On May 25, Glénat released the perfect edition of Neon Genesis Evangelion, a mythical and transgenerational series that could not leave you indifferent.
However, between the original animated series, the mangas, the films and the rebuild films, some may be disconcerted to start the Evangelion adventure, we offer you a return to this mythical series in order to make the most of the work of Hideaki Anno.
The birth of the series and films
It was in 1995 that Anno gave birth to his Neon Genesis Evangelion series with his famous studio Gainax, 26 episodes which began with the teenager Shinji as the main character. Throughout the story, we will find Rey Anami as well as Asuka Langley, of the same age, who will accompany him in his destiny to pilot Evangelions and save humanity from a catastrophic end.
Contrary to what one might think, Neon Evangelion is far from being a classic shonen, tackling sometimes complex themes such as depression, abandonment or parenthood, the work is intimately linked with the life of its author. , Hideaki Anno. In addition, it was also in 1995 that the animated series was adapted into a 14-volume manga with Sadamoto Yoshiyuki as mangaka. Note that the scenario diverges from the anime but allows it to be completed.
Following the end of its series, in 1997 the film Death and Rebirth was created based on a mix of the 25 episodes by adding previously unseen scenes. Thus, the film The End Of Evangelion will follow the step to conclude the series, considered by many fans as the true end of Neon Genesis Evangelion, like that of the anime. A combination of these 2 films will be named Revival of Evangelion. However, Hideaki Anno is not done with his saga and resumes the Rebuild films from 2009 named respectively 1.0 (You’re (not) alone) / 2.0 (You can (not) advance) / 3.0 (You can (not) ) redo) and ending with 3.0 +1.0 (Thrice upon a time) in 2021 on prime video. Since these films are a “revisit” of the Evangelion series with a change in the author’s mentality, they could be considered the final version of the license.
Where to start ? It is true that with all the works cited, one can feel overwhelmed and a bit lost when first discovering Neon Genesis Evangelion. Here is a chronology that can help you find your way around.
The 1995 Animated Series (26 episodes)
It is with her that the Evangelion adventure begins, her opening Cruel Angel thesis is one of the most famous animated openings in the world. Even in 2022, its animation does not lose its charm but the behavior of the characters as well as the slowness of some episodes could put off some.
Indeed, Shinji often suffers from the scenario and unlike the heroes of classic shonen, he is often in a state of passivity, in the grip of a terrible unhappiness. We can add to this the character of the heroine Asuka, who is very unpleasant and arrogant.
However, the series is the pillar of what the license is, it lays the foundations of the scenario but also of the essence of Neon Genesis Evangelion. On the other hand, it will be complicated to understand all of the “lore” during the first viewing and this will require more research or viewing of films such as “The end of Evangelion” or “Revival of Evangelion”. Although the endings are different, reading the manga helps and complements watching the series.
The movies of 1997
While the film “Death and Rebirth” sums up the 25 episodes of the series for us by including some unseen scenes, “The End of Evangelion” is considered by many fans to be the true finale of the series. It is true that episode 26, which marks the end of it, disconcerted more than one with its “psychedelic” passages and its difficult to understand sentences.
“The End of Evangelion” overcomes this problem by telling us a much more explicit end while taking up the elements of episode 26. We add the legendary soundtrack KOMM, SUSSER TOD whose lyrics complete the story and the feelings of Shinji , and we have a film that has touched the hearts of viewers until today. Attention, some scenes of this film are for an informed public.
The Rebuilds movies from 2009 to 2021
Neon Genesis Evangelion is the work of a lifetime, with the character of Shinji bearing a strong resemblance to its creator, Anno has long been plagued by terrible depression and suffering while designing his series and movies. It is with his series of 4 films Rebuild that he will say a final goodbye to his work.
During the first film, we find the same scenario from the beginning of the series but with a shinji, like its creator, less inclined to melancholy.
However, a few changes will cause a butterfly effect that will change the rest of the story and create a new one. Surely a Neon genesis Evangelion seen through the eyes of a “new” Hideaki Anno.
The character of Marie (which we can discover in the manga) will be added as well as new concepts of evangelions. These films can be viewed alone but it is advisable to have read the manga or the series to fully understand certain concepts and characters. The Rebuilds are nuggets of animation, perfectly mixing 2D with CGI, Anno proved to us that we could always trust him. It is with his last film on prime video “3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a time”, that he will finally let his life’s work come to an end with a magnificent tribute by his main character.
NB: We will notice a message written in French “I leave you” in the beginning of the last film.
The 1995 manga
There have been several Evangelion manga but here we will only talk about the main one adapted from the series by Sadamoto Yoshiyuki, the character designer of the anime. Published by Glénat in France, the manga adaptation will begin even before the animated series ends and will follow the same storyline. However, there will be additions with the character of Marie and the end will differ from that of the series.
It is important to read the manga as a complement to this one or the films to have additional elements on the lore of the license. The manga is in 14 volumes in simple version and 7 volumes in deluxe edition, the 1st volume of which will be released on May 25 in France.
A work that will not leave you indifferent.
The Neon Genesis Evangelion saga marks the spirits and remains timeless until it inspires our mangakas of today but also the whole world.
Now that you have the keys to discover it, don’t hesitate!
On February 25, Elden Ring, the latest flagship game from From Software studios, was released and all the fans were eager to discover its universe. Today, we offer you a parallel between Elden Ring and the manga Berserk, a major source of inspiration for Hidetaka Miyazaki!