The time is 2015 A.D., and it has been more than a decade after the Second
Impact. The Second Impact is a planet-wide catastrophe that's said to have been caused
by a meteorite that hit the earth.
Mysterious beings known as Angels are attacking, and they can't be stopped
using conventional weapons.
Mankind's sole chance for survival lies in a humanoid fighting machine called
the Evangelion. But the Eva units can only be piloted by children born exactly
nine months after the Second Impact.
To top it off, every Angel that appears is much more advanced than its
predecessor, and the Evas can't defeat it using the same method twice. It's a
question of how long humanity can hold off the Angels... and ultimately, the
end of the world.
Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion 1995
Undoubtedly one of the most popular anime series in existence, Neon Genesis Evangelion is everything I've heard of and more. The plot is very powerful and gripping.
I couldn't stop watching as soon as I popped the first Neon Genesis Evangelion
DVD in the player. In the face of a whole lot of technological
impossibilities, the whole scenario exudes a very realistic feel that is
almost frightening.
Three 14-year old kids are assigned as the main pilots for the Eva units --
Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Sohryu.
Each one has his / her own personal issues to contend with while being
burdened with the task of saving humanity.
Shinji is plagued by insecurities, torn between his resentment for his father
and the desire to gain his approval. Rei does not value her own life. Asuka hides her true self behind a mask of arrogance and bravado.
The three complement each other perfectly -- Asuka is the fire to Rei's ice...
and Shinji is somewhere in between. Even as they are forced to mature quickly, the fact that they are still kids
manage to shine through.
There are funny instances that occur as a result, which provides some much
needed comic relief to the dark and depressing overall tone.
Characterization is at a very high level. Despite the large cast, there are no ornamental characters. Everyone has a distinct personality and purpose -- not just the Eva pilots.
Neon Genesis Evangelion anime art and animation are superb, and nothing short of first rate. Every aspect of a scene is drawn and composed perfectly.
The English dubbing is basically okay, but I disliked Shinji's and Asuka's
voices. Shinji sounds like a total wuss, and I could not stand Asuka's pronounciation
of "Eva". The Japanese voices should not be missed!
The ultra-versatile Megumi Ogata
(also Princess Emeraude in "Magic Knight Rayearth") is the voice of
Shinji, the ultra-popular Megumi Hayashibara
(also Faye Valentine in "Cowboy Bebop") is Rei, and Sailormoon herself
Kotono Mitsuishi plays the pilots' mentor Major Misato Katsuragi.
If there is a flaw anywhere in the series, I'd say it would have to be the
last two episodes. For starters they don't do anything except show a lot of flashbacks and text,
while trying to get into the whole existential philosophy deal.
You don't know what happens to everybody after all that either. Methinks you have to watch (Crunchyroll Neon Genesis Evangelion) the Eva movies "Death and Rebirth" and
"End of Evangelion" for any sense of closure.
A five-star anime series nonetheless, Evangelion gets you thinking about a lot
of what if's... and if you ponder long enough you may just feel a little
shiver down your spine.
Neon Genesis Evangelion | |
| Genre | Action, Avant Garde, Drama, Sci-Fi |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 26 |
| Status | Finished Airing |
| Aired | Oct 4, 1995 to Mar 27, 1996 |
| Producers | TV Tokyo, Kadokawa Shoten, Nihon Ad Systems, Audio Tanaka |
| Studio | Gainax, Tatsunoko Production |
| Rating | PG-13 - Teens 13 or older |
| Themes | Mecha, Psychological |
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