Neon Genesis Evangelion (franchise)

Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン)
Created byHideaki Anno
Owners
Years1994–2023
Print publications
Graphic novel(s)List of chapters
Films and television
Film(s)List of movies
Animated seriesNeon Genesis Evangelion
Games
Video game(s)List of video games
Audio
Original musicList of music
Miscellaneous
Character(s)List of characters
Official website
https://www.evangelion.co.jp

Neon Genesis Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Shin Seiki Evangerion) is a Japanese media franchise created by Hideaki Anno, originally owned by Gainax and currently owned by Khara.[1][2] Most of the franchise features an apocalyptic[3] mecha[4] action story, which revolves around the paramilitary organization NERV and their efforts in fighting hostile beings called Angels, using giant humanoids called Evangelions (or EVAs for short) that are piloted by select teenagers.[5][6][7] Subsequent works deviate from this theme to varying degrees,[8] focusing more on romantic interactions between the characters, plotlines not present in the original works, and reimaginings of the conflicts from the original works.[9][10]

The Neon Genesis Evangelion manga debuted in Shōnen Ace in December 1994, to generate interest in the upcoming anime release.[11] The Neon Genesis Evangelion anime was written and directed by Hideaki Anno, originally airing from October 1995 until March 1996.[12] General consensus is that the anime was groundbreaking[13][14] in its exploration of religious,[15] psychological,[16] and philosophical[17] themes, while initially appearing to be a standard mecha show. However, there was some debate over its controversial ending.[18] In response, two films were made to provide an alternate ending for the show: Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth,[19] released in March 1997, and The End of Evangelion released in July 1997.[20] Death is a 60-minute compilation of parts from the first 24 episodes of the TV series, with some new footage added in order to prepare for Rebirth, which contains the last two episodes and the first 30 minutes of End of Evangelion.[21]

The popularity of the show spawned numerous additional media, including video games,[22] radio dramas,[23] audio books,[citation needed] a light novel series,[24] pachinko machines,[25] and a tetralogy of films titled Rebuild of Evangelion.[26] Other derivative works include Angelic Days,[27] Petit Eva: Evangelion@School[28] and Shinji Ikari Raising Project.[29]

  1. ^ Bricken, Rob (December 12, 2014). "The Original Evangelion TV Series Is Finally Coming To Blu-Ray (io9)". Gizmodo Media Group. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  2. ^ "新世紀エヴァンゲリオン". Khara, Inc. Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  3. ^ "Neon Genesis Evangelion's Apocalyptic Psychology". Arcade Project. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "ADV Films.com". June 8, 2007. Archived from the original on June 8, 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  5. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion, archived from the original on September 4, 2023, retrieved February 17, 2023
  6. ^ Shin seiki evangerion (Animation, Action, Drama), Gainax, Nihon Ad Systems (NAS), TV Tokyo, August 20, 1997, archived from the original on September 4, 2023, retrieved February 17, 2023
  7. ^ "Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) - Anime News Network". www.animenewsnetwork.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  8. ^ ""Neon Genesis Evangelion"—"Rebuild of Evangelion": It's Happening Again". MUBI. August 23, 2019. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "「ヱヴァ」総監督 劇場で"緊急声明"". Sponichi Annex. February 12, 2007. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  10. ^ Meenan, Devin (October 21, 2021). "Evangelion: 10 Biggest Differences Between The Original Anime And The Rebuilds". CBR. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  11. ^ "Young Ace Reprints Last Evangelion Chapter After Issue Sells Out". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  12. ^ Frank, Allegra (June 21, 2019). "8 things to know about Neon Genesis Evangelion, the legendary anime now streaming on Netflix". Vox. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  13. ^ Wit, Alex Dudok de (August 11, 2020). "The Animation That Changed Me: Sawako Kabuki on 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'". Cartoon Brew. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  14. ^ "The Groundbreaking Anime Series Neon Genesis Evangelion Is Making Its Way To Netflix". epicstream.com. November 27, 2018. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  15. ^ "Religious Symbolism in Neon Genesis Evangelion Explained - Anime Jinsei". www.animejinsei.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  16. ^ Disabato, T. J. "Check out "Neon Genesis Evangelion" for its complex psychological themes". The Observer. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "Neon Genesis Evangelion and Philosophy, CFA : Popular Culture and Philosophy". Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  18. ^ "People really hated the ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Here's why they were wrong". SYFY Official Site. June 26, 2019. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Kaiser, Vrai (June 28, 2019). "Neon Genesis Evangelion Explained: Ending Differences and Reasons". IGN. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  20. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) - IMDb, archived from the original on September 4, 2023, retrieved January 27, 2023
  21. ^ "Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth". pooka-neko.livejournal.com. September 11, 2015. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  22. ^ "Let's look back at some Neon Genesis Evangelion video games". Destructoid. August 13, 2021. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  23. ^ "Evangelion: After the End (Audio Play)". TV Tropes. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  24. ^ "Ikuto Yamashita's Evangelion Anima Novels With Alternate Ending Get Print Book Release in Japan". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  25. ^ フィールズ株式会社. "新世紀エヴァンゲリオン～未来への咆哮～". www.eva-project.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  26. ^ Adlakha, Siddhant (August 21, 2021). "The end of the Evangelion experiment". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  27. ^ "Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (manga) - Anime News Network". www.animenewsnetwork.com. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  28. ^ Puchi Eva: Evangelion@School (Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi), Kanaban Graphics, Xebec, March 20, 2007, retrieved January 27, 2023
  29. ^ "Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project Omnibus". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved January 27, 2023.