(1995)
26 episodes + 2 movies

Gainax Studio

Screenplay : Hideaki Anno, Akio Satsugawa Character designs : Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Music : Shiro Sagisu Producers : Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki

SUMMARY

Shinji Ikari arrives on the spot, he is convened by his father to be the new pilot of the EVA Unit 01. He will thus work for the NERV, an organization carried out by his father, Gendo; whom abandoned Shinji still very young. In his sides are a mysterious girl named Rei Ayanami and a young explosive german girl, Asuka Langley Sohryu. The first controls the EVA Unit 00, whereas the second lays out EVA Unit 02.

What are the EVAs? Gigantic robots semi-biological which can be controlled only by young particular teenagers. They have a great mission : to fight the "Angels", strange beings which caused the "Second Impact", a terrible explosion that almost destroyed the entire planet.

But all is only plots : Shinji's father pulls the strings, Rei represents more than one could imagine, Asuka is tormented, the EVAs are more than robots, the Second Impact hides an enormous secret...



REVIEW

To make a criticism of Evangelion is a good way to get the lightnings of many fans, I know it. But I will risk myself nevertheless...

This anime is dazzling : the drawings, the music, the action, the screenplay, the characters, the mysteries, in short, all is there. Evangelion is without any doubt the king of its kind and it gave birth to many derivatives : Brain Powered, Nadesico or Gasaraki, for example.

I do not believe to mislead by saying if you start to watch the first episodes, you are condemned to quickly watch the rest of the series!!! You try to understand the mysteries before having the answers, you discuss philosophy on the future of humanity and the search of power. It makes you become almost insane!

And it is undoubtedly the problem that happens at the end of the episodes (25-26) where no answers are given to the mysteries. For some, it's the crisis, for others, disappointment, but in a way, it's always a surprise. It is however necessary to understand one thing, Evangelion was addressed to Japanese teenagers. The author sought to transmit a message through the destiny of Shinji, but he decided to leave the remainder in the shade, as in our own reality where questions do not always find answers.

It is a beautiful approach but a little disappointing when one already made the final discovery of Shinji in its own life, well before Evangelion. Then, under the pressure of the fans, the studio cleared up some issues with the movie The End of Evangelion. Indeed, all is revealed... But at much too fast rhythm, if one compares with the episodes. So many things in such a small film.

In my humble opinion, by risking to upset some fans (of which I am), Evangelion made the error to approach the last two episodes in a philosophical way , whereas the remainder of the anime was more balanced.

In spite of that, Evangelion remains one anime that you must see! For the talent of its creation, but also to understand the before and after of Evangelion in the world of animation!



Japanese original voices with French subtitles and French version.



Myriel DesTorrents
myriel.destorrents@iquebec.com



Links to learn more about Neon Genesis Evangelion

http://www.evangelion.com (ENG)
http://nglight.free.fr/evangelion/generique/generique.htm (FR)

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