WiC Watches: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Episodes 1 and 2: “Angel Attack” and “The Beast”

First, I feel like reviewing episodes two by two might be the way to go with this series, or at least that’s my impression based on the first couple sets that I watched. Episodes 1 and 2 seemed like Parts 1 and 2 of a longer story, as did Episodes 3 and 4. We’ll see if that holds true for the whole series, but for now, it’s a go.

These first episodes catch us up with the post-apocalyptic world of Evangelion. In 1999, just a few years after this anime was made, Japan is devastated by strange creatures called Angels who sweep over the world in a cataclysm known as the Second Impact. The main story picks up in 2015, with lead character Shinji Ikari summoned by his estranged father Gendo to NERV, a government organization designed to fight the Angels, who have been dormant these past 15 years.

But they’re back, and Shinji is the only person capable of piloting a NERV-developed giant robot — called an Evangelion — and fighting them. What makes Shinji so special? I don’t know, but the moment where the Evangelion moves on its own and shields Shinji from falling debris is cool and mysterious; I’m sure we’ll learn more as we go.

And the ironic part is that Shinji isn’t special. In fact, he kind of seems like the opposite of special. You’d expect the hero of a giant fighting robot series to show backbone or passion or SOMETHING worth rooting for, but Shinji is incredibly passive and fearful. He pilots the Evangelion to please his father more than anything else, and even then, only with extreme doubt. I’m torn between wanting to comfort him and wanting to shake him silly until he snaps out of whatever funk he’s in. Shinji is not your typical action show protagonist. He’s lending the series a melancholy you don’t expect from a show about robots fighting monsters.

The other exceptional thing about the show so far is its design. There are a lot of anime with giant robots, but Shinji’s Evangelion looks far more human than, say, something out of Gundam. It strains and heaves, stresses and rages. The gnashing, salivating jaw is a particularly nice touch. And in one memorable, creepy moment after the Evangelion has taken over control and defeated an Angel seemingly without much input from Shinji, our hero gets a look at the skull beneath the skin. Are these creatures part organic? Again, I’m sure we’ll find out more. I want to know.

I always knew Evangelion wasn’t the usual giant robot show. So far, it’s living up to its weird reputation.