The "Freeola Customer Forum" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
I've been banging on about this anime series for ages in other people's posts, so I've finally decided to do my own tribute to the great series that is Neon Genesis Evangelion in the hope that others find this amazing series.
Evangelion - The Story
----------------------
It all starts with a boy. Shinji Ikari to be precise. The year is 2015 and a large proportion of the Earth has been wiped out by a huge nucular explosion named ‘Second Impact’. Survivors from Japan have been kept in a newly built Tokyo while others live in the ruins of the old city. Shinji is waiting to meet a stranger and before he knows it he is caught in a cross-fire between the United Nations forces and a large creature, part of a group of aliens which have been called 'Angels'.
So far so anime, but the story takes many turns from this beginning and after a call from his father, who he hasn’t seen since he ran away from home at an early age, Shinji soon finds himself enlisted in an agency called NERV. NERV is dedicated to fighting these Angels and Shinji finds that he is set to become one of three children chosen to pilot the only force that can defeat the Angels, the Eva units.
What makes these creatures different from the usual Japanese mechs that proliferate the thousands of other animated series is that the creatures are part biological and it is only by mixing the mind of the children with the body and soul of the Evangelion units that they finally work. There is something special about the children used, they are the only ones who can pilot the Evas and soon it becomes clear that even they have problems connecting to the living machines.
As the story progresses, more and more questions are thrown up to the viewer. Who are the Angels, why is NERV so shady and what do they really know about the second impact, why is the first child, Rei, so strange and solitary? Shinji’s inability to fit in with anyone or feel part of something is an integral part of the story too, as is his attempt to understand or even speak with his father. He is a boy with a habit of running away from his problems and finds it hard to trust anyone.
It would be so easy to create a series about a group of large machines fighting a group of odd aliens, but somehow Neon Genesis Evangelion is beyond all this. It focuses on the characters, who all have their problems getting on with each other, as well as the huge problem of fighting these aliens.
Mixed with this is the emerging story of how second impact actually happened and what these angels really are. The series calls on the origins of Adam, Eve and Lillith from the Old Testament and also parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the teachings of the Eastern religions. Shinji is not a typical hero and doesn’t have any of the answers in saving the lives of his friends or anyone else, he’s not an anti-hero either, but just a boy who is confused and growing in a world that doesn’t make sense to him. The other two children are just as stunned with their huge responsibility, but react in different ways to it.
The powerful imagery may affend some people and affect others in equal amount. It is so well thought out that many of the elements are deeply affecting and the religious ideas are incorporated well, making the whole series much more than simply an action based ‘us against them’ story. The music ranges from heavy pop inspired numbers to classical tunes then all the way back to the end theme ‘fly me to the moon’, an old song which seems to have a chilling weirdness when used in the context of this series.
I should warn you that there are moments of nudity, not unknown in many Japanese series. Some of these are justified by the situation and others are used for amusement and to show that the main character is still coming to terms with his own sexuality while still in adolescence.
Feelings
--------
What makes this so powerful for me?
The symbolism and the way that western religion is so deeply embedded in the story is intriguing. It adds a completely different slant on the creation of the universe from a Christian perspective and you can go as deep as you like into the meaning behind each of the characters and events. At every turn you will find a reference to some biblical event or text.
Not only does it have a deep, brooding feel that wells up as the story progresses, but the characters are all so fleshed out and interesting that you soon believe you’ve known them for ever. The writing should be commended for focusing not only on Shinji, but really giving us more of an insight in to what drives the other people around him and how they each cope with their losses, feelings and the events unfolding in front of them.
The story left a mark on me, it forced me to think about values and the way we think about life. It also forced me to re-watch the whole series again and now I find myself eager to do the same for a third time after getting it on DVD. I am not obsessed, but highly intrigued by the whole of this amazing series and have been seeking out more information through websites and other fans.
The series is really big in Japan, even now 5 years after release. Most Japanese teenagers have heard and watched the series and many adults have an obsession with it. It has also led to a massive open air concert of the original soundtrack! The western world hasn’t been hit quite so hard, but many model shops now stock Eva models and there are a growing army of fans in the UK and USA.
Movies
------
When the original 26 episode series had finished, the ending wasn’t exactly what the Japanese fans wanted. It doesn’t really answer a lot of the questions raised in the series and they drove the creators wild for a solution to this. The writers obliged, but decided that the final two episodes would be presented as films for the big screen. These became Death and Rebirth and End of Evangelion. Death revisited the series story from the viewpoint of each of the characters, while Rebirth added to the ending, but left the future uncertain. The End of Evangelion followed on from this and explained many of the questions posed before finally ending with a spectacular finish which blew many people away.
Formats
-------
The original series is available in the UK on video (from AD Vision) where it is shown in English. MVC is just one of the stockists.
I would recommend the DVDs which give a choice of English or Japanese, plus character bios and other extras. Unfortunately, the English language ones are only available in the US, either individually or in an 8 disc box set called the Perfect Evangelion. Death and Rebirth will be available for the first time in English on DVD on 30th July 2002, again in the USA, while the End of Evangelion will be released in September 2002.
More Information
----------------
To get more about the series, I would recommend the following sites.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/Ritsuko/666-protector/home.htm
http://www.lwhy.clara.net/nge/
For information on the two movies, and a lovely trailer, see the site below:
http://www.deathandrebirth.com/
Lastly, the series will be airing on the Sci Fi channel (Sky and Cable) from June after the 10pm movies.
Evangelion - The Story
----------------------
It all starts with a boy. Shinji Ikari to be precise. The year is 2015 and a large proportion of the Earth has been wiped out by a huge nucular explosion named ‘Second Impact’. Survivors from Japan have been kept in a newly built Tokyo while others live in the ruins of the old city. Shinji is waiting to meet a stranger and before he knows it he is caught in a cross-fire between the United Nations forces and a large creature, part of a group of aliens which have been called 'Angels'.
So far so anime, but the story takes many turns from this beginning and after a call from his father, who he hasn’t seen since he ran away from home at an early age, Shinji soon finds himself enlisted in an agency called NERV. NERV is dedicated to fighting these Angels and Shinji finds that he is set to become one of three children chosen to pilot the only force that can defeat the Angels, the Eva units.
What makes these creatures different from the usual Japanese mechs that proliferate the thousands of other animated series is that the creatures are part biological and it is only by mixing the mind of the children with the body and soul of the Evangelion units that they finally work. There is something special about the children used, they are the only ones who can pilot the Evas and soon it becomes clear that even they have problems connecting to the living machines.
As the story progresses, more and more questions are thrown up to the viewer. Who are the Angels, why is NERV so shady and what do they really know about the second impact, why is the first child, Rei, so strange and solitary? Shinji’s inability to fit in with anyone or feel part of something is an integral part of the story too, as is his attempt to understand or even speak with his father. He is a boy with a habit of running away from his problems and finds it hard to trust anyone.
It would be so easy to create a series about a group of large machines fighting a group of odd aliens, but somehow Neon Genesis Evangelion is beyond all this. It focuses on the characters, who all have their problems getting on with each other, as well as the huge problem of fighting these aliens.
Mixed with this is the emerging story of how second impact actually happened and what these angels really are. The series calls on the origins of Adam, Eve and Lillith from the Old Testament and also parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the teachings of the Eastern religions. Shinji is not a typical hero and doesn’t have any of the answers in saving the lives of his friends or anyone else, he’s not an anti-hero either, but just a boy who is confused and growing in a world that doesn’t make sense to him. The other two children are just as stunned with their huge responsibility, but react in different ways to it.
The powerful imagery may affend some people and affect others in equal amount. It is so well thought out that many of the elements are deeply affecting and the religious ideas are incorporated well, making the whole series much more than simply an action based ‘us against them’ story. The music ranges from heavy pop inspired numbers to classical tunes then all the way back to the end theme ‘fly me to the moon’, an old song which seems to have a chilling weirdness when used in the context of this series.
I should warn you that there are moments of nudity, not unknown in many Japanese series. Some of these are justified by the situation and others are used for amusement and to show that the main character is still coming to terms with his own sexuality while still in adolescence.
Feelings
--------
What makes this so powerful for me?
The symbolism and the way that western religion is so deeply embedded in the story is intriguing. It adds a completely different slant on the creation of the universe from a Christian perspective and you can go as deep as you like into the meaning behind each of the characters and events. At every turn you will find a reference to some biblical event or text.
Not only does it have a deep, brooding feel that wells up as the story progresses, but the characters are all so fleshed out and interesting that you soon believe you’ve known them for ever. The writing should be commended for focusing not only on Shinji, but really giving us more of an insight in to what drives the other people around him and how they each cope with their losses, feelings and the events unfolding in front of them.
The story left a mark on me, it forced me to think about values and the way we think about life. It also forced me to re-watch the whole series again and now I find myself eager to do the same for a third time after getting it on DVD. I am not obsessed, but highly intrigued by the whole of this amazing series and have been seeking out more information through websites and other fans.
The series is really big in Japan, even now 5 years after release. Most Japanese teenagers have heard and watched the series and many adults have an obsession with it. It has also led to a massive open air concert of the original soundtrack! The western world hasn’t been hit quite so hard, but many model shops now stock Eva models and there are a growing army of fans in the UK and USA.
Movies
------
When the original 26 episode series had finished, the ending wasn’t exactly what the Japanese fans wanted. It doesn’t really answer a lot of the questions raised in the series and they drove the creators wild for a solution to this. The writers obliged, but decided that the final two episodes would be presented as films for the big screen. These became Death and Rebirth and End of Evangelion. Death revisited the series story from the viewpoint of each of the characters, while Rebirth added to the ending, but left the future uncertain. The End of Evangelion followed on from this and explained many of the questions posed before finally ending with a spectacular finish which blew many people away.
Formats
-------
The original series is available in the UK on video (from AD Vision) where it is shown in English. MVC is just one of the stockists.
I would recommend the DVDs which give a choice of English or Japanese, plus character bios and other extras. Unfortunately, the English language ones are only available in the US, either individually or in an 8 disc box set called the Perfect Evangelion. Death and Rebirth will be available for the first time in English on DVD on 30th July 2002, again in the USA, while the End of Evangelion will be released in September 2002.
More Information
----------------
To get more about the series, I would recommend the following sites.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/Ritsuko/666-protector/home.htm
http://www.lwhy.clara.net/nge/
For information on the two movies, and a lovely trailer, see the site below:
http://www.deathandrebirth.com/
Lastly, the series will be airing on the Sci Fi channel (Sky and Cable) from June after the 10pm movies.
They're also available in Manga books - My sister has got 1-6 of them and although I haven't read them she also 'bangs on' about how good they are.
I've been banging on about this anime series for ages in other people's posts, so I've finally decided to do my own tribute to the great series that is Neon Genesis Evangelion in the hope that others find this amazing series.
Evangelion - The Story
----------------------
It all starts with a boy. Shinji Ikari to be precise. The year is 2015 and a large proportion of the Earth has been wiped out by a huge nucular explosion named ‘Second Impact’. Survivors from Japan have been kept in a newly built Tokyo while others live in the ruins of the old city. Shinji is waiting to meet a stranger and before he knows it he is caught in a cross-fire between the United Nations forces and a large creature, part of a group of aliens which have been called 'Angels'.
So far so anime, but the story takes many turns from this beginning and after a call from his father, who he hasn’t seen since he ran away from home at an early age, Shinji soon finds himself enlisted in an agency called NERV. NERV is dedicated to fighting these Angels and Shinji finds that he is set to become one of three children chosen to pilot the only force that can defeat the Angels, the Eva units.
What makes these creatures different from the usual Japanese mechs that proliferate the thousands of other animated series is that the creatures are part biological and it is only by mixing the mind of the children with the body and soul of the Evangelion units that they finally work. There is something special about the children used, they are the only ones who can pilot the Evas and soon it becomes clear that even they have problems connecting to the living machines.
As the story progresses, more and more questions are thrown up to the viewer. Who are the Angels, why is NERV so shady and what do they really know about the second impact, why is the first child, Rei, so strange and solitary? Shinji’s inability to fit in with anyone or feel part of something is an integral part of the story too, as is his attempt to understand or even speak with his father. He is a boy with a habit of running away from his problems and finds it hard to trust anyone.
It would be so easy to create a series about a group of large machines fighting a group of odd aliens, but somehow Neon Genesis Evangelion is beyond all this. It focuses on the characters, who all have their problems getting on with each other, as well as the huge problem of fighting these aliens.
Mixed with this is the emerging story of how second impact actually happened and what these angels really are. The series calls on the origins of Adam, Eve and Lillith from the Old Testament and also parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the teachings of the Eastern religions. Shinji is not a typical hero and doesn’t have any of the answers in saving the lives of his friends or anyone else, he’s not an anti-hero either, but just a boy who is confused and growing in a world that doesn’t make sense to him. The other two children are just as stunned with their huge responsibility, but react in different ways to it.
The powerful imagery may affend some people and affect others in equal amount. It is so well thought out that many of the elements are deeply affecting and the religious ideas are incorporated well, making the whole series much more than simply an action based ‘us against them’ story. The music ranges from heavy pop inspired numbers to classical tunes then all the way back to the end theme ‘fly me to the moon’, an old song which seems to have a chilling weirdness when used in the context of this series.
I should warn you that there are moments of nudity, not unknown in many Japanese series. Some of these are justified by the situation and others are used for amusement and to show that the main character is still coming to terms with his own sexuality while still in adolescence.
Feelings
--------
What makes this so powerful for me?
The symbolism and the way that western religion is so deeply embedded in the story is intriguing. It adds a completely different slant on the creation of the universe from a Christian perspective and you can go as deep as you like into the meaning behind each of the characters and events. At every turn you will find a reference to some biblical event or text.
Not only does it have a deep, brooding feel that wells up as the story progresses, but the characters are all so fleshed out and interesting that you soon believe you’ve known them for ever. The writing should be commended for focusing not only on Shinji, but really giving us more of an insight in to what drives the other people around him and how they each cope with their losses, feelings and the events unfolding in front of them.
The story left a mark on me, it forced me to think about values and the way we think about life. It also forced me to re-watch the whole series again and now I find myself eager to do the same for a third time after getting it on DVD. I am not obsessed, but highly intrigued by the whole of this amazing series and have been seeking out more information through websites and other fans.
The series is really big in Japan, even now 5 years after release. Most Japanese teenagers have heard and watched the series and many adults have an obsession with it. It has also led to a massive open air concert of the original soundtrack! The western world hasn’t been hit quite so hard, but many model shops now stock Eva models and there are a growing army of fans in the UK and USA.
Movies
------
When the original 26 episode series had finished, the ending wasn’t exactly what the Japanese fans wanted. It doesn’t really answer a lot of the questions raised in the series and they drove the creators wild for a solution to this. The writers obliged, but decided that the final two episodes would be presented as films for the big screen. These became Death and Rebirth and End of Evangelion. Death revisited the series story from the viewpoint of each of the characters, while Rebirth added to the ending, but left the future uncertain. The End of Evangelion followed on from this and explained many of the questions posed before finally ending with a spectacular finish which blew many people away.
Formats
-------
The original series is available in the UK on video (from AD Vision) where it is shown in English. MVC is just one of the stockists.
I would recommend the DVDs which give a choice of English or Japanese, plus character bios and other extras. Unfortunately, the English language ones are only available in the US, either individually or in an 8 disc box set called the Perfect Evangelion. Death and Rebirth will be available for the first time in English on DVD on 30th July 2002, again in the USA, while the End of Evangelion will be released in September 2002.
More Information
----------------
To get more about the series, I would recommend the following sites.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/Ritsuko/666-protector/home.htm
http://www.lwhy.clara.net/nge/
For information on the two movies, and a lovely trailer, see the site below:
http://www.deathandrebirth.com/
Lastly, the series will be airing on the Sci Fi channel (Sky and Cable) from June after the 10pm movies.
Evangelion - The Story
----------------------
It all starts with a boy. Shinji Ikari to be precise. The year is 2015 and a large proportion of the Earth has been wiped out by a huge nucular explosion named ‘Second Impact’. Survivors from Japan have been kept in a newly built Tokyo while others live in the ruins of the old city. Shinji is waiting to meet a stranger and before he knows it he is caught in a cross-fire between the United Nations forces and a large creature, part of a group of aliens which have been called 'Angels'.
So far so anime, but the story takes many turns from this beginning and after a call from his father, who he hasn’t seen since he ran away from home at an early age, Shinji soon finds himself enlisted in an agency called NERV. NERV is dedicated to fighting these Angels and Shinji finds that he is set to become one of three children chosen to pilot the only force that can defeat the Angels, the Eva units.
What makes these creatures different from the usual Japanese mechs that proliferate the thousands of other animated series is that the creatures are part biological and it is only by mixing the mind of the children with the body and soul of the Evangelion units that they finally work. There is something special about the children used, they are the only ones who can pilot the Evas and soon it becomes clear that even they have problems connecting to the living machines.
As the story progresses, more and more questions are thrown up to the viewer. Who are the Angels, why is NERV so shady and what do they really know about the second impact, why is the first child, Rei, so strange and solitary? Shinji’s inability to fit in with anyone or feel part of something is an integral part of the story too, as is his attempt to understand or even speak with his father. He is a boy with a habit of running away from his problems and finds it hard to trust anyone.
It would be so easy to create a series about a group of large machines fighting a group of odd aliens, but somehow Neon Genesis Evangelion is beyond all this. It focuses on the characters, who all have their problems getting on with each other, as well as the huge problem of fighting these aliens.
Mixed with this is the emerging story of how second impact actually happened and what these angels really are. The series calls on the origins of Adam, Eve and Lillith from the Old Testament and also parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the teachings of the Eastern religions. Shinji is not a typical hero and doesn’t have any of the answers in saving the lives of his friends or anyone else, he’s not an anti-hero either, but just a boy who is confused and growing in a world that doesn’t make sense to him. The other two children are just as stunned with their huge responsibility, but react in different ways to it.
The powerful imagery may affend some people and affect others in equal amount. It is so well thought out that many of the elements are deeply affecting and the religious ideas are incorporated well, making the whole series much more than simply an action based ‘us against them’ story. The music ranges from heavy pop inspired numbers to classical tunes then all the way back to the end theme ‘fly me to the moon’, an old song which seems to have a chilling weirdness when used in the context of this series.
I should warn you that there are moments of nudity, not unknown in many Japanese series. Some of these are justified by the situation and others are used for amusement and to show that the main character is still coming to terms with his own sexuality while still in adolescence.
Feelings
--------
What makes this so powerful for me?
The symbolism and the way that western religion is so deeply embedded in the story is intriguing. It adds a completely different slant on the creation of the universe from a Christian perspective and you can go as deep as you like into the meaning behind each of the characters and events. At every turn you will find a reference to some biblical event or text.
Not only does it have a deep, brooding feel that wells up as the story progresses, but the characters are all so fleshed out and interesting that you soon believe you’ve known them for ever. The writing should be commended for focusing not only on Shinji, but really giving us more of an insight in to what drives the other people around him and how they each cope with their losses, feelings and the events unfolding in front of them.
The story left a mark on me, it forced me to think about values and the way we think about life. It also forced me to re-watch the whole series again and now I find myself eager to do the same for a third time after getting it on DVD. I am not obsessed, but highly intrigued by the whole of this amazing series and have been seeking out more information through websites and other fans.
The series is really big in Japan, even now 5 years after release. Most Japanese teenagers have heard and watched the series and many adults have an obsession with it. It has also led to a massive open air concert of the original soundtrack! The western world hasn’t been hit quite so hard, but many model shops now stock Eva models and there are a growing army of fans in the UK and USA.
Movies
------
When the original 26 episode series had finished, the ending wasn’t exactly what the Japanese fans wanted. It doesn’t really answer a lot of the questions raised in the series and they drove the creators wild for a solution to this. The writers obliged, but decided that the final two episodes would be presented as films for the big screen. These became Death and Rebirth and End of Evangelion. Death revisited the series story from the viewpoint of each of the characters, while Rebirth added to the ending, but left the future uncertain. The End of Evangelion followed on from this and explained many of the questions posed before finally ending with a spectacular finish which blew many people away.
Formats
-------
The original series is available in the UK on video (from AD Vision) where it is shown in English. MVC is just one of the stockists.
I would recommend the DVDs which give a choice of English or Japanese, plus character bios and other extras. Unfortunately, the English language ones are only available in the US, either individually or in an 8 disc box set called the Perfect Evangelion. Death and Rebirth will be available for the first time in English on DVD on 30th July 2002, again in the USA, while the End of Evangelion will be released in September 2002.
More Information
----------------
To get more about the series, I would recommend the following sites.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/Ritsuko/666-protector/home.htm
http://www.lwhy.clara.net/nge/
For information on the two movies, and a lovely trailer, see the site below:
http://www.deathandrebirth.com/
Lastly, the series will be airing on the Sci Fi channel (Sky and Cable) from June after the 10pm movies.