Evangelion Kabuki Makes Stunning Debut at Eva Fes 30th Anniversary as Kaworu Strikes a Pose Midair

The Evangelion Kabuki performance captivated audiences at the EVANGELION:30+ 30th ANNIVERSARY OF EVANGELION festival, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Evangelion series. Held on February 23 at Yokohama Arena, the final day of the event featured the premiere of Kabuki Symphony Final Movement Evangelion, marking the first collaboration between Evangelion and traditional kabuki theater.

In this unprecedented stage production, kabuki prince Sakon Onoe took on the role of Kaworu Nagisa, while rising kabuki star Kichitaro Kamimura portrayed Shinji Ikari. The creative team brought together distinguished talents from across artistic disciplines. Script and direction were handled by Kazuhisa Tobe, known for innovative kabuki works that fuse classical and contemporary elements. Choreography was led by Kanjuro Fujima, who has created an extensive range of kabuki works from classical to new productions. Music was composed by gagaku musician Fumihiko Yamada, who also performs at the Imperial Court. Together, this extraordinary team delivered a stage unlike any before.

Inspired by Symphony No. 9, the production reimagined Evangelion as a kabuki dance drama structured as a final movement. Centered on Kaworu Nagisa, the story opened quietly with the ceremonial sounds of gagaku, evoking the dawn of the universe.

As the delicate tones of the koto and bells resonated through the darkness, joined by the thunderous roar of a great drum, two deities descended upon the stage: the Black Bird God and the White Bird God. Their entwined dance of light and shadow, black and white, at times drawn together and at times torn apart, expressed the fundamental duality at the heart of Evangelion with breathtaking beauty.

When images of Earth and the Moon appeared on the screen, Kaworu Nagisa descended silently from between them. Standing still amid thunderous applause, he began to dance with a quiet sorrow in his movements. Every gesture was so exquisitely controlled that the entire arena seemed to hold its breath.

Soon after, Shinji Ikari entered wearing an eboshi cap, with a crimson sea behind him. Having finally reached their destined encounter, the two performed a duet, harmonizing to the sounds of flute and hand drum. Set to the sweeping melodies of a traditional Japanese orchestra, their shared emotions were rendered with deep sensitivity. For fans, it was an exquisite staging that enveloped the entire venue in rapture.

As the opulent group dance intensified, the two returned in even more striking costumes. Kaworu grasped a naginata, while Shinji wielded a sword. Their fierce and dazzling combat sent sparks flying, driving the audience’s excitement to its peak.

The story then reached its climax. Kaworu soared high into the air and struck a brilliant mie pose midair, sending the audience into a frenzy. As he continued to glide gracefully above the seats, his overwhelming, almost divine presence left the arena in awe. Applause and cheers resounded without end, uniting the entire venue in exhilaration.

While grounded in the formal beauty of classical performing arts, Kabuki Symphony Final Movement Evangelion fused tradition with overwhelming visual spectacle to release the very soul of Evangelion. Even after the curtain fell, the applause did not cease, and this groundbreaking kabuki dance drama was etched deeply into the hearts of fans.

Source : ORICON NEWS