[TV] Neon Genesis Evangelion

[hemigod]

Reviewer: Saint of M
Name: Neon Genesis Evangelion
Alternative name (Japanese title): Shin Seiki Evangelion
Category: Anime/Animated TV Show
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction, Giant Mecka, Post Apocalyptic, Psychological Thriller, action.
Year: 1995
Director: Hideaki Anno
Chapters/episodes: 26
Suggested Audience: 15-Adult. Technicaly as low as fourteen, but I think it may be a bit much for them.

Details: This is one of the more interesting animes you will ever come across. In the near future an event called First Impact has annihilated most of the worlds population. Fifteen years later, giant monsters called Angels terrorize the last remnants of humanity. To combat these creatures a Government organization, called NERV., has created biomechanical fighting Robots called Evangelions (EVA's for short.) Although powerful, they have one draw back: they have to stay connected to a constant source of energy, or they shut down within five minutes.

The series starts off with the lead Character, Shinji Ikari, entering the reconstructed Tokoy-3, to meet his father Gendo Ikari (the Head of NERV.) He hasn’t seen him for years, and the only reason why his dad wants him to come is so that he can pilot Unit 1 (most powerful, if not the most Dangerous, of the three mecks.) A severe contrast to Shinjie’s personality. To add to the irony, it’s nicknamed Oni (Japanese for devil.) Due to his lack of free will, and seeing a fellow pilot, Rei Ayanami, severely injured, he fights. After clumsily making the meck trip over it’s own two feet, and being severely thrashed, Shinji defeats the Angel; his Eva marching victoriously back through the flames and destruction.

Along with Rei, and a hot headed, voluptuous German Girl, Asuka Langley Soryu, they fight these monsters (and each other) with all manner of weapons.
Shinji him self is your generic depressed kid, who has no ability to disagree, or stand up for him self. Not wanting to get hurt, and feeling it’s the only reason why people will “need” or want him, he fights. Another reason he fights is to gain his father’s respect and acknowledgment. He lives with the lovely, and sometimes drunk, Misoto Katsuragi, who is also kind of his handler, sergeant mother, and boss. Along with Ryoji Kaji and Ritsuko Akagi, they train and give orders to the Pilots.

Rei is actually the first to pilot one to pilot one of these impressive mecks. She doesn’t seem to have any emotions, but Shinji slowly grows on her, to the point where it’s romantic (too bad they’re the only two that don’t get it.) She is 100% loyal to Gendo, and is one of the fiercest pilots.

Finally Auska is the generic angry chick, who has not only a superiority complex, but has some inferiority issues as we’ll. Since her first appearance, she teases, bullies and punches Shinji. She also hates Rei’s guts for being nothing more then a “emotionless doll.” Ironically, she also has a crush on the poor protagonist, and is both intrigued and annoyed by his submissive demeanor.

Overall it’s a great show. The first half of the series is descent enough, but after about episode 14, things get real twisted, real fast. The envelope gets pushed as the ideas of playing God is force fed down our throats, and the characters’ inner demons come out ten fold! Not to mention some liberties, and a total disregard, or dissection of religion as a whole. This has given the show a bit of notoriety, dubbing it “The Most Controversial anime” ever created. The last two episodes are a total mind trip. It’s not for every one, and you may be scared off half way through. But it’s worth seeing, and do recommend it.


Overview.
Plot: It’s very original, having the twists and turns as the story progresses.
Character: Very well done. People can relate to them. Even the generic ones seem to have human and real qualities to them.
Action: Do you like seeing things blown up? Do you like knives, bullets, and the occasional robot body part whizzing though the air? Do you like seeing giant purple mecks going berserk? If you said yes to any of these, then you will LOVE this show.
Drama: Just as intense, and just as vivid.
Originality: This is as ambitious of an anime as the Mini-Con the club wants to do in July 2007, and the effort is here. Mecks that need extension cords, and the monster designs are unique to this series alone.
Visuals: All 2-D graphics. Despite being a ten year old anime, it’s still very good by today’s standards. A+ for that!

Overall Score: 8.9

[neko]

THANK YOU, it is one of my favorite <3