“Neon Genesis Evangelion / Shinji Ikari”, Original Japanese Promotional Poster 1996, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) Q69

This is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster issued in 1996 for Neon Genesis Evangelion, featuring Shinji Ikari in his Eva-01 plugsuit. Produced during the series’ original first wave of popularity, the poster is associated with SEGA and GAINAX / Project Eva, and belongs to the formative period when Evangelion was first establishing itself as one of the most important anime franchises of the late twentieth century.

Series background

First broadcast in 1995, Neon Genesis Evangelion rapidly became one of the defining anime series of its generation. Combining mecha action, psychological tension, religious and philosophical imagery, and an unusually introspective protagonist, it changed the direction of televised anime and remains one of the most influential Japanese animated works ever produced. Shinji Ikari, the reluctant central pilot of Eva Unit-01, stands at the emotional core of the series and is one of its most iconic characters.

Poster design

This is a strikingly minimal and highly collectible character poster. Shinji is depicted alone, shown from roughly the waist up against a pale lavender ground, adjusting his glove in a poised pre-deployment gesture. The large NEON GENESIS EVANGELION masthead dominates the upper section, with “Shinji Ikari” printed at top right, while the SEGA logo appears at lower right.

Unlike busier Evangelion posters filled with mecha, explosions, or ensemble casts, this design is unusually restrained. That simplicity is exactly what gives it its strength. The focus falls entirely on Shinji’s expression, posture, and suit design, making the poster feel both graphic and psychologically charged. It is an especially attractive display piece for collectors who appreciate early Evangelion material with a cleaner, more design-led aesthetic.

A further point of interest is the printed credit to Takeshi Honda, whose illustration gives the poster a crisp and confident character rendering tied closely to the classic visual identity of the series.

Rarity and significance

Because this poster was issued in 1996, during Evangelion’s original release era, it belongs to the franchise’s most desirable collecting period. Early Japanese promotional posters connected to game tie-ins, home video campaigns, or related merchandising were generally produced in smaller numbers than mass-market later material, and surviving examples are increasingly sought after today.

For collectors of 1990s anime, original Evangelion paper from this first phase of the phenomenon holds particular importance. This example captures Shinji at the moment the series was reshaping the anime landscape.

Condition

Very Good / Excellent overall. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale. 

It is over 30 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.