Wonder Festival 2025 Summer: Evangelion Takes Center Stage Amidst Industry Shifts
The summer edition of Wonder Festival, held on July 27, 2025, saw a significant focus on Evangelion merchandise, even as attendees braved the intense Japanese heat and notable absences from some industry giants.
The annual event, a cornerstone of Japanese pop culture, is traditionally divided into commercial and fan-based sections. This year, however, the commercial side presented a changed landscape. Several major players, including Kotobukiya, Good Smile Company, Bandai, and Takara Tomy, scaled back their presence with noticeably smaller stalls than usual.
While Bandai and Takara Tomy maintained a limited presence, a surge in participation from new Chinese manufacturers filled some of the void. Companies like CCS Toys and POSE+ showcased impressive new products, with the upcoming Ultimate Dancouga from Super Robot Wars 30 by CCS Toys drawing particular attention. “The upcoming Ultimate Dancouga from CCS Toys is very impressive in the flesh,” one attendee remarked.
The spotlight, however, firmly belonged to Evangelion. A dedicated area was devoted to both existing and forthcoming merchandise, alongside more niche collectibles. A highlight for many was the display of original artwork from the 1990s Newtype magazine, used to initially promote the iconic television series.
Following the commercial displays, the fan-based section continued to thrive, offering a vast array of creations. Fan-made kits of Armored Trooper VOTOMS remained popular, alongside offerings for Layzner and Galient. The resurgence of interest in older Armored Core titles – fueled by recent digital re-releases of the first three games on PlayStation – was also evident.
A significant amount of Virtual On kits were on display, including elaborate papercraft versions of characters like the Jaguarandi from Virtual On Force. One stall even showcased every variant from Virtual On Force, creating a remarkable visual spectacle.
Interestingly, the fan-based section saw a near-complete absence of content related to Gundam GQuuuuuuX or Requiem for Vengeance, a curious omission given the presence of other Gundam offerings, albeit limited.
As always, observers noted that the creativity on display within the fan-based section often foreshadows trends that will eventually influence the commercial side of the industry in the years to come. “It’s always more interesting to see what the fans are up to,” a senior official stated, “as that tends to influence the commercial side of things a few years down the road.”
Despite a preference for the winter event, attendees acknowledged the enduring appeal of Wonder Festival. “In any case, it was another great Wonder Festival and reinforced my love for this event, which never fails to impress and intrigue,” one enthusiast shared. “Although I much prefer the winter event, the current Japanese summer is pretty brutal.”
Wonder Festival 2025 Summer Gallery
Date: July 27, 2025
Entry: 3,500 yen
For more information and updates, follow the event organizer on X, Facebook, and YouTube. . The organizer also manages Mecha Damashii and is currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition touring Japan.
