“The End of Evangelion” / 「新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air／まごころを、君に」, Original Japanese UCC Coffee Promotional Poster 1997 — Rei Ayanami Design — B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) O331

This is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster produced for the 1997 UCC Coffee × The End of Evangelion collaboration, featuring Rei Ayanami holding a can of UCC Original Coffee.

Issued in connection with the film’s original Japanese theatrical release, this design advertises the limited-edition Evangelion coffee cans and associated promotional prize campaign. Its combination of character illustration, monumental typography and detailed competition information makes it a distinctive example of 1990s Japanese anime advertising.

Film background

Released in Japan on 19 July 1997, The End of Evangelion brought the story of Neon Genesis Evangelion to a dramatic theatrical conclusion.

The film follows Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Soryu, Rei Ayanami and the personnel of NERV as an attack on the organisation becomes entangled with the Human Instrumentality Project. Its treatment of identity, isolation and human connection extends the psychological concerns of the television series into an apocalyptic setting.

With Hideaki Anno as chief director and screenwriter, the film became a defining work of Japanese animation. Rei’s central role in its narrative makes her an especially resonant choice for this promotional design.

The UCC collaboration

UCC’s association with Evangelion began in 1997, when the company introduced its first UCC Original Evangelion cans to coincide with the theatrical film.

This poster documents that original collaboration through the prominent heading:

“UCC・EVANGELION・Project”

The campaign combines the familiar UCC coffee can with Evangelion characters and language, turning an everyday beverage into a collectible associated with the film.

The lower section advertises prizes for a total of 17,000 winners, divided between two courses: 2,000 Evangelion body pillows and 15,000 Evangelion telephone cards. Illustrations show the cylindrical cushion and a telephone card reproducing the Rei poster design.

The printed application deadline is 25 August 1997, placing the promotion firmly within the film’s original summer release campaign.

Poster design

The composition centres on Rei Ayanami in her school uniform, holding a can of UCC coffee between both hands.

Her blue hair and red eyes stand out against the pale background. The navy uniform, white blouse and red ribbon introduce a restrained palette, while her quiet expression gives the image a contemplative quality.

Enormous black Japanese characters dominate the right-hand side:

「人類補缶計画 始動」

This is a deliberate play on 「人類補完計画」, the Human Instrumentality Project. The character 「完」 is replaced by 「缶」, meaning “can,” adapting one of the series’ central concepts into the coffee campaign’s headline.

The smaller vertical slogan at left reads:

「潤うノドが、私を癒す。」

“Quenching my thirst soothes me.”

Faint cream-coloured text fills the background, including fragments of terminology associated with the film. These layered words recall Evangelion’s distinctive use of typography while allowing Rei and the bold black headline to remain the focus.

Across the lower portion, the English title appears in large gold-coloured lettering:

“THE END OF EVANGELION”

Immediately beneath it, red Japanese text announces the limited-edition cans commemorating the film’s screening.

The red UCC logo occupies the upper-left corner, balanced by the ©1997 GAINAX / EVA production committee credit at upper right. Along the bottom, the competition instructions, prize illustrations and pictured coffee can establish the poster’s specific purpose as a retail promotional advertisement.

Rarity and significance

This poster preserves the beginning of the longstanding relationship between UCC and Evangelion.

Its appeal extends beyond the film itself: the original coffee cans, promotional prizes and campaign artwork form a distinctive part of Evangelion’s merchandising history. The prominent Rei illustration makes this a particularly attractive example for collectors of Rei Ayanami, Evangelion, UCC collaborations and Japanese anime advertising.

Condition

Near mint condition.

The poster retains strong colour, crisp character artwork and clear typography, with an exceptionally clean overall appearance. Very slight paper undulation is visible on the reverse.

Once framed, this poster will display superbly.

Reference: O331.

Please review all photographs, including the reverse, as they show the exact poster for sale.

This is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster from the 1997 UCC Evangelion campaign, measuring approximately 51 × 73 cm.

It is now over 29 years old.

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.