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Angel Attack

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"Angel Attack"
Neon Genesis Evangelion episode
Evangelion Angel Attack.jpg
Shinji Ikari (center), Ritsuko Akagi (left) and Misato Katsuragi (right) with the Eva-01's head. The scene is informed by Combattler V.
Episode no.Episode 1
Directed byKazuya Tsurumaki
Written byHideaki Anno
Story byGainax
Original air dateOctober 4, 1995 (1995-10-04)
Running time22 minutes
Episode chronology
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"Angel Attack"[a] is the first episode of the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Gainax. The episode was written by the series director Hideaki Anno and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. It was originally aired on TV Tokyo on October 4, 1995. The series is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city Tokyo-3, fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm. The protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy whose father Gendo has recruited him to the organization Nerv to pilot a giant bio-machine mecha named "Evangelion" to combat beings called "Angels". In the episode, Tokyo-3 is attacked by the Angel Sachiel, who fights the United Nations Army and the JSSDF. Gendo summons Shinji for the first time and Shinji reluctantly agrees to pilot the mecha.

Production for "Angel Attack" began in September 1994 and ended in April 1995. The episode references other mecha anime series and previous works by Gainax. It scored a 6.8% rating of audience share on Japanese TV and received critical and public acclaim focused on its visuals, direction and introduction of the characters.

Plot[]

Gendo Ikari, commander of a special agency named Nerv, summons his son Shinji to the city of Tokyo-3. Sachiel, third of a series of mysterious enemies knows as Angels, approaches a Japanese city underwater as a JSSDF tank battalion awaits it on the shoreline. Shinji, who recently arrived in a nearby town, has remained above ground waiting for Misato Katsuragi, head for the military department of Nerv, who is due to pick him up. The JSSDF air force begins to attack the Angel with missiles. Shinji is nearly killed in the ensuing battle but is rescued at the last moment by Misato, who arrives in her car.

The JSSDF, admitting their ineffectiveness, transfer responsibility for the Angel's destruction to Gendo and Nerv. Elsewhere, Shinji and Misato in a car train descend deep underground into a Geofront. Shinji is taken to the hangar of a giant mecha named Evangelion, where he is shown Unit 01, the first test type of the Eva series, as Gendo appears above. Shinji learns he has been summoned to pilot Unit 01 into battle against the Angel. He confronts his father and protests at his treatment, believing he has no chance of completing the task, but Gendo tells him to pilot the craft or leave. Shinji initially refuses, and Gendo sends for his other pilot Rei Ayanami, who is seriously injured. Confronted with the sight of Rei's injuries, Shinji agrees to pilot the Evangelion, which is then launched from the Geofront into the path of the Angel on a road on the surface.

Production[]

Neon Genesis Evangelion director Hideaki Anno

Gainax began planning the production of Neon Genesis Evangelion in July 1993.[1] On September 20, the first internal meeting about the new project was held at the studio, but production for the first two episodes began in September 1994, a year later the first meeting, and lasted for months.[2][3] The writing phase was slow, and, according to Evangelion's director Hideaki Anno, the first episode's script was completed in six months.[4] Kazuya Tsurumaki, assistant director of Neon Genesis Evangelion, served as director of "Angel Attack" and was assisted by Anno and Masayuki, who drew storyboards for the episodes, while Shunji Suzuki[5] and Yū Honda were chosen as animation directors.[6]

In the first draft, "Angel Attack" had been named "People's reunion" (再会する人々, Saikai suru hitobito).[7] The episode would have begun with Shinji on a train, stopped by a battle between Rei Ayanami's Eva-00 and an Angel named Raziel; the Angel would have vanished into a lake, with the damaged Unit 00 returning to the Nerv base.[8] The beginning of a battle between Raziel and a berserk Unit 01 was also planned, but it was moved to the second episode.[9] Production of "Angel Attack" officially ended in April 1995; one month later, the second episode was also completed.[7] The dubbing sessions began on March 27, about six months before the series was planned to be broadcast.[10] The episodes were screened in front of 200 people at the second Gainax festival on 22 and 23 July 1995 in Itako, Ibaraki, a few months before their official broadcast.[11] According to Gainax co-founder Yasuhiro Takeda, the work was still at an early stage and the opening sequence was not yet finished.[12]

The script's story as conceived starts in medias res.[13] References to earlier anime works, including Lupin III,[14][15] Combattler V[16] and GunBuster were added to the final version of "Angel Attack".[17] Akio Jissoji's directorial style influenced the episode.[18] Humorous graphic symbols that are typical of shojo anime were used, drawing inspiration from the works of Kunihiko Ikuhara.[19][20] "Angel Attack" also depicts Japanese Type 74 tanks,[21] Yak-38-inspired VTOLs,[22] nacelle-less gyroplanes[23] and M270 MLRS missile launchers.[24][25]

Reception[]

First episodes can make or break a series. Few anime premieres do a better job of setting up the players and crisis than Evangelion''s opening episode. ... Evangelion is a rush of drama and excitement right from the start with the end of the world scenario and the "special" child who must save the world, making for an especially lovely touch.

–Max Covill (Film School Rejects)[26]

"Angel Attack" received critical and public acclaim.[27][28] Gainax premiered "Angel Attack", along with the second episode, in a preview at the second Gainax festival on July 22 and 23, 1995, receiving a positive reception.[12] The episode was first broadcast on October 4, 1995, and scored a 6.8% rating of audience share on Japanese TV.[29][30] After the series' first run, "Angel Attack" ranked 17th among "best anime episodes" in an Animage magazine Grand Prix poll.[31] The scene in which Shinji meets Rei Ayanami for the first time ranked 16th in a survey by TV Asahi about the best anime scenes.[32] In 2011, a Japanese otaku champion chose the line "I must not run away", which Shinji utters in "Angel Attack" for the first time, as the third most-frequent anime quote.[33] In 2020 NHK proposed a similar survey, which chose "I must not run away" as the third-favorite quote by Neon Genesis Evangelion fans.[34]

Academic Susan J. Napier described the depiction of Shinji's and Misato's "inner world" in "Angel Attack" as an example of the series' unconventionality.[35] Italian writer and critic Andrea Fontana wrote; "From the first episode, every detail [in Neon Genesis Evangelion] overflows with many meanings".[36] Comic Book Resources criticized the depiction of the futuristic scenario, but defended Shinji and his reluctance to face the task of protecting humanity in "Angel Attack".[37][38] Kristy Anderson (Supanova) picked his decision to ride Eva-01 as one of the character's best moments.[39] Joshua Sorensen of Filmdaze.net also defended Shinji, describing the "I must not run away" scene as "the crux of everything that makes the show the singularity that it is".[40] According to the Newtype's official Evangelion film books, the scene in which Gendo takes command on the battle against Sachiel also received a positive reception for its "expressiveness" and is "considered one of the best-executed of this episode".[41]

The Animé Café's Japanese reviewer Akio Nagatomi described the animation as "average" for a TV serial and praised "some interesting creature and mecha design", but also criticized the premise of the story of a young boy who fights alien beings as too derivative.[42] The December 1995 issue of Newtype magazine praised the episode's dense amount of information but also noticed "it can confuse some viewers".[43] Daniel Dockery (SyFy Wire) described Sachiel's debut as "terrifying", but considered it reminiscent of "a bunch of giant monster tropes".[44] Critics, including animator Yūichirō Oguro (writing for Newtype magazine)[45] and Anime News Network's Nick Creamer,[46] appreciated the episode's direction and editing.[47][48][49] Newtype wrote, "the many elaborate camera angles may tickle fans hearts" and "the eye-catching titles are also well placed".[50] For Alex Crilly-Mckean (WatchMojo), the episode sets up "all the madness that is yet to come in the most perfect way".[51] Max Covill (Film School Rejects) similarly placed "Angel Attack" third among the best Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes, praising it for its visuals and introduction of mysteries of the series;[26] he also praised one shot of Shinji reading a book with the hand of an Evangelion in the background as a "symbolism of him being just a tool to accomplish a goal".[52] Kinoko Nasu, writer of Mahōtsukai no Yoru and Fate/stay night, began his career as a writer after seeing "Angel Attack", an episode that according to him "can't have been ignored by neither I nor my contemporaries".[53]

References[]

  1. ^ Japanese: 使徒、襲来, Hepburn: Shito, Shūrai
  1. ^ Takeda, Yasuhiro (2002). The Notenki memoirs: studio Gainax and the men who created Evangelion. ADV Manga. p. 16. ISBN 1-4139-0234-0.
  2. ^ Porori 2010, pp. 126–127.
  3. ^ "エヴァ制作開始インタビュー". Newtype Magazine. Kadokawa Shoten: 4. April 1995. Archived from the original on December 15, 2000. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "庵野秀明 - Part II". 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン残酷な天使のように (in Japanese). Magazine Magazine. 1997. ISBN 4-906011-25-X.
  5. ^ The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side A. Glénat Editions. 2009. p. 44. ISBN 978-2-7234-7120-6.
  6. ^ Oguro, Yūichirō. "第35回 エヴァ雑記「第弐話 見知らぬ、天井」" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Neon Genesis Evangelion Theatralical VHS Box Booklet (in Japanese). King Amusement Creative. 1997.
  8. ^ Gainax (1998). Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. p. 87. ISBN 4-04-852700-2.
  9. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). 17. Sony Magazines. pp. 27–28.
  10. ^ Oguro, Yūichirō. "第34回 エヴァ雑記「第壱話 使徒、襲来」" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  11. ^ Newtype Complete 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. 2005. p. 11.
  12. ^ a b Takeda, Yasuhiro (2002). The Notenki memoirs: studio Gainax and the men who created Evangelion. ADV Manga. p. 162. ISBN 1-4139-0234-0.
  13. ^ Gualtiero Cannarsi. Evangelion Encyclopedia (in Italian). 1. Dynamic Italia. p. 14.
  14. ^ "Japan Expo 2015: l'edizione del ventennale di Evangelion". Fumettologica.it (in Italian). July 14, 2015. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  15. ^ Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (2003). Renewal Bonus Extras (video) (in Japanese). Gainax.
  16. ^ Izubuchi, Yutaka; Anno, Hideaki (31 March 2004). "Combattler and Gowapper". RahXephon Complete (in Japanese). ISBN 4-8401-1019-0. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  17. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). 1. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 22.
  18. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). 1. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 20.
  19. ^ Gualtiero Cannarsi. Evangelion Encyclopedia (in Italian). 1. Dynamic Italia. p. 21.
  20. ^ Eva Tomo no Kai (in Japanese). 1. Gainax. 1996.
  21. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). 3. Sony Magazines. p. 10.
  22. ^ Evangelion Chronicle (in Japanese). 2. Sony Magazines. pp. 9–10.
  23. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). 1. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 25.
  24. ^ The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side A. Glénat Editions. 2009. p. 47. ISBN 978-2-7234-7120-6.
  25. ^ Seiji, Kio; Yamashita, Ikuto (1998). Sore Wo Nasumono: Neon Genesis Evangelion Concept Design Works (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. p. 164. ISBN 4-04-852908-0.
  26. ^ a b Covill, Max (June 17, 2019). "Every Episode of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' Ranked". Filmschoolrejects.com. Film School Rejects. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  27. ^ Poggio, Alessandra (2008). Neon Genesis Evangelion Encyclopedia (in Italian). Dynit. p. 8.
  28. ^ Platinum Booklet. 1. ADV. 2004.
  29. ^ "Newtype" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. December 1995. p. 74. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  30. ^ "新世紀エヴァンゲリオン"騒動"小史（増補改訂版）" (in Japanese). Nikkei Business Publications. Archived from the original on February 12, 2001. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  31. ^ "第18回アニメグランプリ［1996年5月号］". Tokuma Shoten. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010.
  32. ^ "アニメ最強名場面ベスト１００～幻の第１話＆感動の最終回SP～" (in Japanese). TV Asahi. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Poll: Top Online Quotes Whose Origins You Don't Know (Part 1)". March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  34. ^ "『全エヴァンゲリオン大投票』ランキングまとめ。好きなキャラ1位はアスカ、エヴァは初号機、使徒は第6、セリフは「私が守るもの」" (in Japanese). May 16, 2020. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  35. ^ Napier, Susan J. (November 2002). "When the Machines Stop: Fantasy, Reality, and Terminal Identity in Neon Genesis Evangelion and Serial Experiments Lain". Science Fiction Studies. 29 (88): 428. ISSN 0091-7729. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2007.
  36. ^ Andrea Fontana. "Neon Genesis Evangelion: l'apoteosi dell'anime" (in Italian). Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  37. ^ Kogod, Theo (December 14, 2019). "10 Things That Didn't Age Well In Neon Genesis Evangelion". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  38. ^ Luquin, Eduardo. "Evangelion: 5 Times We Sympathized With Shinji (& 5 When We Didn't)". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  39. ^ Anderson, Kristy (June 4, 2020). "The Best Moments Of Shinji Ikari In 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'". Supanova.com.au. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  40. ^ Joshua Sorensen (June 16, 2019). "In Defence of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion's Shinji Ikari". Filmdaze.net. FilmDaze. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  41. ^ Neon Genesis Evangelion Film Book (in Japanese). 1. Kadokawa Shoten. p. 27.
  42. ^ "Shinseiki Evangelion Review Pages - Episode 1: Shito Shyurai". Abcb.com. The Animé Café. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  43. ^ "Newtype" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. December 1995. pp. 6–7. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  44. ^ Dockery, Daniel (June 23, 2019). "The 10 most awesome (non-depressing) moments In Neon Genesis Evangelion". Syfy.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  45. ^ Newtype Complete 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. 2005. p. 21.
  46. ^ Creamer, Nick (July 10, 2019). "Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  47. ^ Crilly-Mckean, Alex. "Top 10 Greatest First Episodes in Anime". Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  48. ^ Newtype Complete 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. 2005. p. 15.
  49. ^ Walker, Alex (June 19, 2019). "The Best Neon Genesis: Evangelion Episodes". Kotaku.com. Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  50. ^ "Newtype" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. October 1995. pp. 14–15. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  51. ^ Crilly-Mckean, Alex. "Top 10 Anime That Became Masterpieces After Just One Episode". Watchmojo.com. WatchMojo. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  52. ^ Covill, Max (June 19, 2019). "The Perfect Shots of 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'". Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  53. ^ "The Secret of Mahoutsukai no Yoru's Birth". Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  • Porori, Syunsou (2010). The Essential Evangelion Chronicle: Side B (in French). Glénat Editions. ISBN 978-2-7234-7121-3.

External links[]

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