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S2X's Neon Genesis Evangelion Tv Review

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion tv Review

Shinji Ikari's father is the head of a company called NERV. This company uses giant mecha (called EVAs) to fight against an opposing threat to Earth: Angels.

Throughout the 26 episodes and two movies, Shinji teams up with other 14-year-olds his age: Rei Ayanami, the quiet blue-haired girl who pilots Eva 00; Asuka Langley Soryu, the fiery red-headed girl who pilots Eva 02; Kaworu Nagisa, the boy who pilots Eva 03; and Toji Suzuhara, who pilots Eva 04. They all fight to save the world day after day in an epic story with twists and turns throughout the series.

Story & Characters

Story? Ha! Probably best not to worry about any kind of story or mysteries in this series. That's not that they aren't intriguing, but simply because there is never any full explanation given to many elements of the plot. Nevertheless, everything about this anime makes it worth watching. The characters, the action, the mystery, the comedy , the tight plug suits and giant robots.
Basically, however, the story follows main character Shinji, who, as everyone already knows due to the popularity of the series, came to protect NERV, Tokyo and the World from monster things called Angels. Along the way he meets the rest of the cast and his father, whom he hasn't seen for years. Struggling with the new responsibility thrust upon him, Shinji, tries to cope and make new friends.
As each episode deals with the usual monster-of-the week, each more bizarre than the previous, it also gets deeply emotional. It becomes very easy to start caring for the characters and how they deal with their place in the story. Their different personalities also make for some amusing scenes. The timid Shinji, in-your-face Asuak and quiet Rei all have their moments and disagreements with each other but ultimately must work together. The background of each character is also revealed as the series progresses.

Rating: 7

Art

The animation is certainly of a high quality. Many scenes and backgrounds often contain intricate details, showing the elaborate effort and thought that went into creating a real world for the characters to exist in. At NERV headquarters, the various monitors and data screens constantly display detailed graphs and diagrams.
The character designs do not fall short either. The various female characters of Evangelion are considered by many as the sexiest of all anime. This is something particulary emphasized by the series' use of skin tight attire that Rei and Asuka must wear in nearly every episode. Nothing makes a girl's ass look hotter!
Still, this is an anime that is by now becoming to look dated and it's colours not a s vivid as some of today's anime.

Rating: 7

Sound

No pop songs or songs to sing to in this one. Aside from the title and ending tunes, the rest of the music is strictly orchestral. Changing in pace and epicness as the story dictates. There is even some creepy tracks at some points.
As for sound effects, the roar of the Eva's can certainly be considered terrifiying. However, many other sounds seem rather muted and not all that impressive, eventhough there is plenty of explosions and ocassional giant gun fire.
The voice acting seems flawless, each characters personality comes out in thier speech and tone of voice.

Rating: 6

Presentation

The easiest criticism to give Evangelion is that it is often unclear what is going on, who is working for whom, what are all those mysterious organizations and monsters. Even so, this is a series which can be enjoyed on the action, characters and comedy alone. Simply, everything that happens in the series is interesting to watch. Wanting to see what happens next and in what different way will the next monster be defeated in make it something to keep coming back to. The characters themselves are something to watch and just seeing them interact with each other is something to see. This is particularly true for Rei, who can not be compared to any other character in any other anime. Some would say she alone justifies watching the series. Although perhaps true, Rei's moments and screen time are far too short. Not surprising as the main character is Shinji. Still, every time Rei is on screen one must watch and see, she needs not say anything just be herself.
Of course, one of the main themes of Evangelion is giant robots. In other words, nothing new to anime. So, what separates this one from the rest? Simply, it’s epic scope and it’s characters. It tries to present a larger mystery behind everything. The viewers, however, are left to know only what the main characters know. For some, this might not be enough, but for others there is still delight to be had from following their daily lives, training and battles as well as how they interact with each other through out those events.

Rating: 9

Final Verdict

7.5000 (good)

Reviewed by S2X, Sep 04, 2005

Comments

  1. smilebit Sep 12, 2005

    it also gets deeply emotional? it gets annoying how much these characters whine. so very annoying. definitely one animation that i have a love hate relationship with. blech. why such an ending though?

  2. S2X Sep 14, 2005

    yea, ending sucks and the movie that follows it is even more bizarre

  3. StevOmaru Sep 23, 2005

    It seems to me that the comments on the sound make it sound like it should be more than a 6 out of 10 but sure the absence of pop songs and such can be a downer, the music is made to reflect on the situation and I dont think a pop song could fitr into the series very much anyway. Im not saying ur opinion is wrong im just saying for a 6 out of 10, ur giving more than enough credit for at least a 8 out of 10.

  4. ShrinkNerv4Eva Oct 29, 2005

    I don't understand why everyone gripes about the ending. Yeah it's done in n obtuse style, but if it's closely examined, it is understandable (kinda like when Neo talks to the Architect in Matrix: Reloaded). But the ending is so much more satisfactory character-wise than the movie.

    Why such the low grade on music? The orchestral pieces were refreshing and the ending song, the piano arrangement of "Cruel Angel's Thesis" was quite emotional.

  5. Andulien Nov 19, 2005

    yep the ending is not that bad ^^. you did a great review here. thx.
    I also wonder why you ave such a bad grade on the music?

  6. shoimi Jan 12, 2006

    i have to say there sure are a lot of different reveiws for this amine but hey what do i care i love this amine

  7. Sanisa Sep 22, 2009

    Thanks for the review!

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