Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion was released upon the world with little more than whimper. Nobody, not even the great intellects of studio GAINAX, could have predicted just how much this ill-promoted series would impact the world of anime and irrevocably change it for years to come. Not content with mere artistic genius and a never before seen take on the mecha genre, Neon Genesis Evangelion calls into question the very moral fibres that much of the modern world is based upon, and in an instant turns our beliefs of God and Angels into a story of mankind's ultimate battle for survival.
Set in the year 2015, 14 years after the horrific Second Impact that melted the polar ice caps and threw the human race into turmoil, Evangelion sees mankind face the greatest of foes; menacing biological titans known as Angels. These towering behemoths have begun their assault on the fortress city of Neo Tokyo 3, prompting the activation and subsequent use of mans last and only defence: the Evangelions. As Eva Unit 01 emerges from NERV's underground headquarters onto the streets of Neo Tokyo, the ultimate battle for survival commences. There can be only man or angel; there is no half way point, no compromise and no mercy as the battle for man's very existence begins with the tentative first steps of an Eva pilot; a terrified 14 year old boy.
A far cry from the likes of Mobile Suit Gundam, Evangelion is not for the faint of heart. Never before has mankind?s struggle against enemies of titanic proportions been quite so graphic or thought provoking. Indeed, many an intelligent person has been confounded at the complexity and true meaning of the Evangelion story. The series not only questions all forms of modern religion, but makes a point of highlighting man's great strength and great weakness: the desire for something more than just what we can see and touch; an urge to find more than just the tangible. To watch this series from start to finish and then move onto the subsequent movies: End of Evangelion and Death and Rebirth is a great undertaking. I can guarantee that it will require more than just one viewing.
Though the frown-inducing plot is clearly Eva's predominant strength, great mind must also be paid to the breathtaking animation and infallible mecha design that GAINAX has had the courtesy to bless us with. Unlike the clunky, erratic appearance and movement of most other mecha designs, Eva offers the viewer something entirely different. Something, you might say, that seems almost in the image of god, but created by man. The fluid motion of these living titans is something to behold and at the same time, another reason to buy this series on DVD for the ultimate viewing experience.
The vast cast of characters surrounding the main character, Shinji Ikari, is yet another draw to the Evangelion franchise. It is fair to say that it is each character's flaws and imperfections that makes them so intriguing to watch as they begin to grow together and, sad as it seems, fight their own inner battles. Without a doubt it is the relations between characters and their inner struggles that drive the Eva story from start to finish. For a pleasant change of pace, it is the machines that take a back seat to the humans this time around.
Add to all of the above a musical score that truly gets the heart pounding during action sequences and Evangelion is rounded off very nicely. A ground breaking piece of entertainment if ever there was one, Neon Genesis Evangelion is sure to have you scratching your head in awe and disbelief as the true events of the Second Impact are unfurled and the inhuman plans of special agency SEELE come to the fore. This is a must-buy anime and will remain as such for many years to come.
Set in the year 2015, 14 years after the horrific Second Impact that melted the polar ice caps and threw the human race into turmoil, Evangelion sees mankind face the greatest of foes; menacing biological titans known as Angels. These towering behemoths have begun their assault on the fortress city of Neo Tokyo 3, prompting the activation and subsequent use of mans last and only defence: the Evangelions. As Eva Unit 01 emerges from NERV's underground headquarters onto the streets of Neo Tokyo, the ultimate battle for survival commences. There can be only man or angel; there is no half way point, no compromise and no mercy as the battle for man's very existence begins with the tentative first steps of an Eva pilot; a terrified 14 year old boy.
A far cry from the likes of Mobile Suit Gundam, Evangelion is not for the faint of heart. Never before has mankind?s struggle against enemies of titanic proportions been quite so graphic or thought provoking. Indeed, many an intelligent person has been confounded at the complexity and true meaning of the Evangelion story. The series not only questions all forms of modern religion, but makes a point of highlighting man's great strength and great weakness: the desire for something more than just what we can see and touch; an urge to find more than just the tangible. To watch this series from start to finish and then move onto the subsequent movies: End of Evangelion and Death and Rebirth is a great undertaking. I can guarantee that it will require more than just one viewing.
Though the frown-inducing plot is clearly Eva's predominant strength, great mind must also be paid to the breathtaking animation and infallible mecha design that GAINAX has had the courtesy to bless us with. Unlike the clunky, erratic appearance and movement of most other mecha designs, Eva offers the viewer something entirely different. Something, you might say, that seems almost in the image of god, but created by man. The fluid motion of these living titans is something to behold and at the same time, another reason to buy this series on DVD for the ultimate viewing experience.
The vast cast of characters surrounding the main character, Shinji Ikari, is yet another draw to the Evangelion franchise. It is fair to say that it is each character's flaws and imperfections that makes them so intriguing to watch as they begin to grow together and, sad as it seems, fight their own inner battles. Without a doubt it is the relations between characters and their inner struggles that drive the Eva story from start to finish. For a pleasant change of pace, it is the machines that take a back seat to the humans this time around.
Add to all of the above a musical score that truly gets the heart pounding during action sequences and Evangelion is rounded off very nicely. A ground breaking piece of entertainment if ever there was one, Neon Genesis Evangelion is sure to have you scratching your head in awe and disbelief as the true events of the Second Impact are unfurled and the inhuman plans of special agency SEELE come to the fore. This is a must-buy anime and will remain as such for many years to come.