Hanzo Reimagines Evangelion Through Japanese Folding Screens

Tokyo-based ukiyo-e studio Hanzo has unveiled a collection of five folding screens titled "EVANGELION Fūjin Raijin-zu Byōbu," which reinterprets Tawaraya Sōtatsu's 17th-century National Treasure painting, “Fūjin Raijin-zu Byōbu." This project marks the second chapter of Hanzo's "Eva Japonism" series, aiming to present the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise through traditional Japanese art forms. The new screens replace the original depiction of the wind god (Fūjin) and thunder god (Raijin) with five EVA units, while meticulously adhering to Sōtatsu's original composition, brushwork style, and atmospheric tension.

Artist Eshi Izumo led the reconstruction, ensuring that each EVA unit was rendered by sampling Sōtatsu's line quality and compositional principles. This approach makes the mechanical units appear as if they were conceived by the original master painter. The collection is divided into one screen dedicated to the thunder god and four screens for the wind god. Unit-01 embodies the thunder god, reflecting the dual nature of awe and salvation inherent in both the deity and the machine. Shinji Ikari is depicted within this composition with closed eyes, signifying a state of suspension between personal agency and surrender.

The four wind god screens feature pairings of different EVA units and their respective pilots. Unit-00 is paired with Rei Ayanami, Unit-02 with Asuka Langley Shikinami, Unit-08 with Mari Illustrious Makinami, and Mark.06 with Kaworu Nagisa. The pilots are rendered using expressive brushstrokes, diverging from their typical anime-accurate appearances to align with the traditional art style. Each screen is constructed using washi, wood, MDF, and cloth, designed to function as both individual display pieces and as part of a larger, modular multi-panel arrangement.