Neon Genesis Evangelion

This is pretty much my opinion of the NGE series:

I finished watching this series around Christmas break, purely to see what the whole "hype" was behind this series. I actually liked it more than I expected, but I already read so many fan's lamentations on the last two episodes, so basically I did see it coming and didn't expect much.

End of Evangelion wasn't much help either, as my favorite character (as well as pretty much everyone else), Misato...

Spoiler:

bit the dust. Do I really need spoilers for this? Well I guess just not about everyone has seen it yet, so for spoiler sakes, oh yeah, DARTH VADER AND SPIKE DIE

What did I like about this particular series by Gainax?

1) Animation: I must say I didn't expect too much in terms of quality animation forthis TV series, but I was quite impressed with the traditional hand drawn techniques employed throughout the series. I wasn't "blown away" with any of the visuals, but I was generally quite happy about the animation technique.

2) Characters: Perhaps this is somewhat iffy, but Evangelion has quite the different range of characters to keep it interesting. There's the "Miss Honor Student-Quiet-As-A-Mute" Rei and the "Hot-headed-Arrogant-Condescending" Asuka, which makes a few amusing social situations. Personally, I really didn't find Shinji that amiable at all - well I doubt many would find his quiet, reserved, but also somewhat timid approach - amiable.

3) Pacing: I find it quite rare for an anime series to have brief moments of "silence" or pauses (anime series which I have seen, that is). Such an example is when Shinji is going to leave on the train, but Misato races in her car to see him. There's a slight pause for about 5 seconds which the audience hears the sound of crickets and such. Another example includes Shinji lying in bed listening to his cassette tape. Some may find these momentary pauses as pointless, but I'm quite fond of them, actually.

Well…that’s pretty much it.

What I didn’t like?

1) Episodes 25& 26. I guess this is a “love it” or “hate it” part of the series. I don’t feel like beating over dead horses about this one, so much of my gripe would be the same as those in the “hate it” section. I'm pretty sure this thing called the "Internet" has had its share of flamewars over the debate as to whether these last two episodes were shit-filled-pieces-of-brainless-poo-that-wastes-everyone's-time or Anno's artistic expression to what Shinji experiences. I don't intend to open this up here.

2) Why does it seem that NERV is the most inept “special forces” arm of the UN? (Correct me if I’m wrong about the specifics about NERV), but it seems everytime there’s a crisis and one of the Angels attack, pretty much NERV just shuts right down. It seems that they get out of these pinches everytime thanks to Misato’s quick thinking. I’ve lost count of how many times Misa screams out along the lines of “ZOMG SYSTEM ISN’T RESPONDING!!!”.

Seeing as how much funding is pumped into this NERV organization, I’m surprised that much of the system is just thrown into chaos. Of course one may argue that these “Angel nemesis” are equipped with far greater alien technology which can override any Earthly devised defense initiative, which is why NERV seems incompetent to get any of their systems online and functioning nominally especially during times of crisis.

The second point isn’t really a point that makes me “not like” the series, but it’s just something that kept prompting me in the back of my head. Clearly though, point number one was the big issue I had with the series, not point number two.

In conclusion, I did find this series enjoyable (see picture), but it’s on the overrated side, seriously. Perhaps it’s the ending that perpetuates talk and discussion to this day and keeps the series “alive” for discussion sake, as Anno may have desired. Meh.

How ya doing, buddy?

On second thought, Fuck, I love EOE. I don't know why now. But even though it's a rather bizzare way to end the series, it somehow just falls all into place. In the original ending, (okay everyone probably knows this by now but what the hell), Shinji made the decision in his mind, but in EOE, we see the physical manifestations of his decision to be himself and not part of the LCL instrumentality project. So I guess everyone else just wanted to be in the "in group". Bleh. Okay. Yeah I did point out above that much of the cast is laid to waste which did kind of suck for my favorite characters, but perhaps the real point is that such an earth-shattering-ground-breaking process that transforms the world doesn't choose "favorites" to survive, besidse Shinji and Asuka.

"I feel terrible"

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Yuna

Spoiler:

Spoiler (highlight to read):
I simply loved that scene in EoE where Misato after saving Shinji's life grabs and kisses him.
There's no match better

Is it just me, or did I get quite horny after that scene?

FAP FAP FAP. LOLOLOL

Spoiler:

It's just me

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I should watch this again sometime.

SUPER SHAMPOO TIME, I WANT TO BANG MISATO!!!!:edgarrock: :

Misato blows up. I know REI does the crazy hibbie jibbies for a while, I swear it must be the shampoo

Most amazing jew boots

Rei (pretty much the rest of the girls in EVA, except Misato and the scientist chick, damn what is her name, oh yeah: Ritsuko Akagi) is/are anorexic.

A cup, pretty prease...

When Shinji "busted" into her apartment in episode 4 (if I remember correctly) to give her the homework notes, Rei standing there did not look hot.

Also after seeing Rei in EOE, I don't think I can "look" at her the same way with any hint of infatuation. Oh wait.

I was speaking idiomatically.

This was quite some time ago, a few years back where my friend has described to me the last two episodes and how he was severley disappointed with how it concluded. This was even before I ever heard of the NGE series. So when I watched the series, I sort of knew what to expect at the end. When I watched it, I wasn't so much "disappointed", rather, I was bored. I'll have to rewatch the series at least once more to pick up on the parts I missed or overlooked, as well as have a look at EOE again. I still don't quite have a full understanding of the "background" actors and characters such as SEELE, and Gendo's ultimate agenda.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I personally find the ending of the TV series more "mentally digestible" than EOE. I don't think I can look at Rei wth adorning eyes quite the same way after seeing her "new doo".

FELIPE NO

Yes Aku, I hear you, and I do share the same "interpretation" (or in some people's minds as the difinitive ending) that the TV series being what's going on inside Shinji's head, and EOE showing what's going on in the real world. Although, it looks like this time the mind seems a bit more happy than the real world.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?