Evangelion Megathread

[Y]

Since Evangelion is going to air on Cartoon Network shortly and reach a larger audience than ever, I thought I'd go ahead and post another Eva thread filled with screenshots to draw some interest in the show.

No, bumping the year old ones would not have been a better call.

From AnimeNfo (http://www.animenfo.com):


n the year 2015, half of the human race is dead, and the survivors face a terrifying last judgment from giant biotechnology experiments called Angels.

Within Tokyo-3 and the headquarters of the secretive organization called NERV, a special United Nations agency. A handful of teenagers are trained to pilot the colossal super-entities known as Evangelions and battle the Angels on their own terms... whatever the cost to their minds and souls.

Shinji Ikari, whose father heads the NERV team that developed and maintains the Evangelion., is thrust into a maelstrom of battle and events that he does not understand. Forced to plumb the depths of himself for the courage and strength to not only fight, but to survive...

Evangelion is widely considered to be Gainax's magnum opus (with Wings of Honneamise right behind), and is regarded as one of the most controversial anime ever (though for the wrong reasons). It pretty much hits every note you can possibly touch on in Japanese animation - drama, psychological horror, action, mecha, fanservice, and (heh) philosophy. It was unbelievably popular for a few years after the airing in Japan and became an obsession among the growing Internet fandom of the time. Naturally, as with all things, the backlash inevitably hit, and Evangelion stands as one of the most influential, beloved (and hated) series of the 90's, and likely of all time.

Here are a few screenshots to give you a summary of the first episode (and to waste time capping high quality screenshots).

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3696/bscap0249dk.jpg

This is our protagonist, Shinji Ikari. He is probably the most loathed anime character of all time.

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/885/bscap0254sf.jpg

This is Misato Katsuragi, the government official who was supposed to be meeting Shinji. Tits highlighted in the original screencap, of course.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/294/bscap0260go.jpg

This is Rei Ayanami. She flashes into vision for a second here. Why? Well, you'll find out... or not.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4552/bscap0273qk.jpg

This is the enemy that Shinji is being called in to fight - an Angel, one of several. After a long absence, they've once again begun attacking Tokyo-3 for reasons unknown.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6389/bscap0297lr.jpg

The Angel destroying the United Nations' attack forces. Even in the future these guys are pussies!

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4885/bscap0287ql.jpg

The United Nations pulls out all the stops to get rid of the Angel. It doesn't work.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5800/bscap0307rn.jpg

NERV, the organization tasked by the United Nations with beating back the Angels.

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7476/bscap0315tv.jpg

The head of NERV, Gendo Ikari. Shinji's dad. They have issues, to say the least.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5535/bscap0321fh.jpg

Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, also known as Bitch.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/9331/bscap0332zm.jpg

This is Evangelion Unit 01. Shinji is expected to hop in this his first day on the job.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9269/bscap0356mc.jpg
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7232/bscap0368vq.jpg

Meanwhile the Angel tears the shit out of Tokyo-3 with giant cross-shaped blasts from its eyes! Laughter and happiness abound.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8929/bscap0375hw.jpg

When Shinji refuses to pilot it, the heavily injured Rei Ayanami is brought in to help him. Way to be a man, Shinji - get a crippled girl to cover for you!

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7968/bscap0381we.jpg

The Angel's blasts loosen the rafters, and they fall towards Shinji, who is saved by a timely intervention from a pilotless Unit 01.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/841/bscap0391cy.jpg

"I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away..."

You'll be hearing this a few more times, too.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/639/bscap0407lj.jpg

Shinji hops into the Evangelion and promptly gets high.

http://img132.echo.cx/img132/6567/bscap0419ck.jpg

ROLL OUT.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7041/bscap0422ub.jpg

Unit 01 ready to go out and kick everyone's ass.



Now go watch this Goddamn series. Buy the Platinum DVD set when it comes out or download it if you are a faggot!

Post anything Evangelion related here. I may bump this with screens from Episode 2 if I feel like it later.

[Terracosmo]

Evangelion was a strange show to say the least, I don't hate or love it - I'm somewhere in between.
It had some very good moments, but also a lot of stuff that I didn't like. I particularly loathed how fucking confusing it got towards the end.

But yeah, I can see how it got so popular. It's a must for any fan of japanese animation to see.

[Y]

The first time I watched this series I was blown away in more ways than one. Even people who loathe the direction the series took at the end (a result of budget cuts and the entire staff going absolutely out of their fucking gourds) agree that this series is a watershed mark in anime history. I agree with Terra - if you haven't watched this series, you are absolutely missing out on the "big picture" of where anime went after 1995, and where it is still going today.

[DraGunZer0]

I'm assuming it would be editted a bit since its airing on TV. The show was sick when i first saw it and its still pretty unique for a mech anime till this day. Oh and btw your info on Dr. Ritsuko Akagi is wrong, she is also known as ToeKnee's (My) bitch

[Y]

The major problem I see with airing Evangelion on adult swim is the nudity. I bet some swim trunks and bras are going to be Photoshopped onto a few scenes.

[Mut]

*Evangeline Megathread

Fixed.

[MrTicTac]

gaaah i hate rei's english voice actress (dvd va, dunno bout cartoon network's) ,, REIIII !!! ;___;

cartoon network is atleast showing some more balls, introducing more animes, but feels like theyre just using some animes to attract more people into watching the dying shows they have already (those other cartoons, not anime)


dont wanna sound like an elitist, but they should either keep original subtitles and leave the japanese cursing and have subs like sh** f*** etc i doubt govt or whatever will care if they curse in japanese on a kids network,, hell they curse all the time in comedy central and some other cable networks or they should train and hire actors that actually know and love what theyre doing, best va's love wat theyre doing and perform better cause of it


oh and major problem, my guess would be like 95% of the viewers prolly wont understand crap, and be entirely focused on the fighting/action, its already hard enough to understand for most anime fans who watch it over and over, episodes would be scattered weekly, and hmm they play movies once in a while right? maybe they might show end of eva

[Death BOO Z]

I have no fucking idea what went on in evangelion, even after watching it and reading some of the manga.
everything that went on was crazy, i have a file named 'redbook - handed out at the end of the end of evangelion movie - must read explanation!.doc" with some explenations about it, and it refers to stuff i didn't know existed.

[basey44]

hehe i really liked evangelion, anyone who hasnt seen it must watch it on cartoon network, but i fear you will forget little bits and pieces while waiting for the next ep to air.

it happens to be the only anime i own, ive got 1 to 5 of the platinum series, 6 &7 havent been released yet in australia

[Lefty]

Originally posted by: Death BOO Z
I have no fucking idea what went on in evangelion, even after watching it and reading some of the manga.
everything that went on was crazy, i have a file named 'redbook - handed out at the end of the end of evangelion movie - must read explanation!.doc" with some explenations about it, and it refers to stuff i didn't know existed.
It was really multi layered existential journy of humanity through the final days. The movie's really brings that whole dycotamy home.
On the surface it's about a boy who has to save the world with a mecha.
Beneath that it's about a dysfuntinal group of peopole interacting, clashing, loving, hating, blah blah blah.Basic human interaction story.
Beneath that we have the layer of man becoming god, by creating somthing in mans own image. that he can freely control and use to his own devices.
Beneath that we have a story of christ becoming a prophet then being cruxcified and resurected(crusifiction and resurrection are mainly the movies.) If there is anyhting beneath that then it's too deply hidden that only Hideaki sensei knows about.

[DeluxSkillz]

oh god they're gonna mind rape children with this, evangelion is one of the worst shows i've ever seen, the characters are either insane or cry babys, i loved episode one but what happened after that ruined the entire show actually the only things i liked in this show was the few mech battles but that was all the story is bleh and kiddies who watch CN won't understand it at all

[Y]

Originally posted by: MrTicTac
gaaah i hate rei's english voice actress (dvd va, dunno bout cartoon network's) ,, REIIII !!! ;___;

cartoon network is atleast showing some more balls, introducing more animes, but feels like theyre just using some animes to attract more people into watching the dying shows they have already (those other cartoons, not anime)


dont wanna sound like an elitist, but they should either keep original subtitles and leave the japanese cursing and have subs like sh** f*** etc i doubt govt or whatever will care if they curse in japanese on a kids network,, hell they curse all the time in comedy central and some other cable networks or they should train and hire actors that actually know and love what theyre doing, best va's love wat theyre doing and perform better cause of it


You're retarded. There is no word in Japanese that conveys the sentiment that "fuck" does for us in English, and I don't remember any serious swearing in Evangelion at all (the two times that fuck was used in the movie were added by Amanda Win Lee, that stupid bitch). The bigger problems will be nudity and horrific violence.

This is the second round of screencaps. I hope nobody here is on 56k. If you need these to be thumbnailed just tell me.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1531/bscap0440vi.jpg

Shinji manages to control Unit 01 enough to get it to walk...

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/9170/bscap0456rq.jpg

... and promptly falls flat on his ass.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/7940/bscap0466ix.jpg

The Angel gives Shinji a helping hand.

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5272/bscap0490xl.jpg

He also does chiropractic services.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/247/bscap0516qj.jpg

The Angel pierces Shinji with his long phallic symbol.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5980/bscap0525fp.jpg

This worked out great! Also, clipping error.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8943/bscap0532zh.jpg

Right as Shinji is getting facefucked, it cuts to him waking up in the hospital.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/6270/bscap0541am.jpg

Oh those kids and their messes! Note we still never saw the actual battle.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4546/bscap0553ex.jpg

The cast takes a break from the anime.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7526/bscap0567lx.jpg

The commission that Gendo is a member of, and their color-coded kindergarten chairs.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5725/bscap0571va.jpg

Chariman Keele is mad because he failed his audition for Star Trek: The Next Generation.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2028/bscap0608ar.jpg

This is the gist of all of their meetings.

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9591/bscap0612me.jpg

The large phallic buildings swell up to their full erect positions... I'm sorry, what was I talking about again?

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2024/bscap0629tk.jpg

Shinji moves in with Misato, who apparently never left the college dorm lifestyle.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8238/bscap0633on.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7508/bscap0647bf.jpg

HELLO THERE.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1571/bscap0650rx.jpg

This is Pen Pen, who is really God. Sorry for the spoilers.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2124/bscap0676ja.jpg

Shinji flashes back to the battle later that night as he remembers.

I'll let this speak for itself.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8564/bscap0706du.jpg
http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/4381/bscap0718ip.jpg
http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/2952/bscap0725wb.jpg
http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/3329/bscap0737ua.jpg
http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/9666/bscap0749to.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/51/bscap0756nr.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6438/bscap0776ys.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/7945/bscap0782qw.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1308/bscap0790sm.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3671/bscap0808xt.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/494/bscap0817dy.jpg
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/852/bscap0223fj.jpg

Biggest asswhooping in the history of ever.

And for the weird side:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1818/bscap0825zk.jpg

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT.

Go buy the rest of the fucking series because I couldn't think of funny captions for this episode much less all the other ones.

[Terracosmo]

PenPen is my favorite character. He really is god.

I just love that scene where he eats Misato's food and the screen flashes in funny colors.
It's hilarious because it's so incredibly out of place.

[Board of Command]

The last two episodes were TOTALLY uncalled for. I'm sure if they had a better budget, they would have told the story differently. Despite that, some people seem to love that type of mesmerizing ending.

With that said, the first 24 episodes and the movie are definitely revolutionary for anime.

[Lefty]

If you watch the directors cut of the last six eps it changes the entire series plus the last two eps make a bit more sense but not much. Still I thoug hthey were good but yeah didn't really end the sereis. But then we got the movies so all is good.

[masamuneehs]

Honestly, this series is GREAT and anybody who hasn't seen it should do themselves a favor and go out and BUY IT. Yes, buy it! I don't know what Cartoon Network will edit but I just don't trust the censors... It is true that all of the characters are fucked up, but that is what this show is about! I loved having a show without any goody two-shoes or self-righteous hero guy and without a I Am SOOO Evil Villain to fight.

It is true that the series gets a little messed up towards the end. However, I think that episode 22 (the 3rd to last one) is really very good and well. Well the last 2 episodes... oh well, what the hell... Do yourself a favor, WHEN you're disappointed at the end of the series, go see End of Evangelion the movie. It will confuse you to no limit, but it rocks the socks off the last 2 eps of the series and I personally think of it as the End of the series, with the final two episodes just some BS crackpot garbage that was strewn together hastilly on top of an otherwise great masterpiece of anime.

And reading the Red Book will help you. By making you more confused!!! MWahaha (no i've never even read it)

[Y]

Originally posted by: Lefty
If you watch the directors cut of the last six eps it changes the entire series plus the last two eps make a bit more sense but not much. Still I thoug hthey were good but yeah didn't really end the sereis. But then we got the movies so all is good.

Unless I am sorely mistaken there is nothing added to the final two episodes at all in the "director's cut" (which is really just the Japanese DVDs, since there was never a DVD release of the original TV cut in Japan), and the scene in episode 24 could be extrapolated anyway.

EDIT:

Also, the TV ending makes the series a much better and more original work than the movie ending does, even though they both basically cover the same material.

[Munsu]

not sure if anyone mentioned it already, but it is official that it will be airing in Adult Swim (not like we didn't expected it)

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=6976

[MrTicTac]

heh, Y, i'm just using fuck and shit as examples i dont know/care whether or not theres a jpn translation to the english word for fuck, how the hell should i know, i'm not japanese and whend i say theres major cursing in eva ?

my comment was towards all animes they air so the animes would keep the original va's that fit them (ya ya theres bad jpn/eng va's) or hire/train new va's but since english voice acting isnt that popular, only times major english voice actors are hired (and they do a pretty good job since theyre pro) are like ones that involve disney

cn usual style, prolly gonna take out most of the blood, and its not like hentai nudity, theyll prolly fastforward when shinji fell on rei (naked) have the bigger beer can version blocking shinji when he came out of the shower, hmm and have like still shot scenes of characters talking instead of having shown misato and that guy hooked up and same thing for scenes like the hot spring and when rei, asuka, and shinji piloted their evas naked

i really dont like the tv series ending, so i hope they show the movie (prolly not though) so it'll help some fans

[Lefty]

Originally posted by: Y


Originally posted by: Lefty
If you watch the directors cut of the last six eps it changes the entire series plus the last two eps make a bit more sense but not much. Still I thoug hthey were good but yeah didn't really end the sereis. But then we got the movies so all is good.

Unless I am sorely mistaken there is nothing added to the final two episodes at all in the "director's cut" (which is really just the Japanese DVDs, since there was never a DVD release of the original TV cut in Japan), and the scene in episode 24 could be extrapolated anyway.

EDIT:

Also, the TV ending makes the series a much better and more original work than the movie ending does, even though they both basically cover the same material.

Yes the last two director cut eps are diffrent form the originals, not like ten minutes longer but some stuff was added that didn't air in the original broadcast. It made more sense to me.

[Y]

Originally posted by: Lefty
Yes the last two director cut eps are diffrent form the originals, not like ten minutes longer but some stuff was added that didn't air in the original broadcast. It made more sense to me.

Name the scenes. Really, I don't think there's any differences.

[MrTicTac]

didnt they only add like extra flashback scenes

[basey44]

thats what i thought

i like the movie ending better though, also the 2 endings are totally different to eachother in what happens. i wont spoil here so ill keep this pretty vague, but in the tv ending he makes a choice and in the movie ending he takes the alternative to his choice. if i remember right, its been a while since i saw the tv ending

[Kenzaburo]

Evangelion is pretty much one of the weirdest shows I've ever seen. Nowadays I got the feeling, that they really didn't know what kind of show they wanted to make.
Back then, when I watched it ('bout 7 years ago, I guess) I used to like it. I loved the mysteries and religion related stuff combined with a mecha theme. But the whole show just got more and more depressing to watch. Instead of the characters slowly getting a hold of themselves they turned into some really frightening lunatics. The last two episodes than really screwed it up for me just because it seemed like the creators decided that they wanted to do a show about the psyche of insane people. And even if this counts as spoiling: This show does NOT answer one single question that came up before. NOT ONE!
It was only after the end of the TV series that I read about the movies and them offering a different ending. So my hopes went up again. Man, was I wrong...the movies turned out to be sicker than the show itself. Seriously, it was so depressing to me, that I got into a really bad mood...felt like I just wanted to kill myself. After seeing that I really started to think of the Tv ending as being somehwat lighthearted.
All I can say is, that this show might have been great if the ending had been a lot different...like giving a real ending. Finally concluding the Angel storyline, the whole stuff about "Seele" and whatnot.

Sorry for the rant...but it shows, how disappointed I still am with that series.

[MrTicTac]

Hideaki Anno was either a weird guy or a genius i guess o_o

but he does have talent in animation, especially at that time

[Y]

This is a quote that partly expresses why the ending is the way it is.



About the time that the production system was completely falling apart, there were some opinions to the effect that, "If we can't do satisfactory work, then what's the point of continuing?" However, I didn't feel that way. My opinion was, "Why don't we show them the entire process including our breakdown."

Evangelion offers a better insight into the creative mentality behind it then anything I've ever seen, probably because it intentionally wears the personality of its director and staff on its sleeve. The staff's mental breakdown during the show creates a much more interesting final project than if they had attempted to put up a happy facade.

[XanBcoo]

I've gotta go to a chemistry review so I can't say much. Will be back later because...

Evangelion is my favorite anime ever. Partially because It's the first one I ever watched. But other than that, everything that Y has said is true.

Back later to flaunt my Eva fanboy-ness...

[Y]

On the note of the Director's Cut, ZX's release for it is episode 21-24 because 25 and 26 have no new material added. I am pretty sure nothing has ever been altered in the last two episodes.

[Kenzaburo]

New scenes added in the episodes before 25&26? You mean like more depressing stuff? As far as I recall it was already pretty bad...I have a vague memory of suicide and other very serious stuff going on in there. As for the last two episodes, I'm sure I wouldn't notice any extra scenes in there, because of all the crazyness already going on in there. With all those image flashes and alternate realities and such things. Although I really liked the alternate reality version, guess that's why I called the TV episodes "lighthearted" before...at least compared to the movies.

And again: If anyone here is already in a pretty bad mood, or even depressive...THEN STAY AWAY from those EVA movies! They're bad and do strange things to your mind.

And yep, I'm serious about that. If you're down, watch some Sailor Moon or whatever to cheer you up.^^

[XanBcoo]

yeah, 25 and 26 have always been as they are.
It's the few eps before that that they added teh previously deleted scenes to and named it the "directors cut" - which are also on the platinum dvds XD.

Has anyone got a copy of the red book or whatever it's called that they can send me? Deathboo said he had it as a .doc file. I'd really like to read it.

in any case, the only point I can make right now is that for me: TV ending > movie ending
It seemed to sum up what the show was really about. Granted I was at first looking forward to seeing what would really happen in the story. But looking back now, I'm really glad they ended it as they did.
It really represented the end of the existentialist's struggle. ie. accepting fate, choosing to make your own reality (Congratulations!). And that's what all the characters (mainly shinji; little wimp) were doing...Struggling.

[Board of Command]

Originally posted by: basey44
thats what i thought

i like the movie ending better though, also the 2 endings are totally different to eachother in what happens. i wont spoil here so ill keep this pretty vague, but in the tv ending he makes a choice and in the movie ending he takes the alternative to his choice. if i remember right, its been a while since i saw the tv ending
Yes, the movie ending and the TV ending are quite different. The movie ending was easier to understand because it actually uses images instead of flashing words.

[XanBcoo]

It's a pretty popular view that the last two episodes take place during the part in the movie when Shinji's inside the giant Rei. The end of episode 26 is when he bursts out of the eye. At least, that's what I've heard. I'll buy it for now.

C'mon Y, let's have an episode 3 synopsis. Who doesn't love seeing someone beating the crap outta shinji?

[MrTicTac]

the movie ending suits shinji better i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif

[Y]

I think Shinji choking Asuka at the final scene of My Purest Heart For You reverses all of his character development. The movie is terrible, and a slap in the face to anyone who actually paid attention.

[MrTicTac]

spoiler warning already around somewhere? err well anyways.


*

*

yea its reversed, but thats wat makes it so good,, why should eva of all animes have the usual happy ending,, shinji was suppose to change finally after all that crap that has happened to him, misato saving him was a big impact on him, and seeing asuka's eva all destroyed

but when shinji had the choice to pick watever reality he wanted,, he picked asuka, then started to choke her, regret? anger? when he stopped choking asuka, she said something that was great, bah i cant remember it right now, but felt very fitting

he's not the usual character, thats why a lot hate him, think he's whiny etc but to some very interesting to watch

[Y]

Originally posted by: MrTicTac
spoiler warning already around somewhere? err well anyways.


*

*

yea its reversed, but thats wat makes it so good,, why should eva of all animes have the usual happy ending,, shinji was suppose to change finally after all that crap that has happened to him, misato saving him was a big impact on him, and seeing asuka's eva all destroyed

but when shinji had the choice to pick watever reality he wanted,, he picked asuka, then started to choke her, regret? anger? when he stopped choking asuka, she said something that was great, bah i cant remember it right now, but felt very fitting

he's not the usual character, thats why a lot hate him, think he's whiny etc but to some very interesting to watch

Yeah. The important part of the TV ending is that he got over all that shit. He left behind his isolation, his anxiety, everything, to live a new life. I don't find the EoE ending to fit with that, and I think what it leaves us with is worse.

[Lefty]

Alright on the added material of ep's 25 26. Some of the animation has been fixed, a few peices here and there are better, but they're a few extra tidbits add in. Like I said befoire it wasn't a whole lot of new stuff. just few things that ever so slightly change the the feel, and you only pick up on it if you watch carfully.

On the subject of the movies, Shinji choking asuka was the final release of all the hatred and sorrow he had left about all the rejection and confusion he had about the realtionship between them. Auska says somthing along the lines of digusting, or useless I don't remeber quite well.

[Tinks]

Easily the best series I have ever seen, and I dont think anything will ever top it
This along with Akira were some major influences on me back in the 90's and really got me into anime

I got this a few months, for only 15 dollars!
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL23/1367383/2602255/96789608.jpg

[XanBcoo]

How much were the cats?

I also think the last scene was a little odd. I still don't even understand why he chose to bring back only asuka - just to choke her (actually saying that, I don't blame him). Then again I've never really watched the movie with full attention.
The last thing Asuka says is supposedly "disgusting" or "I feel sick" or something like that. They never got the translation 100% accurate.

[basey44]

he didnt bring her back, only those who could imagin themselves in their own hearts could return to the normal world, which apparently was only shinji and asuka. asuka chose to come back her self

[Lefty]

Well the explination about that was that other people would eventually come back over time. just not right away. Shinji was somewhat responsible for bringing Auska back.

[Y]

Actually, it's none of the above. Asuka's body wasn't merged into the sea of LCL because she still has the wounds she received when totally synchronized with Unit 02. She probably missed Instrumentality completely by being shielded inside the Evangelion.

[?igma]

Shinji is ,besides a lot of female character in many anime, THÉ MOST ANNOYING mainchar THAT HAS EVER WALKED THE PLANE called anime
If only they had given a less-psychotic, suicidal, screaming like a bitch main-char , maybe I wouldve enjoyed the series then.

[Mae]

lol, people just love to hate Shinji... Actually most of the characters in Evangelion are pretty damaged and unlikable. None of them are heroic, but I liked how distinct and memorable they were, not just "oh, look, another funny side-kick, another silent/serious type, another masked mad-man." And it's not like they were just evil, everyone had redeeming and condemning traits, making them more interesting.

I really enjoyed this series when I first saw it. I hadn't seen a lot of anime and expected it to be a cheerful action series about saving the world with giant robots. People focus a lot on the end of the series, so you forget that the first eps are pretty normal. Some comedy, some action, there are some problems but you expect that the characters will overcome them like they always do... But then you start getting these odd scenes with Rei or with the units, and people make these disturbing comments and you're like, "Did they translate that right?" or "That couldn't have been what I thought it was, this is a kids' series." At first I shrugged the odd elements off, but then things get REALLY messed up.

I think if the whole series had just been bizarre and dark I wouldn't have been as impressed. By establishing the characters as typical heroes of an action series and then veering off into very different territory they make a really unique series. People have done similar things since then, but Evangelion is a classic, and I think it still holds up well today.

[XanBcoo]

My favorite parts are shinji's mind-trips. They're part of what makes the series unique I think. I can't think of another series that does that kind of thing as well as Eva did. Yeah, you've got the plot twists and revalations and stuff, but nowhere else is there a powerful and introspective monologue like in Eva.

I don't really hate shinji, he's just got problems. hehe.

[?igma]

you mean , the parts where he just keeps repeating a single sentence..thats what you call mindtripping ? But to be hounest , I hate that stupid penguin so much more , he is just..out of place somehow, he is the comical note to NGE that it shouldnt have and sure as hell doesnt need.

[Terracosmo]

?igma you suck. Penpen owns you, underling.

[?igma]

Yeah really, you conclude, that, for having an opinion about the crappy penguin, I suck . Seriously soon I'm a terrorist with a bomb ..and I SUCK THE BOMB ._>

[Terracosmo]

stfu terrorist! >: D

But seriously, Penpen rules. Rethink your ways!

[Tinks]

I can somewhat understand how people can complain about Shinji but at the same time I cant
The guy is really fucked up, so I dont understand how you can expect him to be Mr. Badass main character, he ejaculated into a unconcious girls hand for christ sake.

[XanBcoo]

To ?igma: yes, yes that is what I call mind tripping. 'cept he wasn't repeating a single sentence...I dunno where you got that idea.

Well, I guess you could say he doubles back on his thoughts a lot (I can't pilot eva because I'm worthless, no one loves me, and because no one loves me, that gives me no purpose other than to pilot eva), but it's a little deeper than that. Maybe a little.

And penpen does pwn.

[Crows_Kill]

The whole series is a reflection on the nervous breakdown Anno had while writtingthe show- it owrks like one giant writing expirement used as artistic therapy.

**Warning, major spoilers below- only read if you've watched the series and the movies*

After the succes gainax had with the original gunbuster and the nadia series, anno was under alot of pressure to make another mecha show. He wsa being pressured by studio execs to make another block buster, and was hounded day and night to produce something. (ever scene "pi" with all the suits chasing he hero? like that, for real).
After several fits and starts that never took shape or were shot down by the execs as being to high brow or esoteric, he had a nervous breakdown. He was commited to a japanese asylum for a few weeks. He doesnt talk much about it, but it did happen. I read an interview he did a decade ago where he talked about it and he said it was brought on by increasing sudio pressure, a rift he had with his parents, especialy his father, and a religious conflict he was having with his shinto up bringing and his interrest in the christian faith.
He never converted to christianity (i dont think he did anyway) but he did an absolutly obbsesive degree of research in to christion history and beliefs- he also noticed the inherent paradoxes and contradictions in the religeon and was intrigued.
He wrote almost the entire script for eva in a few weeks, almost 100% on his own. He then took the script for the first 3-4 episodes to the studio and pushed the mecha action adn fan service aspects of the show and it was quickly put in to production. By the time the truly dark and wierd aspects of the show were being animated, the show was a huge hit and the studio did not dare to cancel the show.
The story works on several levels- the most basic is the story of a neglected son desperate for attention and affection from his father, but utterly lacking in self confidence and obsessed with his own weaknesses. This can very easily be sean as the relationship anno had with his own father, and his own lack of confidence.
On a somewhat more abstract, but still on the obvious side, it's a story about humanities ability to defy and even challange the authority of god. Its about mankind choosing to ignore the wrathof god and foght back even, using all the cunning and guile we were given. The true irony being "we": arent truly the vision of man that god intended, but some bastardized off shoot born of sin and avaice (the children of lilith). Inherint in this is the contradictions and confusion of the christian faith, as seen by anno. It can be a very harsh and critical view of the christian faith, but ultimatly it is based on actual christian history and texts, all be it some what obscure ones, mostly the dead sea scrolls and the torra.
On an even more abstracted level, emphesized in the last 2 episodes, its the story of modern artistic creativity as it is subverted and abused by the modern studio and intertainment industry. You can see shinji as a direct parable fo anno himself, the conflicted and unconfident person that is some how forced to control the eva unit, which is symbolicly the show itself. All the various groups, seed, nerv, and the council, are all reflective of the various groups of studios, production firms, and corporations who ultimatly want to take this artistic show and use it for their own greed and power, all the while fighting with each other to control the show as a product or tool for their own angrandizement, while trying to screw everyone else out of the project. The last to episodes highlight this creative conflict between the artist, his creation, and how it can take on a life of its own. Ulitimatly I think this is the true story of eva. the story of how an artist chooses how and why to make his art, and how he can choose to change it as he sees fit, weather or not his studio, his co-workers, or even his fans, understand or enjoy it.

The first 2 movies just re-hash and re-tell the story. The third, the "real: ending everyone wanted, was annos last stand against his critics and his fans.
Think if it this way, in the serires, anno was shinji; rei was his creatvity, abused and used, burnt out and reserected by the powers that be again and again, asuka was what was left of his drive and strength, alot of flash and noise, but very little real effect, but occasionaly worth something; his father was, well, his father, and so forth...
The movie switched things though, the opening scene sets it all up. Asuka, in the hospital exsausted and uncincious. Shinji still barges in, and ogles her in her sleep, angry with here cause she wont respond to him- then she falls over exposing heself and shinji beets himself off to her unconcious form. In the movie, thin of Asuka as being anno- spent, used up, all but gone, but everyone want more out of him.her- she explodes, gives her all, and its stillnto enough for everyone. Shinji represents all the rabid fans of the show, they almost intentionaly ignore what the story is all about, just walking around whining and asking for more from everyone else, never satisfied with what they are given.
Rei becomes his rightieous fury, ultimatly destorying his creation, when all is done, all thats left is asuka, once again totaly used up, and Shinji, still pissed off he doesnt have waht he wants, taking out his frustration on the wounded asuka, and all she can do is lay ther and take it.
The third movie goes down in history as one of the single most mean spirited and nast films Ive ever seen. It anno;s way of saying "You want more? Fine- heres more! Hope you fucking choke on it!". It was meant to piss off and anoy the fans- they get theie "real" ending and he gets to wash his hands of eva.
The final scenes when the movie goes in to "mind fuck" mode, where couple of time during the heat of the exposition where anno flasshed to a seen of an empty movie theatre, says it all. Thats his impression of the audience- empty.

I think eva is a grea anime, a true work of art. It should be mandatory viewing for anyone seriously interested in becoming a profesional writer or artist. Its a testament to the will and ability if a great write and director to get what he wants from his producers all the while fightign them tooth and nail for creative control.

[Terracosmo]

That was amazingly interesting, to be honest, getting to know all those things made me like the series even more.

Very, very admirable... to just kick the audience in the face like that, and to open yourself fully and attach your personality to your work in such ways.

[Tinks]

Something all artists really should do when they make their own work
I know how he feels being an art student myself

[XanBcoo]

Crows_Kill once again wins the best post on thread award.

I've never really thought about the last two episodes like that before.

[Y]

Originally posted by: Crows_Kill
He never converted to christianity (i dont think he did anyway) but he did an absolutly obbsesive degree of research in to christion history and beliefs- he also noticed the inherent paradoxes and contradictions in the religeon and was intrigued.
On a somewhat more abstract, but still on the obvious side, it's a story about humanities ability to defy and even challange the authority of god. Its about mankind choosing to ignore the wrathof god and foght back even, using all the cunning and guile we were given. The true irony being "we": arent truly the vision of man that god intended, but some bastardized off shoot born of sin and avaice (the children of lilith). Inherint in this is the contradictions and confusion of the christian faith, as seen by anno. It can be a very harsh and critical view of the christian faith, but ultimatly it is based on actual christian history and texts, all be it some what obscure ones, mostly the dead sea scrolls and the torra.

There are many problems with your post, but this is just the foremost one.



Assistant Director Kazuya Tsurumaki:
There are a lot of giant robot shows in Japan, and we did want our story to have a religious theme to help distinguish us. Because Christianity is an uncommon religion in Japan we thought it would be mysterious. None of the staff who worked on Eva are Christians. There is no actual Christian meaning to the show, we just thought the visual symbols of Christianity look cool. If we had known the show would get distributed in the US and Europe we might have rethought that choice.

There is no religious meaning in Neon Genesis Evangelion by design, only what you put in there. Your hilarious overanalysis of the religious symbolism is however exactly what was intended by the creative team.

[JessiA]

Crows_Kill:
Good insight.. But I could swear I've read this exact review and insight before.

Try cleaning up your spelling and try submitting it to Shounen Jump or another anime-based fanzine. See how they respond to it.

[MrTicTac]

I dont think Anno is the type to want to "screw" others in the entertainment industry etc, sure it was hard to get funding etc back then, but i'm gonna guess japanese lifestyle is different and theyre not gonna go against their superiors/bosses with such evil reasons

and Anno got all these death threats and crap from fans (i think theres a scene in end of eva, showing a wall or something of death threats of the gainax building)

Anno stopped working on anime i think after eva, and worked on live dramas,, he was prolly pressured by his superiors to make another ending

gonna give a little *golf clap* for crow's post,, errr could use spell check

but gonna be low of u, if it was copied and pasted from someone else

[Lefty]

Crows-Kill post is the most perfect break down of Eva on almost all level's. I had a feeling that the series also represented the situation Anno was in during the creation and production of the series, but couldn't get it all to gether to make a educated observation. And Y the religous aspects are bletent and obvious not created by the crative team but by anno him slef as stated by Crow. The movies was anno's retelling of the crusifixtion and resurection, hell it was about his crusifixtion by the fans and studio's for the original ending of the series and his ressurection to finish it.

[Y]

Originally posted by: Lefty
Crows-Kill post is the most perfect break down of Eva on almost all level's. I had a feeling that the series also represented the situation Anno was in during the creation and production of the series, but couldn't get it all to gether to make a educated observation. And Y the religous aspects are bletent and obvious not created by the crative team but by anno him slef as stated by Crow. The movies was anno's retelling of the crusifixtion and resurection, hell it was about his crusifixtion by the fans and studio's for the original ending of the series and his ressurection to finish it.

No, there are no religious themes in Evangelion except the ones you put in there yourself.

Kazuya is the assistant director for the television show and HE directed Episode 25', Air, which you say supposedly has religious meaning. The symbols of religion are just trappings, it has no religious significance at all. Do you honestly think Crows_Kill knows more about what is in the show than the assistant director?

EDIT:

To elaborate, the fact that there are "religious" parallels is because the directors put in as much Christian symbology as possible to confuse the Japanese audience. If you put in ENOUGH symbols there will be many accidental parallels, but it really has no Christian meaning. I mean, what is the supposed significance of the 3rd Angel shooting crosses from its eyes? Nothing, unless you read into what isn't there. It just looks cool to animate.

[MrTicTac]

i bet if eva didnt have those religious names etc,, people wouldnt think its religious


and theres sooo many essays, papers on anime/evangelion (google it or something) if ur bored checki out some here:
link (http://www.corneredangel.com/amwess/acad_3.html)

[XanBcoo]

Of course any symbols and themes in an anime are going to be the ones that you infer yourself. That's literature, that's art.
I largely agree with Crows' analysis of the symbolism (mainly his "basic" and "abstract" level analysis), with the exception of the Christian Symbols (now that I think about it, I have read that quote from Kazuya before). If any of the christian symbology had any meaning behind them, I don't think they were intended. I believe it was as Y said. They're just a cool vehicle.

I also don't really see the Eva itself as a symbol for the entire series. Interesting parallel, but I don't think that's what was intended. Anno did what he wanted to do with the budget he had. I think the last two episodes represent what he wanted the viewer to get out of the show and are presented as such as a result of Gainax's low budget at that time. I don't think they appear as they do simply because they're a symbol for Anno's situation in creating the show.

[Aramis]

yeah well now that i think of it....everything in EVA can be connected to characters and events in christian myths...
how the first angel turns antarctic into an ocean of blood...and the "lance of longinus"...longinus is thought of as the name of the soldier/officer who executed jesus. could go on and on, here..

[?igma]

I agree, what they basically did was, "lets pull everything out of the bible that we can..and..tell them we never purposely chose it the way we make it..Since I'm on a brainrush anyways, BRILLIANT"


i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif

[masamuneehs]

I agree with the above. I also thought Eva's religious references were silly for the most part (cross shaped explosions? please!) but towards the end it did harp on some interesting ideas that were really at the core of the series. When a show uses religious innuendo just for the sake of trying to be stylish, that's horrible (Chrno Crusade) , but Eva also had plot that was deeply tied to religion.

[Crows_Kill]

I'm not going to belabor the onvious, or apologize for my spelling, the point is there even if the edge isnt.
I:m glad eva still gets attention and can cause fan speculation after all this time. A mark of a good show is how much people argue over it.
The symbolism in eva is both gross and subtle- the obvious include the names, cross shaped explsions, and various art designs and icons.
The subtle include the use of the system sepharoth from the torra, as shown in the opening credits and the final episodes, very subtle referenaces to the names and assosiations of the angels and their "area of infulence" as described in the torra, dead sea scrolls, and other aprocrphal works. It also shows in the choice of not going for the use of the more common names of angels most are familiar with. Its like the argument of whether or not to even call then angels when the show fitst aired- the translators for some of the fan subs went with the more literal senshii or saint/spirit- some groupd wouldnt even translate it as either, they left it as senshii- then anno openly stated he wanted them to be called "angels" in the official release, openly telling the producers he wanted that exact name used spacifcly for its christian meaning- non-human servants of god.
Even the designs of the evas owe to religious symbology- but not christion. They're based on demons from the hindu faith, one with one eye, one with four eyes, and one with a huge horn. harbingers of the apocylpse from the hindu perspective. Look it up.
Arguing eva doesnt have religious symbols or themes is like saying mactoss doesnt have aircraft or naruto have ninjas. You can debate it point for point, (no they are mecha! they're shinobis not ninjas!) but the truth is onvious to anyone that watches the show.
As I've said before, great show, great thread, and thanks for starting the topic y, but the point is moot. Every person who watches the show can and should make up their own mind what it means to them and what the symbols mean. Thats what good art is about. But as to the creators intent and reasoning, its a google search away.

edit

heres a good read on the subject and links to more info.

http://wwwsshe.murdoch.edu.au/.../broderick_review.html (http://wwwsshe.murdoch.edu.au/intersections/issue7/broderick_review.html)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion

http://dmoz.org/Arts/Animation..._Evangelion/Fan_Pages/ (http://dmoz.org/Arts/Animation/Anime/Titles/N/Neon_Genesis_Evangelion/Fan_Pages/)

edit to am edit

I found the article- it was in the june/summer 99 issue fo animefastique, dont have a scan, but if you can find it its a good source for inf o hte series

[MrTicTac]

kinda lazy ~__~ only read this linkl http://wwwsshe.murdoch.edu.au/.../broderick_review.html

but damn, now thats the way to write/make a paper/presentation *golf clap* for that broderick dude

[XanBcoo]

So the religious symbols exist- that's a given. What they mean is debatable (if they mean anything at all).

More important questions:
Why does the fourth angel look like a penis?
Why is Asuka such a b****?
Is pepen really God?

[Crows_Kill]

Of course penpen is god!
All hail the antarctic aquatic saviour!

[Mut]

Evanfaglion sucks. Watch GSD!

[XanBcoo]

stfu Mut.
What happened to TSR?

edit: does anyone know the date when Eva is showing on Adult Swim?

[masamuneehs]

Originally posted by: Mut@chi
Evanfaglion sucks. Watch GSD!

I really really hope you're joking.... Have YOU been watching GSD recently? It blows. It's animated very nicely and has some excellent battles, but everything else has been pretty shitty as of late in Destiny.

Watch Evangelion, a show that makes you think, rather than GSD, a show that tells you what to think.

EDIT: In response to Y's clarification, perhaps my comment is the inappropriate one then. But since I don't know quite what he was getting at I stick by my original statement.

[Y]

He was making a point that none of you were in the position to get. Don't worry.

EDIT:

Evangelion begins airing on Adult Swim on October 20th.

[aznimperialx]

I still don't know why there only showing Eva 10years later it was released.

[aznroyale]

cause its probaly still good for a lot of people

[Y]

Originally posted by: aznimperialx
I still don't know why there only showing Eva 10years later it was released.

Your grammar is horrible, but I think you're asking why it's being shown so long after release.

I don't know if you've actually watched Evangelion, but it's pretty self-evident why this wasn't aired. Anime wasn't nearly as popular, Cartoon Network wasn't nearly as zealous or powerful about acquiring new anime properties, and Evangelion's content would never have seen the light of day a decade ago.

[aznimperialx]

Originally posted by: Y


Originally posted by: aznimperialx
I still don't know why there only showing Eva 10years later it was released.

Your grammar is horrible, but I think you're asking why it's being shown so long after release.

I don't know if you've actually watched Evangelion, but it's pretty self-evident why this wasn't aired. Anime wasn't nearly as popular, Cartoon Network wasn't nearly as zealous or powerful about acquiring new anime properties, and Evangelion's content would never have seen the light of day a decade ago.

I have watch evangelion, i own the dvds. Although anime was not that popular in cartoon network, they did show the really high rating animes. And Evangelion will be on Adult Swim not cartoon network. Do you think after all these years, they will show evangelion's contents? Adult Swim will probably cut out the nude and really bloody voliences. Which will suck big time considering the Eva fights are great. If Evangelion was to be aired at Cartoon, think of all the editing they will do to it.

[Y]

Originally posted by: aznimperialx

I have watch evangelion, i own the dvds. Although anime was not that popular in cartoon network, they did show the really high rating animes. And Evangelion will be on Adult Swim not cartoon network. Do you think after all these years, they will show evangelion's contents? Adult Swim will probably cut out the nude and really bloody voliences. Which will suck big time considering the Eva fights are great. If Evangelion was to be aired at Cartoon, think of all the editing they will do to it.

Adult Swim didn't even exist a decade ago, and Adult Swim is a part of Cartoon Network. Also, no, I doubt it will be edited significantly besides the one or two nude scenes in the series itself.

[XanBcoo]

I was gonna say...there's only, like, 2 "nude" scenes in the entire series. And they cover everything up. The Rei scene in episode 5 will be interesting to see edited (if they edit it), and I don't think they will edit the scene after Misato has sex w/Kaji (they've had worse on AS)

In terms of the "bloody violences", there will not be *too* much editing going on here. Cartoon Network has come a long way from its days of editing anything and everything potentially offensive.

[LaZie]

I just started dling this and id have to say its great so far, only on ep 10.

[XanBcoo]

Bump again because Eva is on tonight and it rocks so hard.

[nests]

Im probably going to get chewed for this but did you guys like the ending of this anime, I liked it up to the last episodes where it just got way to emotional and they just basically kept repeating the same thing over and over. I still watch it though the action is cool

[XanBcoo]

Check out some of the earlier posts in this topic for some good discussion about the last two eps.

I myself loved them.

[AltonDS]

Although I couldn't find the Platinum edition in my country, I have bought the plain DVD and dl the director's cut edition (I NEEDED!!!) pathecici/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif Anyways, I have watched the serie over and over. I won't repeat what the other said at the previous posts. It was my first anime serie (first anime Akira) I remembered I cried the second time I finished the serie. Of course my bro (MORON HE IS) preferred GSD instead for NGE.i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif
I have watched GSD and Gundam SEED but they will never replace NGE from my heart. No other mecha anime will be first, except NGE(Ops sorry I got away).

Does anyone know whether the manga is finished or not?

[Munsu]

50% of Evangelion Movie Funds Raised (2005-11-28 17:36:30)
According to the Forbes article mentioned here, A.D. Vision has raised "about half of the $100 million to $120 million" needed to produce the Neon Genesis Evangelion live-action movie. [ discuss ]

http://www.fortune.com/fortune...,15935,1134596,00.html (http://www.fortune.com/fortune/print/0,15935,1134596,00.html)

[Darknodin]

more news on the NGE movie...good news...

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/691/691631p1.html

[Necromas]

I watched the whole series on Adult Swim, and then watched the movie, and I have to say, this is one of the best anime series I have ever seen. It was pretty hard to understand, which is porbably why so many people hated the ending, but once you do figure it out it is really something to behold.

[Yukimura]

I watched the last episode again last night on AS. It made a lot more sense to me now that i've seen End of Eva, so I agree that some of my old hate might not be as deserved as I thought.

[Munsu]

I don't know if this is old new or what, but here's some info on 4 new movies for Evangelion:



According to the October issue of Newtype (Japan) (On sale September 10), four new Evangelion movies are in the works. The four movies will include a prequel, a mid-series movie, a sequel and a "final" movie. The prequel movie is due out early summer 2007.

While the new story will be set during the same time frame as the original TV series, Newtype states that it will be an entirely new project, not be a remake or improvement of any sort. Newtype also mentions that viewers will not need to have already seen previous Evangelion material in order to understand and enjoy the new movies.

Hideaki Anno will write the scenario for the first movie and will be the general director and manager for the entire project. Kazuya Tsurumaki will direct the movies while Yoshiyuki Sadamoto will provide character designs and Ikuto Yamashita will provide mechanical designs. Shinji Higuchi will provide storyboards for the first movie.

Khara, a new studio that shares office space with Gainax, was recently set up and is seeking production staff to work on Anno's new project.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=9464

[Y]

This is probably the only good thread I ever posted, and there's some new Eva news, so bump.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9766/eva01tb5.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4573/eva02nv7.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8027/eva03es9.jpg

The first new Evangelion film, Evangelion 1: You Are (Not) Alone, launches September 1st in Japan. The promotional material indicates that it ends rougly in concordance with episode six of the series, or slightly less than a fourth of the way through the original storyline. Apparently (like the manga) Kaworu will appear earlier in the storyline and the chronology of some events will probably be affected. A new character (just one?) will be introduced in the second film. The followup film premieres in 2008 and apparently 3 and 4 are now scheduled to premiere concurrently (which pretty much means it will just be about a 2 and a half to 3-hour single production with an intermission).

The trailer is an almost shot-for-shot recreation of the scenes in question with some pretty nifty CGI effects (although if the Evas are full CGI I will probably be annoyed for a while). I'm always up for re-prettifying one of my favorite TV series ever, but I don't see how they're going to make this such a radically different production as to justify the budget for four feature films.

Also, the Utada Hikaru theme song is nowhere near as catchy as Cruel Angel Thesis, but she does a solid cover of Fly Me To The Moon.

Rebuild of Evangelion wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebuild_of_evangelion)
Trailer (YouTube version) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pfnqsEEEpo)
Trailer (downloadable version) (http://y.idumaea.com/evangelion_rebuild_trailer1.divx)