Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion (pronounced Eh - van - geh - lee - on) is a 26-episode anime series created by Gainax, followed by a pair of movies: Death and Rebirth, and End of Evangelion (although Death and Rebirth is essentially a highly condensed re-edit of the series plus the first half of End of Evangelion). The two movies were subsequently rereleased as a single movie called Revival of Evangelion. It also spawned a manga, though its first volume was actually released prior to the airing of Evangelion's first episode. The manga is also currently still in production. Production of a live action version has also been announced. This is to be made by ADV Films (the company holding the world wide rights outside of Asia to the series), Gainax and Weta Workshop LtdA large deal of the merchadise for the series has an amusingly detached or hilarious non-relation to the dark nature of the series. It has also spawned various computer games, including Girlfriend Of Steel. While shoehorned into the original plot, the sequel to the game takes place in a complete alternate universe depicted in the final episode of the show. This later inspired a manga, which uses most of the Evangelion characters in a 'normal' schoolyard drama series.
The original Japanese title for the series is 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (Shinseiki Evangelion); literally "Gospel of the New Century". Evangelion, incidentally, is Greek for "good news", and is typically translated "gospel" in the Holy Bible.
When first aired in Japan at a time slot intended for teenagers, it was not especially popular. However, when aired again in a time slot more suitable for adults, its popularity exploded and rekindled many adults' interest in anime. Evangelion was, and continues to be, a strong influence on anime generally.
Warning: Plot details follow.
Although it starts as a regular mecha anime, the focus tends to shift from action to flashbacks and analysis of main characters.
The director, Hideaki Anno, probably according to his own experience, displays in this show plenty of mood disorders and emotional health problems, especially depression, trauma and separation anxiety disorder.
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2 Translation Note 3 Sub-topics 4 External links |
Evangelion takes place in the near future (2015 AD), fourteen years after the catastrophic Second Impact, and describes an expedition to Antarctica where scientists discover a large being of light, deemed by them as the first Angel, Adam. After they made contact with the angel, it self-destructed. This conflict caused a massive flood, which consumed a large portion of the Earth's population. The true nature of the second impact was concealed from the general public, who was led to believe that the devastation was the result of an asteroid impact.
In this conflict, mankind is represented by the mysterious organizations called NERV, GEHIRN (which started out as the investigation team for the Second Impact but became NERV later on), SEELE, and Marduk. NERV is in theory under the control of SEELE, but NERV has its own agenda, driven by its commander Gendou Ikari (father of Shinji Ikari: main character, whiner, and pilot of Evangelion Unit 01).
NERV carries out two tasks: to defend the Earth from Angel attack with a small number of Evangelions and the Human Instrumentality Project.
The Evangelions have the outward appearance of massive biomechanical robots and can be piloted only by 14 year old children. Pilots are selected by the Marduk Agency which is later discovered to be composed of about 108 ghost companies; pilots must have lost a mother or a very close loved one, which is then used as the soul of the Eva (the Eva also behaves like the soul inside it, often lashing out at old enemies). Only the designated pilot of an Eva can pilot it, due to the bond of the pilot's soul and the soul of the Eva; otherwise, any other person who tries to synchronize (simply put, to technically work as one mind) with the Eva will be refused. It is later revealed that the Evangelions are not really "robots" but rather living organisms.
The secret second task, the Human Instrumentality Project, intends to start an artificial evolution of mankind. Considering the religious implications of the term "evangelion", this event was said to bring about the salvation of mankind in the context of a newly created Earth.
Although some of the 'monsters' featured in the series are named for angels, the English term "Angel" is slightly misleading. The original Japanese term for the Angels are "Shito" which translates more to "Prophet" or "Messenger" than "Angel". However, ANGEL is written various times in the show.
The term "Gehirn" is German for "brain". "Seele" is the German term for "soul".
Background
Translation Note
Sub-topics
External links