This is an original Japanese B2 prize poster from 1996–1997, officially licensed for SEGA’s arcade prize poster series, commonly known as Poster Heroes / Poster Dream.
Featuring Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion, this is an especially striking and uncommon example from the original late-1990s Evangelion boom. Unlike standard paper-stock posters, this piece is produced on a heavy metallic foil material, and its most distinctive feature is its double-sided construction: the front carries the printed image, while the reverse is left as a raw reflective foil surface, creating a remarkable mirror-like effect.
This is not a standard retail poster, but an arcade prize issue, produced for amusement-market distribution. As such, it represents a more unusual and collectible category of original Evangelion paper.
The image
The poster presents a full-length portrait of Rei Ayanami in her white 00 Plugsuit, standing with characteristic stillness and restraint. She holds the Spear of Longinus, rendered in a vivid red that cuts sharply across the otherwise restrained silver, grey, black, and white palette.
The composition is elegant and minimal, allowing Rei’s expression, the clean linework, and the powerful symbolic presence of the spear to dominate. Her red eyes provide a second focal point, reinforcing the contrast between the subdued metallic field and the small areas of intense colour.
The artwork is by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the celebrated character designer of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the image has the refined, unmistakable balance associated with his work.
The metallic foil construction
What makes this poster particularly desirable is its special metallic foil stock. On the front, the foil base produces a shimmering, industrial, almost liquid-metal effect across the whole image. It gives the poster a cold, futuristic surface quality that suits Evangelion exceptionally well.
The reverse side is fully unprinted and functions almost like a distorted silver mirror, reflecting light and surrounding forms through the natural rippling of the foil. This is a highly unusual production feature and gives the piece strong object-quality in addition to its value as a poster.
Design details
Across the top, the title NEON GENESIS EVANGELION is printed in large black serif lettering. The lower-left credit area attributes the illustration to Yoshiyuki Sadamoto:
原画 貞本 義行
Original Illustration: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
The lower-right corner carries the familiar SEGA logo together with the official Evangelion copyright line.
Collector significance
This is an especially appealing Evangelion collectible for several reasons:
Officially licensed SEGA prize poster
Original 1996–1997 period issue
Rare double-sided metallic foil construction
Rei Ayanami subject
Features the Spear of Longinus
Artwork by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
B2 display format
Not a standard retail poster
It has strong crossover appeal for collectors of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Rei Ayanami, SEGA arcade material, 1990s anime ephemera, and special-material Japanese prize posters.
Condition
Excellent condition. Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.
The front presents extremely well, with clean artwork, strong metallic sheen, and excellent display presence. The reflective reverse is also a major feature of the piece. As with many original special-material posters of this kind, there may be minor handling or storage signs consistent with age and material, but overall this is a highly attractive surviving example.
This is an original Japanese SEGA prize poster from 1996–1997.
It is not a reproduction or reprint.
It is over 25 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
