Studio Khara Accidentally Leaks Evangelion 30th Anniversary Asuka Short, Now Officially Streaming

Studio Khara officially released its exclusive 30th-anniversary Asuka short anime on YouTube this week, turning an internal error into a win for Neon Genesis Evangelion fans. The studio accidentally distributed the full, high-definition version of the short while attempting to issue copyright takedown notices against bootleg copies circulating online.

The short originally premiered last month during the Evangelion 30th-anniversary event in Yokohama. Attendees saw new animation focusing on Asuka Langley Soryu, including glimpses of her daily routine and subtle hints regarding her future connection with Shinji Ikari. Predictably, camrips of the footage, some with fan-made English subtitles, quickly surfaced across social media platforms.

Khara moved to address the unauthorized distribution by sending out takedown requests. However, a significant administrative error led to those takedown emails containing the complete HD file of the short attached. Following the incident, the studio issued a formal apology and confirmed they would make the short available for free.

The official YouTube premiere was set for 12:00 a.m. JST on March 8, 2026. This date marks exactly five years since Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time concluded its theatrical run.

In a statement, Khara noted their