There's more than meets the Evangelion Prime Unit-01 with a new interview just out by way of @Hobby Watch. Here we get the inside scoops from the Synergenex developers on what and how they created this 30th Anniversary Collaborative figure. Read on to see the google translated interview followed by a transformation video and in-hand images of the Evangelion Prime Unit-01. 

First, please tell us about the development process for Evangelion Prime Unit-01.

Synergenex: At SYNERGENEX, we developed the ZOIDS and Evangelion collaboration products "ZOIDS General-Purpose Beast-Type Decisive Weapon Xenorex Test Unit-01" and "ZOIDS General-Purpose Beast-Type Decisive Weapon Xenorex Regular Practical Model Unit-02." Through this connection, we were able to connect with the copyright holder, and talk of collaborating with Transformers came up.

What is the design of this "Evangelion Prime Unit-01"?

Synergenex: The basic design is the same as the previously released "MP-10 CONVOY MODE EVA Cybertron Commander-in-Chief Convoy," in that it is "Optimus Prime scanned from Evangelion Unit-01."

However, while the previous product was based solely on the coloring of Evangelion Unit-01, this time in the "Synaginex" series, Optimus has an appearance closer to Evangelion Unit-01, and uses newly sculpted parts that incorporate the design of Unit-01.

Regarding the design, what Transformers toy was the basis for it?

Synergenex: The base for this one was the "Legendary Optimus Prime" released in 2018. From there, we created new shapes, including the head, and came up with the coloring for "Evangelion Unit-01."

Was there anything you kept in mind when re-designing the color scheme?

Synergenex: The vehicle mode coloring was a beautiful tricolor on the "MP-10 CONVOY MODE EVA Cybertron Commander-in-Chief Convoy," so we followed that up with the coloring this time. We also added the "NERV" markings on the side of the vehicle and the Autobot markings on the other side as homages.

Another thing we'd like you to pay attention to is the design of the roof. The red circular design on the chest armor of "Evangelion Unit-01" was very striking, so we wanted to include it in vehicle mode as well, incorporating that design on the roof as an accent.

The chimney muffler is also new. The base "Legendary Optimus Prime" has a design that only has a chimney muffler on one side.

It would be a shame to leave the design as is, as the vehicle mode silhouette would look completely the same, so we added chimney mufflers on both sides to create a design that gives the familiar Optimus Prime vehicle mode feel.

The chimney mufflers are designed to be on both sides.
The "Legendary Optimus Prime" has a design that only has a chimney muffler on the right side, just like in the movie.

Next, please tell us about the highlights of the robot mode and the newly sculpted parts.

Synergenex: Of course, the face is newly sculpted.

For this collaboration, we wanted to incorporate the characteristics of Evangelion Unit-01 into the new model. Also, because of the transformation structure, we thought the chest could be swapped, so we were able to create a design that follows the distinctive chest armor of Evangelion Unit-01.

Also, because the chest can be opened, it is possible to create a depiction of the core being slightly exposed when portraying the so-called berserk state.

One of the reasons we based it on Legendary Optimus Prime is the shoulder armor parts. The shoulder armor on Legendary Optimus Prime is movable, and we thought that by standing this part up, we could express the shape of Evangelion's distinctive shoulder weapon rack, which worked well, allowing us to create shoulder armor that resembles a weapon rack.

When I saw the robot mode, I was impressed by how it beautifully blended the organic feel of Evangelion Unit-01 with the metallic lifeform feel of Transformers.

Synergenex: Evangelion Unit-01 originally had a slender silhouette, and the distinctive V-shaped design around its stomach in particular made me wonder, "What would happen if we incorporated Unit-01 into the silhouette of Optimus Prime?"

At that time, there was a grill around the stomach, so by changing the straight design of the grill to a diagonal, we were able to incorporate the essence of Evangelion Unit-01 and create a well-balanced design.

I think one of the attractions of this model is that the optional items are packed with Evangelion elements.

Synergenex: When it comes to optional items, there's the blaster gun and energy axe, which are typical of Optimus Prime, and the energy sword if you include movie-related items.

Among them, Optimus Prime uses axes widely, from the original G1 anime series to the live-action films, so I thought, "I want to incorporate an axe element somewhere," and "I want to incorporate Evangelion elements into that."

In the Evangelion films, "spears" such as the Spear of Longinus and the Spear of Cassius are key items, and there are scenes where they change shape, so I imagined, "Maybe a spear can change into the shape of an axe?" and came up with ideas.

When I proposed this idea to the copyright holder, they kindly agreed, and I was able to incorporate it into the design of the "Axe of Cassius."

Additionally, with the included progressive energy knife, I had a personal wish for Unit-01 to carry a progressive knife, and I thought that shortening the blade of the energy blade that appeared in the live-action film would create synergy, so we were able to come up with a design that matches perfectly.

The large blaster that comes with Legendary Optimus Prime was based on the Pallet Rifle, but this time I decided to make it an Ion Gatling Blaster, based on the Gatling gun that appeared in Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, with the muzzle designed like a Gatling gun.

And I think it's a shocking collaboration that the Matrix, which is proof of the Autobot's leadership, has become the Core Matrix in Evangelion Prime Unit-01.

Synergenex: To be honest, it's no exaggeration to say that this was the first thing I thought of (laughs).

This time, the Core Matrix cannot be stored in the main body's chest, but since there is a chest-opening gimmick, I thought that fans who are familiar with Transformers might feel unsatisfied if the Matrix was not included.

So, we placed a removable Matrix part in the main body's chest, which can be removed and attached to a hand-held Core Matrix, allowing us to express the action of holding it in both hands. This was also a great match and created synergy.

Synergenex: The Matrix is ??an important part, a crystallized form of wisdom that houses the crystalline souls (sparks) of past leaders. When we applied it to Evangelion Unit-01, we thought this would be the "core."

By scanning this, you can also enjoy imaginative play, such as wondering if the crystallized wisdom of the matrix that houses the soul is also affected.

It really gets your imagination racing as you wonder what would happen if the Core Matrix were released.

Synergenex: We hope that consumers will enjoy playing with this toy, but also wonder what would happen if Evangelion Prime Unit-01 were to open its chest and lift its Core Matrix?

We hope that you will use your imagination as you play.

The holder parts are also optional parts that are rare for Transformers toys.

Synergenex: The reason we added them is that this product has a wide variety of options, so it's inevitable that some parts won't fit on the main body.

With Transformers toys, we feel it's best for weapons to be attached somewhere, and this time there was a joint on the back that looked like it could be attached, so we added a holder that would allow them all to be set together.

Next, what about movement? I believe the basics are based on "Legendary Optimus Prime," but have any new movements been added?

Synergenex: The movement of each part is based on "Legendary Optimus Prime."

The original structure allowed for a wide range of motion, so we've retained that, but we've also expanded the range of motion for the head. In its base state, it was structurally impossible to lift the chin.

This time, when expressing the movement of "Evangelion Unit-01," we really wanted to recreate the scene where it roars.

So when we redesigned the head, we adjusted it to allow for a wider range of motion. As a result, in addition to the original range of motion for the neck to move forward, we can now lift the head up, allowing for a fairly free range of head movement.

Does the transformation process also follow the same pattern?

Synergenex: Yes. This one also basically follows the same process as "Legendary Optimus Prime." However, there are some parts with new part placement, such as the weapon rack on the shoulder, so we think you'll enjoy comparing it with "Legendary Optimus Prime."

In terms of transformation, what are the steps for changing the head's face?

Synergenex: This one has the same mask-on/mask-off switching function as "Legendary Optimus Prime." To switch faces, you lift the top of the head and rotate the face inside.

We took advantage of this mechanism to recreate the mask-on face that is characteristic of Optimus Prime and the face that is characteristic of "Evangelion Unit-01." And since "Evangelion Unit-01" has an impressive opening mouth, we incorporated that element as a gimmick.

Please tell us about the points you were particular about or struggled with in this product.

Synergenex: There were a lot of points we were particular about.

For robot mode, we considered, "What essence can Optimus Prime incorporate into Evangelion Unit-01 so that he can borrow its power when he scans it?" We focused on areas that would create synergy, such as the distinctive shoulder weapon racks, chest armor, and a play core inside the chest.

We also considered how to express the distinctive V-shaped line of Evangelion Unit-01's stomach, which we mentioned earlier, on Optimus Prime.

We had fun designing a fusion of the designs of Optimus Prime and Evangelion Unit-01, and there was a lot of trial and error in various areas.

When we decided to completely match the coloring with Evangelion Unit-01, we incorporated the colors of Evangelion Unit-01 onto Optimus Prime, and when we thought, "This part will probably be orange," or "This part will probably be green," we compared the shapes of the two and decided on the colors, carefully painting them accordingly.

In terms of the coloring, were there any restrictions on vehicle mode and robot mode? For example, deciding on the colors for parts that are visible in both modes.

Synergenex: Interestingly, this product's transformation structure means that the visible surface of vehicle mode doesn't really show up in robot mode.

As a result, we were able to freely consider the best colors for vehicle mode and the best colors for robot mode.

On the other hand, the NERV and Autobot markings that are visible in vehicle mode are hidden in robot mode because the panels are turned over, so we added a small Autobot mark to the chest as a marking element for robot mode.

Finally, please give a message to users.

Synergenex: This time, we've put a lot of effort into making this product so that both Transformers fans and Evangelion fans can pick it up. We hope that fans of both will use it to spark an interest in both Transformers and Evangelion.

We're developing this product so that you can enjoy the unique features and charms of each, and realize, "Oh, this element was taken from Transformers," or "Was this color scheme inspired by Evangelion Unit-01," so we hope you'll look forward to it.

Thank you very much.