DeAgostini Japan Co., Ltd. has introduced a new Evangelion Unit-01 Weekly Magazine, spanning a total of 100 issues. Each issue comes with parts that, when assembled, form a movable model of the Evangelion Unit-01. This model is at a 1/144 scale with a total height of 55.5 cm (22 inches).
This is not just another model kit, btw. Not only does it feature light-up eyes and a chest (i.e the core, which is hidden by a chest cover) but also an electrically-operated opening/closing Entry Plug hatch and has a built-in speaker that you can play back BGM, which presumably is the Evangelion theme song.
The eyes offer two colors: white and red. The latter lets you replica Unit 01 when it went berserk. A remote lets you control the light-up feature, Entry Plug hatch opening/closing as well as playback the BGM.
The model includes several accessories, including interchangeable hands and a launch pad, along with other essential equipment like the Spear of Longinus, Progressive Knife, and Pallet Rifle.
If you subscribe from the 1st to the 28th issue, you will receive the last spear that appears in the movie, the Spear of Gaius in diecast material.
The introductory issue is priced specially at 290 yen (about US$2.10), the second issue at 990 yen (approx. US$7), and from the third issue onwards, the regular price is 1,999 yen (about US$14) per issue.
Sounds affordable enough but it has a cool 100 issues which means the total cost adds up to a whopping 197,182 yen. This works out to be around US$1,391 based on today’s going rate which is a lot for any model kit, 55.5 cm or not. The first issue will be released on January 4, 2024.
Images: DeAgostini Japan Co., Ltd [JP].
