Neon Genesis Evangelion

Original Title: 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン
Romanized: Shin Seiki Evangelion
Literal: New Century

Plot Synopsis

It is 2015, and the world has rebuilt after a global scale disaster in 2001, but the time of reckoning has come--mysterious invaders known as angels are descending to Earth one by one to try and bring about the end of mankind. But mankind is not unprepared; a secretive project has developed EVAs, gigantic biological humanoid fighting machines, to stop them. But not just anyone can pilot these weapons of salvation.

Fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari, estranged son of Gendo, is called to the project by his father. Together, Shinji, the egotistical German girl Asuka, and the mysterious, emotionless Rei are tasked with finding a way to control the EVAs to thwart the invasion. But what purpose do the angels really serve, what is the secret of the EVAs, and what is the true goal of Gendo and his shadowy organization?

Quick Review

Rating: 3.5 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2006-08-15

The vast majority of anime fans have already seen Evangelion, and those who haven't can look at it this way: If you're a serious anime fan, you should see it whether it sounds appealing or not, since it has become a sort of watermark of everything that has followed. At worst, you'll hate it but at least know what everyone is talking about, and be aware of the many later series that reference or steal from it. At best, you, like many, will adore it and revel in its depth. If you're not a serious anime fan, the choice is simple: Does spending about 12 hours watching angst-ridden kids pilot giant, mysterious robots against the backdrop of political machinations, heavy Biblical imagery, and endless layers of psychological and metaphysical implications, wrapped up in a classy-looking mecha-action framework with an abstract, head-scratching climax sound like a worthwhile use of your time? If so, go get some.

US DVD Review

There are a confusing array of DVD versions available. First there were 8 individual discs, later sold together as a box set. These discs are solid, but don't include a whole lot in the special features department. This version is the same as the Japanese TV broadcast.

That was followed by the "Platinum Edition," a 7-disc release with remastered video and 5.1 audio in both languages, as well as far more extras. This version is of the "Director's Cut" version that was released on laserdisc in Japan (most of the changes are late in the series).

Finally there is a "10th anniversary set" scheduled for release later this year.

Content Guide

Appropriately rated 15-up by ADV for implied mature themes, graphic violence, and some disturbing imagery.

Violence: 3 - Most of the fighting involves big robots and abstract angels, but it can get exceedingly gory.

Nudity: 2 - Bits scattered about.

Sex/Mature Themes: 2 - Significant mature themes, and one scene with implied offscreen sex.

Language: 1 - Not noteworthy.

Notes and Trivia

Evangelion is not based on a manga series, but there are two manga adaptations.

The first, which began in 1995 and spans 9 books, is by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and tells an alternate version of the same story; it is available in English from VIZ.

The second, "Girlfriend of Steel 2," is a 2003 series by Fumino Hayashi, and features a drastically different retelling of the story, with the same characters cast in a somewhat more standard schoolyard romance; it is available in English from AD Vision under the title "Angelic Days."

Availability

Available in the US from AD Vision. Currently available on 7 remastered platinum edition hybrid DVDs (which include "Director's Cut" additions), also sold at a drastically reduced price in a box set. Was previously available on 8 hybrid DVDs, also sold as a box set. Prior to that, it was available on 13 subtitled or dubbed VHS volumes, and was also briefly available on laserdisc.

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