I think we can finally say the whole Eva gang is back together. The next episode preview for kids' sci-fi mecha show Shinkalion's August 11 episode is now streaming, with voice over by Misato voice actress Kotono Mitsuishi. Mitsuishi delivers her character's signature episode preview line, promising 'service, service' while the footage teases appearances by Rei and Asuka.

Rei and Asuka's voice actresses Megumi Hayashibara and Yuko Miyamura haven't confirmed that they are reprising their roles, so while the characters may appear in the episode, it's unknown if they have any lines. The episode already includes cameos by Hikari Horaki and her sisters Kodama and Nozomi (all voiced by Hikari's original voice actress Junko Iwao) and Neon Genesis Evangelion protagonist Shinji Ikari, also brought to life by his original voice actress Megumi Ogata.

The August 11 episode will include musical cues from Hideaki Anno and Gainax's ultra-popular mecha series. The anime's official website is currently in the midst of an Eva take-over. The site's color scheme matches Unit 01 and protagonist Hayato Hayasugi is replaced in the key visual with Shinji Ikari and Evan Shinkansen.

Originally the anime was planning to only air a referential episode to send off the Evangelion bullet train. The train ended service in May, and seeing as the 500 TYPE EVA train already collaborated with Takara Tomy's Shinkanlion toy line in October, it would make for a fitting tribute. The first collaboration episode aired on May 5.

Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno welcomed the collaboration when it was first announced and said he especially wanted to watch the transformation. Anno is a train fan himself, and he and original mecha designer Ikuto Yamashita worked directly on the 500 TYPE EVA train project.

The Shinkalion anime series premiered in Japan on January 6. The anime may just be fulfilling its self-titled destiny. The title "Shinkalion" written in katakana is "シンカリオン" while Evangelion is "エヴァンゲリオン". Despite different pronunciations in English, both share "lion" in the title. Shinkalion could simply be a portmanteau "shinkansen" and "Evangelion."

[Via Nijimen]