Evangelion accidentally leaked its new 30th anniversary anime after Studio Khara tried to remove unauthorized recordings and exposed copyright-ownership data through X’s takedown system. Khara called the disclosure human error, then released the approximately 13-minute short free on its official YouTube channel at 12:00 a.m. JST on March 8, 2026.
The short was originally made for the EVANGELION:30+ festival and intended as a venue-exclusive presentation. Once an uploader redistributed data exposed during the takedown process, Khara chose an official release rather than leave audiences dependent on pirated recordings.
Key takeaways
- Khara said a takedown-reporting mistake on X exposed official copyright-ownership data to an account that had uploaded an unauthorized recording.
- The leaked work was “EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening,” an approximately 13-minute short made for the EVANGELION:30+ festival—not a new full-length Evangelion series.
- Khara released the short free on its official YouTube channel at 12:00 a.m. JST on March 8, 2026.
- The short’s reported premise brings together Asuka Langley Soryu from the original continuity and Asuka Shikinami Langley from the Rebuild films.
- A separate completely new Evangelion series entered production in February 2026, but its release date, story and distribution plan remain undisclosed.
What happened when Evangelion accidentally leaked its new 30th anniversary anime?
Evangelion accidentally leaked its new 30th anniversary anime after Studio Khara tried to remove unauthorized recordings and exposed copyright-ownership data through X’s takedown system. Khara called the disclosure human error, then released the approximately 13-minute short free on its official YouTube channel at 12:00 a.m. JST on March 8, 2026.
The unusual sequence is confirmed by Khara’s own incident statement: the studio was not describing a planned publicity stunt or a deliberate leak. Khara said it had insufficient understanding of X’s reporting workflow, and that information submitted to establish copyright ownership became visible to the account that had uploaded an infringing recording.
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According to Khara’s March 7 incident statement, the uploader downloaded the exposed official data and redistributed it through X and other social platforms. Khara removed the exposed data and apologized.
What was leaked?
The leaked work was “EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening,” a short animation created for the franchise’s 30th-anniversary event. It was not a rumored new full-length television series, and the leak did not establish that Evangelion’s existing continuity had been rewritten.
The official pre-event announcement described the animation as approximately 13 minutes long. The short was originally prepared for a venue-exclusive presentation on the festival’s large LED screen, with one screening scheduled per day during the event.
| Confirmed detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Official title | “EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening” |
| Length | Approximately 13 minutes |
| Original purpose | A festival presentation rather than a regular theatrical or streaming release |
| Event | EVANGELION:30+; 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION, held February 21–23, 2026 |
| Planning and script | Hideaki Anno |
| Direction | Naoyuki Asano |
| Supervision | Kazuya Tsurumaki, Shinji Higuchi and Kazuki Todoroki |
The official December 18, 2025 announcement provides the short’s original event context and staff credits. Some later descriptions call the finished online video roughly 13–15 minutes, but the official figure used here is “approximately 13 minutes.”
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Why did Khara release the short for free?
Khara released the short for free because an originally venue-exclusive animation had already begun circulating after the studio’s takedown process accidentally exposed official data. Publishing an authorized copy gave viewers a legitimate way to watch the work instead of relying on unauthorized recordings.
The Evangelion official website announced the decision on March 7, 2026, one day before the online release. The short became available through Studio Khara’s official YouTube channel at midnight Japan Standard Time on March 8, 2026.
The release date also had anniversary significance: March 8 marked exactly five years since the Japanese theatrical release of EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME. Khara asked viewers to use the official upload and not circulate leaked or illegally recorded versions. The official release announcement explains both the timing and the studio’s viewing request.
What is the short about?
The short centers on two versions of Asuka, according to Crunchyroll’s report: Asuka Langley Soryu from the original Neon Genesis Evangelion continuity and Asuka Shikinami Langley from the Rebuild films. The reported setup has the two characters interact while helping Soryu pursue a “happy ending” after The End of Evangelion.
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Crunchyroll’s March 8 report identifies the Asuka-focused conceit. A subtitle and fan-upload record has circulated the designation “Episode 27: The Only Neat Thing to Do,” but the official announcements reviewed for this story do not establish that wording as an official English title or confirm a canon status for the short.
How does the leak timeline compare with the official release?
The short moved from a planned event-only presentation to an official global-facing online release within days of its festival screenings and the takedown error.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2025 | The Evangelion official website announced the approximately 13-minute anniversary short and its staff. |
| February 21–23, 2026 | The EVANGELION:30+ 30th-anniversary festival took place, with the short prepared for venue presentation. |
| February 21 onward | Khara began submitting takedown requests for unauthorized recordings posted on social platforms. |
| March 7, 2026 | Khara said its copyright-ownership information was exposed through X’s reporting workflow; the official site then announced the free release. |
| March 8, 2026 | The short became available on Khara’s official YouTube channel at 12:00 a.m. JST. |
Is this the new Evangelion series?
No. The leaked and subsequently released work is a short anniversary animation, while the new Evangelion series is a separate project that entered production in February 2026.
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The distinction matters because the anniversary short’s surprise appearance and Asuka crossover premise can easily be mistaken for a franchise relaunch. The February 23, 2026 series announcement confirms production, but it does not say when or where the series will be released.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the short fit into Evangelion’s 30th anniversary?
The short was one component of a broader Evangelion 30th-anniversary campaign, not the entire anniversary program. The official campaign included event programming, physical media, merchandise and other commemorative products.
The anniversary campaign site lists the EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Movie Collection Blu-ray box, released in three forms on December 10, 2025, along with anniversary merchandise and a limited portable record player announced for February 21, 2026. Those products are separate from the free YouTube short; the free release does not mean that every anniversary event item is publicly available at no cost.
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Collectors who want to continue with the physical-media side of the campaign can examine the Evangelion 30th Anniversary Movie Collection. The collection is relevant anniversary context, but readers should not assume that the newly released short is included unless a specific edition’s contents say so.
Where should viewers watch it?
Viewers should use Studio Khara’s official YouTube upload rather than leaked recordings or reuploads. The official release was scheduled for 12:00 a.m. JST on March 8, 2026, and the Evangelion official website directed audiences to Khara’s channel.
Availability, subtitles and regional playback can change on a platform, so the official Evangelion announcement is the appropriate reference for the release destination and date. Do not treat a fan-uploaded copy, subtitle page or social-media clip as evidence of a separate official version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the leaked Evangelion anime the new Evangelion series?
No. “EVANGELION 30th Anniversary Special Screening” is an approximately 13-minute anniversary short made for the EVANGELION:30+ festival. The completely new Evangelion series announced in February 2026 is a separate project with no announced release date.
How did the Evangelion anniversary short leak?
Khara said its copyright-ownership information was accidentally exposed through X’s takedown-reporting workflow while the studio was trying to remove unauthorized recordings. Khara characterized the incident as human error, not an intentional publicity leak.
Where can I watch the Evangelion 30th anniversary short?
The short was released on Studio Khara’s official YouTube channel at 12:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time on March 8, 2026. The official Evangelion website announced the release on March 7.
The Bottom Line
Khara did not intentionally leak the Evangelion anniversary short. The studio said an X takedown-reporting error exposed official data while it was trying to suppress unauthorized recordings, and Khara responded by releasing the approximately 13-minute venue short for free on its official YouTube channel on March 8, 2026. The short is separate from the newly announced Evangelion series, whose release details remain unknown.
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