Neon Genesis Evangelion

Name(s): Neon Genesis Evangelion / Shinseiki Evangelion / NGE / 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン
Format: TV series (26 episodes)
Studio(s): Gainax
Related: Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion / Rebuild of Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone / Rebuild of Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance
Published: Unknown date

Review

A lot of people go on about Neon Genesis Evangelion‘s (NGE) avant-garde narrative and great ambition, and deservedly so, but it couldn’t be catapulted into classic status without well-done traditional elements (most of the series is fairly “normal,” after all). It also improves remarkably over time, particularly with the induction of Asuka who adds an entirely new dynamic to the show and pulls the characters and tone out of an emotional rut.

What I’m saying is that even the first 20 episodes are great stuff, above average standard for both mecha and sci-fi anime at large. The Evangelions themselves have very interesting designs, a hybrid of biotechnology, real science, and unpredictable super robot abilities.

The melee combat is amazing to watch and must be the most underrated aspect of this franchise. The Evas (Eva 1 in particular) move completely organically like they should, and the combat can simply get downright primal at times, especially in the “berserk” scenes.

MAL Rating Explanation

It’s kind of against my policy, but I’m rating NGE a 9 because I’m including End of Evangelion. Without it, it’s an 8. Still pretty good, but EoE fills in some very necessary holes and is a much more satisfying conclusion that doesn’t abandon plot threads the series got us so interested in. The series isn’t perfect overall but it almost doesn’t matter. It’s somewhat smug in its intelligence at parts (the overt psycho-analysis in the series finale), but those things it’s smug about rightfully deserve acknowledgment from its audience.

Schick x Evangelion

AKA: Higesori ni Tsubasawokudasai-hen / Shave Impact Hatsudou Jouken-hen / Schick × エヴァンゲリオン
Format: Commercial (2 1-minute episodes)
Studio(s): Khara
Related: Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)
Original Publication: N/A (unknown)

Great material for hating yourself.

Is there any media property which has its content and merchandising be more incongruent than Evangelion? Not only is shit like this insultingly stupid, it’s also a blatant misrepresentation of the source material to the point of being an outright lie. And everyone buys this shit anyway.

What the fuck? How do you be an Evangelion fan, enough of one to buy merchandise, but be swayed by an advertising pitch that has absolutely nothing to do with it? Where does the spirit of the property come into play here? Who is this for? What is the fucking point? It’s genuinely more confusing than any themes or symbolism in the actual anime.