The iconic machines of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series are getting an insect transformation courtesy of Beastbox.
Manufactured by Chinese toy developer 52TOYS, Beastbox (sometimes spelled BEASTBOX) is a product line somewhat similar to Hasbro/Takara Tomy’s Transformers series. Featuring a variety of robotic animals and even mythical creatures, these toys transform from robotic beast modes into cubes that slide into their standard boxes. Now, Evangelion is getting the 52TOYS treatment, with the EVA units all taking the form of robotic beetles.
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The newest Beastbox figures are licensed Evangelion bugs
Released in a collection containing all three toys, the Beastbox Evangelion Kabuto-Eva Set reimagines mecha EVA-00, EVA-01 and EVA-02 as transforming robot beetles, respectively based on deer beetles, Hercules beetles and rhinoceros beetles. They also repainted the existing Beastbox figures, with the EVA-00 toy being a recolored version of the original Beastbox figure, Nightcrawler. Along with wings and antennae, the bug robots can transform into cubes and be placed into themed containment boxes.
Each Kabuto-Eva comes with a card that showcases the EVA unit they are based on, and the cards also have stands to display them. Available to order on the AmiAmi online store, this trio will retail for approximately $76 USD and be available in February 2024. This set is just one of numerous Beastbox collections being released. licensed from 52TOYS; Previous examples include Iron Man-themed toys and other franchises like Alien, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Chinese blockbuster The Wandering Earth, and Super Robot anime franchises like Mazinger getting in on the action . All through Beastbox’s MEGABOX spin-off line that expands beyond typical animal themes.
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Evangelion fans are spoiled for choice in merchandise
In addition to the upcoming Kabuto-Eva Beastbox Set, several other Evangelion toys, figures, and collectibles are also planned for release. These include a toy replica of Progressive Knife, which even plays back iconic music from the Evangelion anime series. There is also an image of the “racing queen” version of Rei Ayanami released by Sega, with other clothing and ancillary branding also being made available to Evangelion fans.
Evangelion remains an extremely popular franchise despite its age. The classic Neon Genesis Evangelion television series was released in the 1990s, with the first version of the story being the prevailing incarnation for many years. The Rebuild of Evangelion reboot/remake films, which began in 2007, finally ended in 2021 with the release of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time. Despite this, the franchise continued to receive many toys and other forms of merchandise, with the series still considered an icon of the mecha genre and a landmark anime series in general.
Evangelical Neon Genesis
A teenage boy finds himself recruited by his father to be a member of an elite team of pilots.
Release date October 4, 1995
Creator Hideaki Anno, Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki
Cast Megumi Ogata, Kotono Mitsuishi, Megumi Hayashibara
Seasons 1 season
Studio Gainax, Tatsunoko
Producer Yutaka Sugiyama, Joseph Chou
Production company Gainax, Nihon Advertising System (NAS), TV Tokyo, Tatsunoko Production
Episodes 26 episodes
Source: AmiAmi, Siliconera