Evangelion 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone

Original posted at http://moe.imouto.org/post/show/85902/aida_kensuke-ayanami_rei-horaki_hikari-ikari_shinj

Neon Genesis Evangelion, (short Evangelion), is the ultimate anime classic series any anime fan knows (or should). There would be quite rare anime’s of which there is spoken more than they did at Evangelion. Aired in 1995 it surprised the world with it’s awesome mecha combats, music, plot and great characters. Each of the characters have their own personality. Even in 2009, the story, music and characters are truly awesome. That must have been the thoughts of Anno Hideaki when he complete rewrote and published Evangelion 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone in 2007. It was an huge success, 2 billion yen (according to Wikipedia) was earned and the next installment should shatter in dec 2009 (now in cinemas see riuva).

I’m not going to completely review the series, sequels or neither these remakes. There are just too much reviews… I will fulfill the question whether to watch/buy if you have already seen the Evangelion series. Those not watched Evangelion, stop reading and start watching. Though Evangelion is a mech genre fighting of aliens (angels) it’s truly about humans. Shinji, the leading role, might seems to be naive and far too complicated, but that’s the point of the story … you’ll see. So, not watchers checkout first, watchers … read on!

At first let’s throw some comparison screenshots. A 1995 vs a 2007 cuts.

Not very surprising the graphics are great! But did the 26 series story hold up vs the trilogy remake? The first installment, Evangelion 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone, covers the first 6 episodes. With the length of ~1h 35 minutes (minues credits).

Yes, it holds. They luckyily didn’t cut the less action scenes too much, such as the rising city Tokyo3 due the sunset on Shinji’s first day at Nerv. They also left in Pen Pen, who Shinji meets while he enters the bathroom. You know, when Shinji’s runs down to Misato, compelety naked, to question about the weird pinguin in the bathtub. Though, don’t misunderstand me. Some hilarious or dramatic scenes are left out and you have to think a bit more. For example, when Ikari opens Unit00 to get Rei out of the entry plug he burn his hands. In the series we get a good look of how Rei notices it. When Shinji, later on, burns his hands to save her likewise, you must make the match yourselves. Even Rei doesn’t notice the burning hands of Shinji ..

What I missed the most? I missed the arguing between Misato and Shinji. But especially, I still don’t get it why they remove it, the protective hand of Eva when the ceiling drops down to Shinji. You know, when Shinji arrives at the Nerv headquarters the first day. The day he met the Eva the first time and huge rocks were cracking down. Rei had fell and Shinji had covered her. At the moment they would be smashed the Eva suddenly, without power, moved it’s hand between them and the boulder. I found it very important, but I guess I was wrong.

At last, the ending theme is now Beautiful world instead Fly me to the moon. Both songs are meant to last forever!
Please check the lyrics of Beautiful world whenever you do not understand Japanese. Great lyrics!

Conclusion, to watch or buy the remake …

I did, I mean, I did bought Evangelion 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone. It should say enough. Though I think re-watchers will mostly enjoy reliving the old memories. Especially the more memories now found to be found in HD. Europe watchers though have no bluray at the moment, but my guess a bluray will be released shortly (hopeful). Whenever the bluray is released, I definitely get it!

Not convinced?
Ask yourselves this.

Do you not want to see Rei Ayanami in High Definition, completely revised?