Neon Genesis Evangelion Highly recommended

Publisher
ADV
Director
Hideaki Anno
Production
GAINAX, NAS, TV Tokyo
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
1995

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Collection 0:5

By John Huxley
20th May 04

Neon Genesis Evangelion, perhaps one of the most influential anime in recent years, has finally been given a DVD release here in the UK. This fifth volume sees more secrets revealed and more mysteries answered as the series enters its latter half; a period of turmoil for the characters of Evangelion.

The first episode sees the sexual tensions of Shinji and Asuka reach culmination as the two share an awkward yet highly amusing kiss, after which Asuka is compelled to wash her mouth out, leaving Shinji feeling slightly rejected and probably even more confused. Does she like him? Does he like her? What's he going to do about it if he does? He'll find solace in his music, no doubt.

Regardless of my description, please don't confuse Evangelion with a romantic comedy like Maison Ikkoku. These prepubescent relationships are presented in a totally non-comic way; the humour is merely inherent from watching young, romantically inexperienced teenagers (black humour, granted).

Then again, the adults of Evangelion don't really have much luck when it comes to love, either. Misato, as was revealed during an earlier episode, was involved in an affair with the resident lady's man Kaji when they were both younger. Now she wholly regrets ever knowing the man who she sees as a womaniser and a liar. Unfortunately for her, the two are forced to work together at NERV which presents Kaji with the opportunity to seduce his former lover. Misato, at first unwilling, is soon unable to hide behind her grudges.

Kaji is a mysterious man who knows much more about the inner working of NERV than Misato has ever been told; later on during the first episode he shows her something which sheds new light on the second impact and reveals the evangelion's terrible secret. I'm not about to reveal such a pivotal spoiler, so feel free to look elsewhere if you need answers. I can say this: it's the kind of stuff that will have theologians frothing at the mouth with no end of biblical quotes, religious symbolism and evolutionary theories. If you're not partial to such nonsense, don't worry, you can happily ignore any reference to the bible - just change Adam to Billy and you'll be fine. Seriously, understanding everything Evangelion has to offer is not a requisite for enjoying it.

Besides, Evangelion has much more up its sleeve than a few well-placed crucifixes. The second episode on this disc gives Shinji's psyche a good once-over after he falls prey to a particularly bizarre Angel. Unable to escape its grasp, Shinji turns his Unit 01 to low power in hopes that he will be rescued before he runs out of time. As he passes in and out of consciousness he is afflicted by visions created by his fragile mind which cause him to question the recent events of his life. He's a troubled teenager, more troubled than most, and it's obvious that happenings outside the world of the evangelions and the Angels are effecting him to a greater degree than his exterior would like to admit. He can only confront these demons in his mind.

Shinji can't remain trapped in his thoughts forever because events in the real world are taking a turn for the worse. After the American arm of NERV is destroyed under mysterious circumstances, the new evangelion Unit 03 is flown to Tokyo-3 and a new pilot prepared. In a twist of irony, this new pilot is someone close to Shinji, although Misato won't reveal who for fear of his reaction. The unveiling of the new pilot will have to wait until the next volume, as the episode finishes before we find out for sure.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is just beginning to reach its prime. Having established the characters and the scenario, having witnessed Shinji fight countless battles to protect everyone he holds close, the real fun can finally begin. But be warned: Evangelion is not for those who enjoy sugarcoated fairytales where the hero saves the day. Everyone else can wait for the next volume with anticipation.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English, Spanish and Japanese audio, English subtitles, character bios, clean open/close, ADV previews

Release information: UK release date: 22nd September 2003, ADV

Notes: By now you should know what to expect from the Evangelion DVD package. Sadly there's no change here. Robust, yet far from the best DVD that ADV have ever produced.

-- John Huxley 20th May 04

Neon Genesis Evangelion Images