- Thanks: appreciation for fans and partners, with eyes on the 25th and 30th.
- Track record: Evangelion 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0 among the completed films.
What Studio Khara says it is working on next
Khara also outlined what comes next. The studio says it is currently working on a new Evangelion project and an untitled Space Battleship Yamato film. No titles, formats, or release windows were disclosed by the studio.
Both items were named without extra production detail, so timing remains not yet confirmed. The note functions as a status check on upcoming Studio Khara projects, while the attention from the Studio Khara 20th anniversary Rei Ayanami art keeps those pipelines in view.
Rising interest around Evangelion art and Yamato history often spills into retrospectives and collecting, where an anime art auction can spotlight legacy works. For viewers, the headline is simple: Khara says new Evangelion is in development, and Yamato is on the board.
- Evangelion: new entry in development per the studio, details to be announced.
- Space Battleship Yamato: untitled film in development, title and date to be announced.
- No additional projects were listed in this update from Khara.
Source: ANN