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: Platinum Vol 1 (Eps 1-5)

By Joseph (Joe) Wood
14th Feb 05

Neon Genesis Evangelion is now regarded as an anime classic around the world. Every person who has watched the series and movies has there own interpretations on Eva's symbols, storylines and references. First shown on Japanese TV in October 1995 some called Eva 'just another super robot show'�, how wrong they were. A few years later a small relatively unknown American company who had released a number of OVAs with English language dubs bought the rights to release Eva in America (and later the UK). That company was called A.D.V. The fact that A.D.V is now one of the biggest companies in the American and UK markets is without a doubt due to Eva's success (and some other great acquisitions afterwards). I'm not here to talk about Evangelion though; I'm here to talk about Evangelion Platinum.

Released in Japan under the name 'Renewal'�, this project involved all 26 episodes of the series, the four directors cut episodes and the two movies were re-released. The images copied from the master film with newer technology making the picture clearer and crisp. The audio remixed into 5.1 surround sound with new background music, sound effects and amended dialogue. However due to distribution rights for the series and movies in the west belonging to two separate companies means 'Renewal'� could not be released over here in its full form. The Platinum� collection will contain all 26 episodes and the four directors cut episodes in seven volumes.

The first volume contains five episodes in English and Japanese (with subtitles) audio tracks. Both of which are improvements over the original versions. As mentioned before the image is a lot cleaner and sharper, there are also a number of special effect been added, one of which are several monitors with Shinji's face on being reflected in Gendo's glasses during their first meeting. The animation still holds up well compared to todays standards and these special effects help it keep up to date, and impressive. The 5.1 surround sound is amazing, even the disc menus are presented in 5.1 (listen to the opening animation in normal stereo and the in 5.1to see just haw different it is). The storytelling, plot and character development/design are just as great as ever (for more information on the story check out the reviews for the normal DVD versions on this site).

Extras include opening and closing animations, audio commentaries for episode one (featuring Matt Greenfield the English language director) and two (Featuring Matt Greenfield and Spike Spencer the English voice of Shinji) along with trailers. Also included (in the region one version) is a ten-page booklet with information about the show, and a NERV parking permit to stick on your car window (if you want to). The DVD comes in a normal DVD box (the artwork being based on the Japanese version) and a silver (platinum?) cardboard slipcase. The slipcase has Neon Genesis Evangelion� glossed on the front and spine, however after a few encounters with fingers or the side begins to rub off. The case is also fairly easy to damage but does look rather nice.

Is it worth getting Platinum� if you already own the series, is a question I asked myself. It was an extremely good marketing move by A.D.V to bring out the Evangelion Perfect Collection a few months before Evangelion Platinum volume one in the UK because it is worth getting as well (or instead of) especially if you have access to a 5.1 surround sound system. It's worth mentioning the another good marketing move was made by A.D.V in America where they released the first volume of Platinum on its own and then a few months later brought it out with an art box to hold the series in, whether they will try that in the UK is unknown but that is a heads up just in case.

If you don't already own any version of Eva start with Platinum, and if you do prepare to upgrade pattern blue.

-- Joseph (Joe) Wood 14th Feb 05

Neon Genesis Evangelion Images