BODY: Huis Ten Bosch, the sprawling Dutch-themed resort in Nagasaki Prefecture, is going full NERV ahead of the April 24 debut of its new flagship attraction โ Evangelion: The Ride -8K-. Ahead of opening day, the park has unveiled an extensive lineup of collaboration goods exclusive to the "NERV Sasebo Branch," and the merch lineup is stacked.
The exclusive goods lean hard into the Sasebo Branch branding, giving Eva fans a location-specific hook that collectors live for. From apparel and accessories to snacks and stationery, the collaboration covers the usual theme park spread but with enough unique NERV-branded designs to justify the pilgrimage to western Kyushu. The "Sasebo Branch" designation is a playful nod to the park's real-world location, folding Huis Ten Bosch into Evangelion's fictional geography.
The ride itself promises an 8K visual experience โ a significant technical flex for a theme park attraction. While full details on the ride's content remain under wraps, the 8K framing suggests an immersive visual spectacle built around the franchise's iconic mecha battles and apocalyptic imagery. Huis Ten Bosch has been steadily investing in marquee attractions to draw visitors beyond its traditional European-village aesthetic, and an Eva tie-up is arguably its boldest play yet.
For fans planning a visit, the collab goods will be available at the park starting around the ride's opening window. Given the limited-edition nature of theme park exclusives, early arrivals will have the best shot at snagging the full lineup.
The insider take
Huis Ten Bosch has been quietly repositioning itself as more than just a tulip-and-windmill destination, and this Evangelion partnership signals real ambition. The park sits far from the Tokyo-Osaka tourist corridor, so landing a franchise as massive as Eva โ and building a permanent ride around it, not just a seasonal pop-up โ is a statement move. Theme park-exclusive merch with location-specific branding (the NERV Sasebo Branch angle) is exactly the kind of thing that drives otaku tourism to off-the-beaten-path destinations, and Huis Ten Bosch clearly knows its audience.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).