The E2 series Shinkansen were developed beginning in 1995 to service the Asama service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line as well as to replace the older 200 series trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. In March 1997 the E2 series entered service on the express Yamabiko service on the Tohoku line, which couples with a Komachi service train for some of its run.
The first Plarail E2 series Shinkansen was released as the E2北陸新幹線 E2 Hokuriku Shinkansen in 1996 in seventh generation packaging.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen uses the same chassis as the 2-Speed Tsubasa and uses a two-speed new power gearbox.
I have two 1996 E2 Shinkansens, one currently missing its gearbox. These light blue gear gearboxes are prone to splitting gears, and the other later train also has slipping gears.
In 1997 the 400 series chassis tooling was updated so that a mini (power and tail car only) E2 could connect to a mini E3 Akita Shinkansen in the Akita Shinkansen Opening Commemorative Set. This tooling feature was carried forward to future trains that used the 400 series chassis. A 3D printable version of this connector can be downloaded here.
In 1998 the E2 series was rereleased as E2新幹線あさま E2 Shinkansen Asama. These releases continue to use the connection-capable chassis.