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Sharp Officially Unveils Evangelion Phone

Anime News Network's merchandise coverage sponsored by Tokyo Otaku Mode.

For those eagerly awaiting the Evangelion Android smartphone can finally get a glimpse of its design. Sharp is releasing the phone that features an ombre purple to green case with Unit 01 on the back and orange volume and power buttons.

The company is bringing out all the bells and whistles for this release. A new phone wallpaper featuring art from the franchise will be released every day for a year. Character voices, including Asuka and Rei, were also added. Many of the features that debut in the ad were ones selected by fans in the phone design questionnaire.

A total of 30,000 Evangelion smarphones are planned for production. 7-Eleven stores in Japan will take applications starting on November 2 or prospective buyers can sign up online. Of the 30,000 models, 5,000 will be shipped in December followed by the rest in April.

Originally the phone was projected to cost 78,000 yen (US$651) but the price has risen to 84,240 yen (US$703).

The 7-Eleven convenience store chain is in the midst of a huge Evangelion-themed campaign. Outside of offering the phones, the stores are also taking applications for live-size Rei Ayanami, Asuka Shikinami Langley, and Kaworu Nagisa statues starting on October 31. A total of 15 statues (presumably five of each character) will be given away via raffle. The winners get to fork over 1,728,000 yen (US$14,414).

Each one varies slightly in height. Rei measures 158cm (5'2"), Asuka measures 157cm (5'1"), and Kaworu measures 166cm (5'5"). All three statues were shown off at a press conference for the Evangelion Phone. Singer and BREAKERZ band member DAIGO attended the conference in a Unit-01 themed outfit with actress Natsuki Katō (Hana Yori Dango Final, Paradise Kiss) cosplaying as Misato.

7-Eleven held a similar campaign for six-foot-tall Evangelion Unit figures and a Evangelion-themed sports car last year. The figures promptly sold out in two minutes. Full-size Show By Rock!! and Attack on Titan statues have also been offered.

[Via Japan Times' Japan Pulse blog, Minna no Eva Fan]