A re-introduction to my Neon Genesis Evangelion series
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A reflection on the phenomenon of Evangelion in Japan, written by Murderous Ink
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A discussion with Bob Clark and Murderous Ink about episodes 1 - 7
This
viewing series actually began back in 2012, a year when we were supposed to experience an apocalypse (remember the whole December 21 thing?). So it is appropriate that my posts resume in 2015, another apocalyptic year - at least according to the show itself.
Neon Genesis Evangelion, which premiered in 1995, is set in 2015; in fact, the very first episode apparently takes place two days ago (June 22). Of course in this version of 2015 the world has been nearly destroyed by a mysterious cataclysmic event called "The Second Impact" and the remnants of society are now being attacked by terrifying giant creatures called "Angels." Only teenage pilots can save humanity by piloting Evangelions, weaponized robots (or so it seems) that sync up with their nervous systems. That is the premise of
Evangelion, but by the end of the series it has gone far, far afield from mecha action and adolescent hijinks into the realm of avant-garde animation, hallucinatory psychodrama, and intense, poignant character study. Now that my
Evangelion series has returned, weekly reviews of each episode alongside extended discussions with bloggers Bob Clark and Murderous Ink, we will finally be able to reach those episodes and the even trippier film, as well as the recent Rebuild movies which extend and complicate the legacy of the show.
I know what you're thinking: you abandoned this episode guide two and half years ago - who is to say you'll complete it this time? Well, the good news is I already
have completed it. In fact that's partly the reason why the series took so long to come back: I didn't want to resume until I was sure I would see it through. Several weeks ago, I reviewed the most recent of the Rebuild films and before that I held my last discussion with Bob, a massive two-part analysis of
The End of Evangelion. While I still have some editing to do, and Murderous Ink may offer some further feedback, the bulk of the work is complete, scheduled behind-the-scenes in Blogger for every Wednesday through December 2. Therefore, barring an actual Third Impact, you will absolutely see a full episode guide for
Neon Genesis Evangelion. If you decide to watch the show alongside us, you should be okay - we
avoid any big spoilers though there are vague references to forthcoming
characters or events so be warned. (That said, I doubt you'll be able to
limit yourself to one 22-minute episode a week!) If you haven't watched
the show yet, or haven't even heard of it, you probably shouldn't read
any further - but keep your eyes peeled. I'm hoping to produce a very
short video later this summer, introducing and recommending
Neon Genesis Evangelion to those who haven't seen it yet (and celebrating it for those who have).
The upcoming posts were written in several installments, beginning last year - taking a break as I devoted most of my time and energy to
Twin Peaks - and then resuming this spring for the final ten episodes. As such, I think you can see my perspective and knowledge of the show evolving over the course of these write-ups and discussions. I still have not seen much anime, but I have learned much more about the context of the show, the fan culture, and the mythology onscreen. Hopefully these posts can be enjoyed by
Evangelion newbies and veterans alike - best of all would be to hear back from readers who have their own thoughts to share. In recent months, as I approached the final stretch of episodes (my favorite in the series) and began to really explore fan theories and analyses in depth I was blown away by the passion and insight of
Eva fans. Although I've seen the show four or five times by now, my impressions will mostly by those of an outsider to anime and (at least initially)
Eva. Hopefully that curious, fresh-eyed perspective will prove interesting, but keep in mind I will also be joined by two
Eva fans whose histories with the series, and understanding of its world, go back much further than mine.
Bob Clark, who has been a participant in these posts since the very first one, is the blogger who introduced me to
Neon Genesis Evangelion with
his "Operation Yashima" essay on Wonders in the Dark in 2011. I don't incorporate dialogues into my blogging, but I knew when I tackled this series that I wanted him onboard. Bob's recent work can be found on
NeoWestchester, a witty, inventive daily webcomic mixing sci-fi, politics, action, and affectionate satire of fan culture. Murderous Ink, a Japanese film writer who witnessed the
Evangelion phenomenon firsthand in the mid-nineties, brings a much-needed socio-historical context to bear in
his own analyses of the show, examining their resonance for Japanese society and their relevance post-Fukushima. When I discovered these essays in 2012, I invited him to join this discussion. He did not participate in the chats with Bob and I, but rather emailed his thoughts afterwards (to which we ourselves often responded). I have woven those longer reflections in with Bob's and my conversation and hopefully the presentation flows smoothly. MI's pereceptive, penetrating essays on classic cinema (particularly postwar Japan) can be found on his blog
Vermillion and One Nights.
This week, in preparation for next week's resumption of the episode-by-episode approach with episode 8 ("Asuka Strikes!"), I wanted to share one of MI's more recent emails in which he replied to my inquiry about the state of the fandom in Japan. His response is presented here in its entirety, as a prologue to the conversation Bob, MI, and I had about the first seven episodes.