D50's Anime hideout | home
Neon Genesis Evangelion
"One of Man's greatest enemies is Man himself."
Episodes Reviewed: 1-26 subbed; 5-8, 12-14 dubbed
Overall Grade: A+
I've heard it over and over again: you'll either really like it or really hate it. Chances are the only reason you'll hate it is the final two episodes. That don't count; my reviews are based on the entire series, not just the beginning, not just some parts in the middle, not just the ending, but the series in its entirety. Exceptions being, of course, if I haven't seen the entire series. So, NGE was a lot of fun with some great action sequences, plenty of character development, plenty of awe-inspiring somethings that can't be explained.
Storyline: 10
Storyline is too big to put up here. Just know that it's esceptionally original (dumbasses keep saying that anything involving mechs and isn't the original Mobile Suit Gundam isn't original; to you I say, wake up) and will always leave you wanting more. Chances are you won't even get more.
Type: Gee, I don't know.
The anime covers action, comedy, drama, mystery, suspense, and probably everything else there is with the exception of hentai.
Ch. Development: 10
There is an amazing amount of character development. In fact, this is probably the only anime I know of in which the ending is completely based on character development rather than story!! Now, this is one reason I like this, and perhaps not everyone appreciates it. Keep in mind, though, that many of them are perverts, or that some of them just have too many expectations. When you expect something, you just get hurt more when it doesn't happen. I'm guessing that's why people don't really like the ending. I totally appreciate it, though.
Sexuality: 6
During most of the episodes there are some times where the female characters show more skin or when the camera stays a little longer on legs or other stuff. Also, there are episodes 5, 9, and 20. Emphasis on episode 20.
Romance: 5.5
There are plenty of subtle clues, etc. toward romance, and of course there's the long-running romantic sub-plot between Misato and Kaji. That whole thing ends tragically with the (censors the end of the sentence).
Drama: 10
There are plenty of dramatic sequences and the kind of drama that doesn't rely on physical actions: the drama that goes on in the minds of the main characters.
Action: 7.4
There are plenty of action sequences against the Angels. Plenty of gore and stuff with brains and... eww I don't wanna think about it. Oh, but that brains stuff only happens in one or two episodes.
Comedy: 7
There is also plenty of comedy when it comes to the first episodes that introduce Asuka and the second and seventh episodes. After that there are only a few short comedic moments that almost always feature Shinji and Asuka.
Dub
Dub Voices: 3
Several voices just don't go with the characters. The voices of Misato, Rei, and Ritsuko all sound right, but Gendo doesn't sound quite right, Shinji sounds too "little boy-ish," Asuka sounds much harder to deal with, Toji's voice doesn't match his main persona, and Kensuke is way exaggerated. The strangest of these voices is Shinji's voice. It matches him some times, but it totally doesn't during other times, and I can't really imagine his voice being like that half the time when I read the manga. The dub voices vary from person to person. On the other hand, they don't sound like they're all on drugs like the voices on DBZ.
Dub Music: 9
The only piece of music changed (that I know of) is the change of the happy, speedy music during the "Next Episode" sequence to the more serious, crisis-type music used during the dramatic sequences before the angel theme is often used . I totally hate this switch.
Dub Lines: 6
The lines are really close to the original, but little corny jokes here and there that nearly destroy the mood or making Asuka spout off more German talk than she should just plain hurt.
So, are you ready? Are you ready for the historic (yeah, right) first review of Neon Genesis Evangelion by me, Otaku D50? Fine.
Neon Genesis Evangelion starts off with the introduction of Shinji Ikari. He is sent to Tokyo-3 to join an organization that his father (who abandoned him when he was a child) commands. Apparently, Shinji is the "Third Child," the third of selected children who can pilot the Evangelions, the huge robots that are the only defense against the Angels who threaten humankind. Forced to pilot against his own will (at least, that's what Shin-chan says), Shinji must learn to control his Eva and live wih Misato Katsuragi, who brings Shinji to NERV, his father's organization. Of course, Shinji isn't a full-time pilot (I mean, how unreal would that be?) and so he goes to school, makes friends, meets the other children pilots of Eva, and fights Angels as well as other challenges that don't involve Angels. NERV's agenda, however, isn't completely for fighting the Angels; it also is to complete the mysterious Human Instrumentality Project, which won't be revealed until episode 25. I can't really explain anything more than that, okay?
So, what do I think about it? NGE is an amazing anime that is like none other. Sure, it has the giant robots fighting monsters, but it isn't all that. In fact, only about 19 episodes out of the 26 even have an Angel. There seem to be three different types of episodes: Type 1 is the type where the main focus is defeating the Angel/fighting the Angel, Type 2 is the type that focuses on character development and Type 3 focuses on Shinji's psyche. Also, every single episode has at least one unanswered question. Here's a guide:
Ep. 1: Why/How did Ayanami suddenly appear and disappear to Shinji?
Ep. 2: Why does the Eva repair the armor when (censored spoilers)?
Ep. 3: Why didn't Shinji retreat, or why didn't Shinji do "that" in the first place?
Ep. 4: Why/How did Shinji manage to embarass himself several times in a short while?
And the questions continue on.
Still, the anime is good. Whether or not you'll like it doesn't matter; you have to watch it to really find out. You might be put off by the focus on character development, the human mind, and stuff that isn't action or sex (you pervs!!) but give it a chance. Even if you end up hating the anime, you'll still probably like the fact that you watched it.
That's My Story and I'm Sticking to it!
The Final two Episodes
So, you probably forgot that I said that I would have my opinion on the ending of Evangelion, but it's here, so deal.
*Caution: Major Spoiler Ahead*
Okay, so this all happens because of the Human Instrumentality Project. The HIP is revealed as the combination of the minds and souls of humans in order to fill a void that exists in all humans. It exists in order to complete all humans in a way. So it gives a different impression of reality in the minds of humans, reminds them of what they have done in the past, and asks why they are the way they are. It's also a form of forced evolution. Why does Gendo Ikari wish to do such a thing? I don't know, but I do know that at least the Human Instrumentality Project succeeds in completing Shinji Ikari and gives him reason to live. Unfortunately, that is the end; nothing else happens. I remember one site said that this was the end of the world, but I don't see it that way in my mind. I see it as completeing everyone and make them all come to terms with the past and live a normal life. What the true reality is really like, I don't know.
So, this has proven to be the largest and longest review ever made by me, and rightfully so. Whether or not NGE is deserving of it, it is so. It is that damn good or that damn bad. Like it or hate it, it's still a must see no matter what. My theory: If you are an otaku, you must watch this anime in order to form a true opinion. This serves as a test to see if you have what it takes to like anime for what it truly is- a different medium on which to tell a story. Whether you love it or hate it depends on your preference of the type of story rather than automatically like it because it is anime or because you are pressured.
That's my Story and I'm Sticking to it!
