The original Newtype 100% Collection dedicated to Neon Genesis Evangelion, published shortly after the television series concluded and before The End of Evangelion, preserving artwork, production materials and editorial features from the anime’s original broadcast era.
Release Date
26 February 1997 (first edition)
Format
Softcover art book
Region
Japan
Publisher
Kadokawa Shoten (Newtype Editorial Department)
Series
Newtype 100% Collection No. 29
ISBN
978-4-04-852700-2
Pages
178
Edition
First Japanese release with obi
Significance
One of the earliest comprehensive official Evangelion art books, documenting the television series before the franchise expanded with later films.
Summary
Released in early 1997, Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection compiles artwork, production materials and editorial content originally published in Newtype magazine during the television series’ original run. Produced by Kadokawa’s Newtype Editorial Department, it became volume 29 in the publisher’s long-running Newtype 100% Collection series.
The book contains approximately 178 pages of full-colour illustrations alongside black-and-white production artwork, concept drawings and design materials. Its contents include an illustration gallery, jacket artwork, episode guide, official artwork, voice actor section, reprinted Newtype articles and staff information. The striking cover illustration of Evangelion Unit-01 was created by mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita.
Published just weeks before Evangelion: Death and Rebirth reached Japanese cinemas, this volume captures the franchise at a unique point in its history. It focuses exclusively on the original television series and therefore predates The End of Evangelion, making it an excellent snapshot of how the series was presented during its initial popularity.
Release & Version Details
This first edition was published in February 1997 by Kadokawa Shoten with a retail price of ¥1,500 (before tax), matching the price printed on the rear cover.
Copies retaining the original obi are especially desirable from a preservation perspective. The obi promotes the theatrical release of Evangelion: Death and Rebirth (Shito Shinsei) and includes a detachable coupon offering a ¥300 discount on Japanese cinema admission. This promotional wrap firmly dates the book to the theatrical campaign surrounding the first Evangelion film.
Unlike later Evangelion reference books, this edition contains no material from The End of Evangelion or the Rebuild films, instead concentrating entirely on television-era artwork and editorial features.
Why It’s Significant
This volume represents one of the earliest official attempts to document the artistic development of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Rather than functioning solely as an illustration book, it preserves magazine features, interviews, promotional artwork and production materials that might otherwise have remained scattered across numerous issues of Newtype magazine.
Because it predates the franchise’s later reinterpretations, it also preserves how Evangelion was viewed immediately after the television series concluded, before many of the designs, terminology and promotional materials became standardised.
The inclusion of official production artwork and concept illustrations has made this book a long-standing reference for collectors, researchers and artists studying Gainax’s original television production.
Preservation Notes
- The original obi is frequently missing, significantly reducing historical completeness.
- The cinema discount coupon attached to the obi is often cut away or removed.
- White covers are particularly susceptible to yellowing, edge wear and shelf marks.
- Due to the large A4-format softcover binding, stress along the spine and corner creasing are common.
- First printings can be identified by the 1997 publication details and ISBN 978-4-04-852700-2.
Trivia & Interesting Facts
- The cover illustration was created by Evangelion mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita.
- The contents reproduce numerous illustrations and editorial features originally published in Newtype magazine during 1995–1996.
- The obi advertises Evangelion: Death and Rebirth and includes a genuine ¥300 Japanese cinema discount voucher.
- The contents page includes sections titled Illustrations, Jacket Gallery, Episode Guide, Neon Genesis Move!!, The Official Art, Voices, NT’s Articles and Staff & Cast.
- Despite being nearly three decades old, the book continues to be referenced by Evangelion enthusiasts when identifying official production artwork and concept illustrations.
About the Snows Mini Preservation Project
This item has been documented as part of the Snows Mini Preservation Project, an ongoing effort to preserve and catalogue physical media. Our aim is to record releases, variations and their historical significance for collectors and future enthusiasts. Most items featured in the project form part of our archive and may not be for sale.
Downloads
This document forms part of the Snows Mini Preservation Project. If you found it useful, consider sharing the archive or supporting the project by browsing our collection of preserved Japanese media.
Add comment
Comments