Neon Genesis Evangelion female lead Rei Ayanami appears in the Spring 2012 promotional poster for the National Federation of All Japan Guide Dog Training Institution's International Guide Dog Day, which is April 25. Hidenori Matsubara (Evangelion key animator and animation director, Ah! My Goddess/Sakura Wars character designer) drew Ayanami in her school uniform with Licht, a White Swiss Shepherd Dog who represents the 25,000 guide dogs in service throughout the world. ("Licht" is German for "light.")

This is the second time an Evangelion character has appeared in guide dog posters. Posters featuring pilot Mari Illustrious Makinami were created in the Fall 2010 campaign.

Madoka Magica's Kyoko and Homura were featured in two separate posters for Fall and Winter 2011.

This is the 11th year that posters were created for the non-profit organization since Culture Day on November 3, 2001. Previous posters have been distributed to 3,500 schools and have featured art from Akio Watanabe (Poyoyon Rock), Junichi Seki, Future Boy Conan, Onegai My Melody, Before Green Gables, and Anne of Green Gables.

Source: Evangelion News

Image © Khara