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Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA Light Novel #1
Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA (Light Novel) Vol. 1
BASED ON THE LEGENDARY ANIME, AN ALL-NEW EVANGELION SAGA TOLD IN AN ALTERNATE TIMELINE!
What if reluctant hero Ikari Shinji had saved the world? Now, at seventeen years old, he is the defacto leader of the EVA team. Under the leadership of Commander Katsuragi Misato, the Evangelion suits have been updated with advanced designs and powers, in preparation for the possible return of the monstrous Angels. Four copies of Ayanami Rei have been tasked with operating a global anti-Angel search-and-destroy program. But when one of these clones goes rogue, it’s up to Shinji to stop her.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2019
103 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 17, 2020
First, let me start by saying that I'm one of those uptight Eva fans that thought they'd never partake of the extra material created after the TV series, Death & Rebirth, and End of Evangelion. But over 20 years later, I've relaxed; I've read the manga and now this light novel. I don't regret it one bit.
"You who have failed your parts...depart from the stage at once"
This book was very reminiscent of the overall feel of the TV series. Lots of action with a bit of narrative, plot, and comedic relief. The story and narrative aspects are the weakest sections and typos break the flow but they're not so bad as to ruin the experience. There's a lot of excitement, action, and drama that was fun to read. The alternate development of the characters, Earth, and NERV was interesting and worked well. It's not perfect but I liked it. A lot.
"You who have failed your parts...depart from the stage at once"
This book was very reminiscent of the overall feel of the TV series. Lots of action with a bit of narrative, plot, and comedic relief. The story and narrative aspects are the weakest sections and typos break the flow but they're not so bad as to ruin the experience. There's a lot of excitement, action, and drama that was fun to read. The alternate development of the characters, Earth, and NERV was interesting and worked well. It's not perfect but I liked it. A lot.
November 28, 2019
Exhilarating read full of the crunchy tecnobabble I loved in the anime. This is set three years after the original anime in an alternate timeline. My first "light novel" read and I really enjoyed it. Quick and fun but full of the usual bizarre and absurd confusion typical of Evangelion.
September 12, 2019
4.5/5. This was WILD.
June 13, 2022
Neon Genesis: Evangelion: Anima Vol .1 By Ikuto Yamashita is a media tie-in novel based on the anime “Neon Genesis: Evangelion.”
Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA is a series of light novels that follow an alternate timeline where Shinji was able to prevent the Human Instrumentality Project from happening. Volume 1 takes place three years into the future and humanity is currently experiencing an uneasy peace. While no Angels have appeared in that time, the mass-produced EVAs have gone unaccounted for after the Battle of NERV HQ and so the restructured NERV created an orbital search-and-destroy system using three Rei clones in case of their resurfacing. That is, until one of the clones gos rogue, threatening the peace and serving as a catalyst a new threat.
While Neon Genesis Evangelion is known for its characters and their psychological issues. ANIMA, however, begins with the characters lacking these issues. In fact, it plays out very much like a standard mech story. At least, that is before the end of the fight with the rogue Rei, then the story starts to reintroduce old issues and introduce new ones for the characters.
Though I do have to say that until the Rei clone goes rogue, the beginning is kind of slow and filled with exposition, but once it reaches that story beat, the pacing picks up tremendously. There are also a few times where the narration will say "X would later learn X". While the times the narration does this can be counted on one hand, it's still a case of tell, not showing. Other than one time, we don't even see the scenes where the character(s) learn such information later in the book. They can be excised from the text and nothing would be lost.
Overall, While Evangelion: ANIMA Vol. 1 starts being softer than the show, it shows itself as being on the same level by the end, both in terms of characters' mental issues, the series's technobabble, and mech action. Fans of the franchise should be able to greatly enjoy while newcomers would not have much of a problem getting into the series. For example, other than catching one or two episodes on late night TV back when I was younger, my experience with the franchise was through synopses and I didn't have much of a problem getting into the story.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA is a series of light novels that follow an alternate timeline where Shinji was able to prevent the Human Instrumentality Project from happening. Volume 1 takes place three years into the future and humanity is currently experiencing an uneasy peace. While no Angels have appeared in that time, the mass-produced EVAs have gone unaccounted for after the Battle of NERV HQ and so the restructured NERV created an orbital search-and-destroy system using three Rei clones in case of their resurfacing. That is, until one of the clones gos rogue, threatening the peace and serving as a catalyst a new threat.
While Neon Genesis Evangelion is known for its characters and their psychological issues. ANIMA, however, begins with the characters lacking these issues. In fact, it plays out very much like a standard mech story. At least, that is before the end of the fight with the rogue Rei, then the story starts to reintroduce old issues and introduce new ones for the characters.
Though I do have to say that until the Rei clone goes rogue, the beginning is kind of slow and filled with exposition, but once it reaches that story beat, the pacing picks up tremendously. There are also a few times where the narration will say "X would later learn X". While the times the narration does this can be counted on one hand, it's still a case of tell, not showing. Other than one time, we don't even see the scenes where the character(s) learn such information later in the book. They can be excised from the text and nothing would be lost.
Overall, While Evangelion: ANIMA Vol. 1 starts being softer than the show, it shows itself as being on the same level by the end, both in terms of characters' mental issues, the series's technobabble, and mech action. Fans of the franchise should be able to greatly enjoy while newcomers would not have much of a problem getting into the series. For example, other than catching one or two episodes on late night TV back when I was younger, my experience with the franchise was through synopses and I didn't have much of a problem getting into the story.
August 27, 2019
There was a point in the book where I audibly made a noise like "Ay-yi-yi", got on Discord to tell my friends about it, then got up, and had to take a walk. It was when the author is describing a new Evangelion with the secondary title of Allegorica that's so named because, and I'm quoting here, "the unit could have come out of a fantastical allegory." It then goes on to describe how it's shaped like a centaur with two wings. Hoo boy.
Maybe it should've been called Metaphorica, because this Eva and the chapter surrounding it are a metaphor for some of the real problems of this book: the ridiculous-looking new Eva is given many paragraphs detailing how it works and all the new things it can do (along with a picture), while the pilot has 3 short lines of dialogue (2 to an unnamed worker) in the whole chapter and a half-dozen short sentences where the author tells us how their whole worldview changed in 3 years.
I told a friend that the biggest problem with this book is that it's written by the mech designer for Evangelion, and it reads exactly like that. This book feels like a series of battles and descriptions of overdesigned mechs with the human moments stripped away, except for a backtracking moment where the characters go to school for half a chapter late in the book.
Those human moments, the scenes in the apartment, scenes about school life, scenes about Tokyo-3 living in the specter of the ever-present threat of Angels, their thoughts and feelings, those scenes presented a different dimension to the characters and made them and the world surrounding them seem more real. They're sorely missed in this book.
I was interested in the premise of the book taking place 3 years after a divergent timeline moment where the Human Instrumentality Project was foiled, but I grew bored with the nonstop fighting, the nonstop introduction of newer mechs, and a lack of serious examination as to how the characters and their problems have changed in the intervening 3 years.
Even as an Eva fan, I'm not sure I can recommend this book.
Maybe it should've been called Metaphorica, because this Eva and the chapter surrounding it are a metaphor for some of the real problems of this book: the ridiculous-looking new Eva is given many paragraphs detailing how it works and all the new things it can do (along with a picture), while the pilot has 3 short lines of dialogue (2 to an unnamed worker) in the whole chapter and a half-dozen short sentences where the author tells us how their whole worldview changed in 3 years.
I told a friend that the biggest problem with this book is that it's written by the mech designer for Evangelion, and it reads exactly like that. This book feels like a series of battles and descriptions of overdesigned mechs with the human moments stripped away, except for a backtracking moment where the characters go to school for half a chapter late in the book.
Those human moments, the scenes in the apartment, scenes about school life, scenes about Tokyo-3 living in the specter of the ever-present threat of Angels, their thoughts and feelings, those scenes presented a different dimension to the characters and made them and the world surrounding them seem more real. They're sorely missed in this book.
I was interested in the premise of the book taking place 3 years after a divergent timeline moment where the Human Instrumentality Project was foiled, but I grew bored with the nonstop fighting, the nonstop introduction of newer mechs, and a lack of serious examination as to how the characters and their problems have changed in the intervening 3 years.
Even as an Eva fan, I'm not sure I can recommend this book.
December 18, 2022
I really enjoyed the separate timeline where Shinji pulled it together and saved humanity at the 3rd impact. Shinji as a strong character is a lot of fun to read, and seeing him live out a happy and successful life for once is a breath of fresh air. The Rei clones are cool but a little weird, and Misato is as great as ever. The main antagonist is hard to enjoy because of how overpowered it is in this book, I feel like the Earth is only kept around due to plot armor. The mission to the moon was definitely the highlight, the Rei's separate personalities really came through during the combat. I really hope Kaworu returns! Best of all there is not a single Shinji moment, it's great!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Way too much focus on the technical aspect of a series where the characters are the strong point. Dialogue and character interactions are few and far between in a sea of mech descriptions and scientific jargon that I frankly didn't care much about at all.
January 26, 2025
I love Evangelion. I will never say anything bad about Evangelion. It did sometimes feel like I was reading fan-fiction, but I can’t help but love it.
June 13, 2025
Primer volumen cumple con sus expectativas.
Ideal ambientación.
Ideal ambientación.
July 6, 2020
Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA is a series of light novels that follow an alternate continuity where Shinji was able to prevent the Human Instrumentality Project from happening. Volume 1 takes place three years into the future and humanity is currently experiencing an uneasy peace. While no Angels have appeared in that time, the mass-produced EVAs have gone unaccounted for after the Battle of NERV HQ and so the restructured NERV created an orbital search-and-destroy system using three Rei clones in case of their resurfacing. That is, until one of the clones go rogue, threatening the peace and serving as a catalyst for new threats.
While Neon Genesis Evangelion is known for its characters and their psychological issues. ANIMA, however, begins with the characters lacking these issues. In fact, it plays out very much like a standard mech story. At least, that is before the end of the fight with the rogue Rei, then the story starts to reintroduce old issues and introduce new ones for the characters.
Though I do have to say that until the Rei clone goes rogue, the beginning is kind of slow and filled with exposition, but once it reaches that story beat, the pacing picks up tremendously. There are also a few times where the narration will say "X would later learn X". While the times the narration does this can be counted on one hand, it's still a case of tell, not showing. Other than one time, we don't even see the scenes where the character(s) learn such information later in the book. They can be excised from the text and nothing would be lost.
While ANIMA starts being softer than the show, it shows itself as being on the same level by the end, both in terms of characters' mental issues, the series's technobabble, and mech action. Fans of the franchise should be able to greatly enjoy while newcomers would not have much of a problem getting into the series. For example, other than catching one or two episodes on late night TV back when I was younger, my experience with the franchise was through synopses and I didn't have much of a problem getting into the story.
While Neon Genesis Evangelion is known for its characters and their psychological issues. ANIMA, however, begins with the characters lacking these issues. In fact, it plays out very much like a standard mech story. At least, that is before the end of the fight with the rogue Rei, then the story starts to reintroduce old issues and introduce new ones for the characters.
Though I do have to say that until the Rei clone goes rogue, the beginning is kind of slow and filled with exposition, but once it reaches that story beat, the pacing picks up tremendously. There are also a few times where the narration will say "X would later learn X". While the times the narration does this can be counted on one hand, it's still a case of tell, not showing. Other than one time, we don't even see the scenes where the character(s) learn such information later in the book. They can be excised from the text and nothing would be lost.
While ANIMA starts being softer than the show, it shows itself as being on the same level by the end, both in terms of characters' mental issues, the series's technobabble, and mech action. Fans of the franchise should be able to greatly enjoy while newcomers would not have much of a problem getting into the series. For example, other than catching one or two episodes on late night TV back when I was younger, my experience with the franchise was through synopses and I didn't have much of a problem getting into the story.
October 20, 2021
I love this show and now that the Rebuild movies are done I just needed a little more. Stumbled across this authorized series of books, and thought “why not”.
When I bought the book at the store, the associate who helped me find it was gushing about the book. He had watched the show and really liked the books. So that made me hopeful.
It’s a fast pace and very confusing read. The scientific aspect of the show is still there and they try really hard to make it sound right. Whereas the show just said it so fast and moved on you didn’t really notice.
Overall, this book moved very briskly between plot points and ended in a juicy (but predictable) cliffhanger. I bought the second book just in case I like it and I’m glad I did because I started it right away.
When I bought the book at the store, the associate who helped me find it was gushing about the book. He had watched the show and really liked the books. So that made me hopeful.
It’s a fast pace and very confusing read. The scientific aspect of the show is still there and they try really hard to make it sound right. Whereas the show just said it so fast and moved on you didn’t really notice.
Overall, this book moved very briskly between plot points and ended in a juicy (but predictable) cliffhanger. I bought the second book just in case I like it and I’m glad I did because I started it right away.
April 20, 2021
Tedious and disappointing.. Sadly I bought all four books at once..
January 17, 2025
Very mixed feelings on this one. Lots of great concepts get introduced, fantastic artwork, breakneck pacing, and we get to look at the world of evangelion through a new lense and medium. Beyond the fact that it's an entirely new storyline essentially being a non-canon sequel to the show, ANIMA is also a pretty big departure in terms of tone and style - moreso than it may seem on the surface.
This is the first in a series of light novels that serve as a sort of "What If..." sequel story to the original TV show. They largely follow the canon of the show up until the last couple of episodes, where in this timeline Shinji is able to stop the third impact from completion.
The story begins with a three-year time jump following this alternate ending for the show, and we get introduced to an aged-up version of the cast adjusted to a new normal. This is actually an idea I really like, and it's interesting to see how the character relationships have evolved over time. Tohji is working for NERV, Asuka and Shinji are (somewhat) getting along, and a wedge has been driven between Rei and Shinji as he tries to deal with the knowledge that she's basically a younger clone of his mother. Dubious Oedipus complex stuff aside, this is an interesting dynamic to explore that the show and movies didn't touch on all that much.
With these older characters come upgraded and redesigned Evangelions, and I'm kind of in love with these designs. They still feel in-line with the design philosophy of the original series, but with every aspect cranked to 11. There are some really crazy and unique designs here and they're all awesome. My personal favorite is the Unit 02 Allegorica.
These changes to the eva designs reflect a larger change in the style of this series. ANIMA feels a bit more traditional in its approach to the mecha genre and sci-fi in general. There's a whole lot more focus on technical jargon and sci-fi staples like extra dimensions, theoretical technology and outer space. That's not to say it has entirely abandoned the more psychological and philosophical musings of the source material, but the story seems a bit more concerned with saying "Okay, here's all these awesome new mechs. Here's how they work, a history of how all this tech got made, and all the caveats. Now let's see what insane, awesome stuff we can make these mechs do."
Thankfully, it's not all boring science babble, because the intricate (if perhaps ridiculous) mechanics and concepts set up lend themselves to incredibly written and paced action sequences. Normally I find descriptions of action scenes a bit hard to follow in novels, but the way these scenes are written here were so effective and vivid that I felt like I was watching an animated fight from the show or movies play out right in front of me. Sure, every now and then there's an illustrated page to make sure you're following along, but they're used pretty sparingly throughout, all things considered.
For sure the biggest weakness comes down to the dialogue and story. It's not bad per se, but the only way I can describe it is that it feels like officially endorsed fanfic. The way these characters interact, while not really out of character, doesn't feel 100% authentic to how they acted in the show and movies. Yes, there was a time jump and they've matured, but it still feels a little... cookie cutter? Safe? I guess Rei is the exception, as her dynamic with Shinji is pretty interesting.
This is the first in a series of light novels that serve as a sort of "What If..." sequel story to the original TV show. They largely follow the canon of the show up until the last couple of episodes, where in this timeline Shinji is able to stop the third impact from completion.
The story begins with a three-year time jump following this alternate ending for the show, and we get introduced to an aged-up version of the cast adjusted to a new normal. This is actually an idea I really like, and it's interesting to see how the character relationships have evolved over time. Tohji is working for NERV, Asuka and Shinji are (somewhat) getting along, and a wedge has been driven between Rei and Shinji as he tries to deal with the knowledge that she's basically a younger clone of his mother. Dubious Oedipus complex stuff aside, this is an interesting dynamic to explore that the show and movies didn't touch on all that much.
With these older characters come upgraded and redesigned Evangelions, and I'm kind of in love with these designs. They still feel in-line with the design philosophy of the original series, but with every aspect cranked to 11. There are some really crazy and unique designs here and they're all awesome. My personal favorite is the Unit 02 Allegorica.
These changes to the eva designs reflect a larger change in the style of this series. ANIMA feels a bit more traditional in its approach to the mecha genre and sci-fi in general. There's a whole lot more focus on technical jargon and sci-fi staples like extra dimensions, theoretical technology and outer space. That's not to say it has entirely abandoned the more psychological and philosophical musings of the source material, but the story seems a bit more concerned with saying "Okay, here's all these awesome new mechs. Here's how they work, a history of how all this tech got made, and all the caveats. Now let's see what insane, awesome stuff we can make these mechs do."
Thankfully, it's not all boring science babble, because the intricate (if perhaps ridiculous) mechanics and concepts set up lend themselves to incredibly written and paced action sequences. Normally I find descriptions of action scenes a bit hard to follow in novels, but the way these scenes are written here were so effective and vivid that I felt like I was watching an animated fight from the show or movies play out right in front of me. Sure, every now and then there's an illustrated page to make sure you're following along, but they're used pretty sparingly throughout, all things considered.
For sure the biggest weakness comes down to the dialogue and story. It's not bad per se, but the only way I can describe it is that it feels like officially endorsed fanfic. The way these characters interact, while not really out of character, doesn't feel 100% authentic to how they acted in the show and movies. Yes, there was a time jump and they've matured, but it still feels a little... cookie cutter? Safe? I guess Rei is the exception, as her dynamic with Shinji is pretty interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2024
An excellent first entry into a series which imagines an alternate continuance of the anime series 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 (my all-time favorite).
It thoroughly captures the pseudo-religious, philosophical, and psychological intrigue and conflicts that are emblematic of the source material. I got the sense that the author, who isn't the director of the source material (Hideaki Anno), had a much stronger fixation and fascination with engineering and hard science. This gave it a much different, more technically focal lens than the anime series in a well-executed and highly enjoyable way which shed light on many of the machinations sort of taken for granted within the creative universe from which it derives.
There's a bunch of just really out there stuff, but it's all woven together excellently! It at time makes very little sense in ways that make perfect sense, which is quintessential 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯.
I look forward to continuing my reading of the entire series. It's intriguing and offers an alternate glimpse into a creative universe arguably crafted with such undertakings and evolutions in mind. 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 is more than one story. It's, in my 23 years of enjoying the series so far- a story of stories within stories- shrouded in esoterica and complex, often heavy human psychology and interpersonal dynamics.
It's rad when a creator manages to create something so complex and compelling that, when you go to describe it, makes no sense. Like, you have to experience it in order to understand it comprehensively- and this generates a fanbase or following that's in turn permitted to spelunk the depths of the questions and ideas it provokes.
Excellent read!
It thoroughly captures the pseudo-religious, philosophical, and psychological intrigue and conflicts that are emblematic of the source material. I got the sense that the author, who isn't the director of the source material (Hideaki Anno), had a much stronger fixation and fascination with engineering and hard science. This gave it a much different, more technically focal lens than the anime series in a well-executed and highly enjoyable way which shed light on many of the machinations sort of taken for granted within the creative universe from which it derives.
There's a bunch of just really out there stuff, but it's all woven together excellently! It at time makes very little sense in ways that make perfect sense, which is quintessential 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯.
I look forward to continuing my reading of the entire series. It's intriguing and offers an alternate glimpse into a creative universe arguably crafted with such undertakings and evolutions in mind. 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 is more than one story. It's, in my 23 years of enjoying the series so far- a story of stories within stories- shrouded in esoterica and complex, often heavy human psychology and interpersonal dynamics.
It's rad when a creator manages to create something so complex and compelling that, when you go to describe it, makes no sense. Like, you have to experience it in order to understand it comprehensively- and this generates a fanbase or following that's in turn permitted to spelunk the depths of the questions and ideas it provokes.
Excellent read!
December 22, 2022
2.5 stars
interesting concept (an alternate timeline where shinji DOES stop the human instrumentality project) but it seems like a bit of a fanfiction of what the author wishes he was. i was unable to believe that their school lives ended up like that, or that shinji has a ponytail (what). the character voices seemed dumbed down and not at all like canon. about half of the time they had a conversation, it matched with their actual characters. i appreciated kaworu’s three words spoken and hikari’s minor minor side plot, and i thought the three extra reis were cool (similar to the magi system being the three version of ritsuko’s mother) and i wish it wasn’t a book aimed for 13 year olds (what are 13 year olds doing reading nge) because a lot of the plot points couldve been expanded on much more. more misato struggling with the end of the human instrumentality project as well as the rest of nerv being trapped in a time bubble wouldve been interesting and i wish it was expanded on more. rei quatre and rei six kissing shinji was weird. the illustrations were good but didn’t work in black and white. easy read and i will be reading the next one ☝️.
interesting concept (an alternate timeline where shinji DOES stop the human instrumentality project) but it seems like a bit of a fanfiction of what the author wishes he was. i was unable to believe that their school lives ended up like that, or that shinji has a ponytail (what). the character voices seemed dumbed down and not at all like canon. about half of the time they had a conversation, it matched with their actual characters. i appreciated kaworu’s three words spoken and hikari’s minor minor side plot, and i thought the three extra reis were cool (similar to the magi system being the three version of ritsuko’s mother) and i wish it wasn’t a book aimed for 13 year olds (what are 13 year olds doing reading nge) because a lot of the plot points couldve been expanded on much more. more misato struggling with the end of the human instrumentality project as well as the rest of nerv being trapped in a time bubble wouldve been interesting and i wish it was expanded on more. rei quatre and rei six kissing shinji was weird. the illustrations were good but didn’t work in black and white. easy read and i will be reading the next one ☝️.
February 2, 2021
I couldn't stop reading the story once it really got going, which is surprising because it's not a great story and one that certainly didn't need to exist. People who know me know that I like the world is Evangelion and of course appreciate returning to it anyway. This is comfort food in book form. Familiar, not challenging, but with some slight changes to the ingredients to make it *a little* more exciting. Sure, why not?
Will I read the other 4 volumes? Uncertain. I got this one on extreme discount, and the price in the long run felt appropriate. Yes, $10 feels like too much for what you get here. Nothing against the author. The whole story, which wasn't an independent project, just seems different for the sake of being different without the heart that drove the original story for me. (Accidentally phrasing it that way it's appropriate considering a key plot element.) Maybe I'll get them others from the library sometime. They're just not a priority.
But it's Eva. So, y'know, I'll get to them at some point.
Will I read the other 4 volumes? Uncertain. I got this one on extreme discount, and the price in the long run felt appropriate. Yes, $10 feels like too much for what you get here. Nothing against the author. The whole story, which wasn't an independent project, just seems different for the sake of being different without the heart that drove the original story for me. (Accidentally phrasing it that way it's appropriate considering a key plot element.) Maybe I'll get them others from the library sometime. They're just not a priority.
But it's Eva. So, y'know, I'll get to them at some point.
July 13, 2020
This is a pretty interesting offshoot of Evangelion that feels more like a continuation of the original series than End of Evangelion. However, there are still some details that are left kind of vague when it comes to what happened in the time between The Battle of Nerv and the start of the story proper, such as the creation of the Ayanami clones as well as how Shinji actually stopped the Human Instrumentality Project.
That said, it's an enjoyable read if you pace yourself and roll with the story's more metaphysical aspects, such as the nature of A.T. Fields and the mechanics behind the engines that power the new Eva models that appear in the story. It does end on a cliffhanger, but that's because the stories were serialized in a magazine from 2007-2013 and developed concurrently with End of Eva. It's spins off from the original 26 episode anime, so you don't need to have seen End of Eva nor the Rebuild films.
That said, it's an enjoyable read if you pace yourself and roll with the story's more metaphysical aspects, such as the nature of A.T. Fields and the mechanics behind the engines that power the new Eva models that appear in the story. It does end on a cliffhanger, but that's because the stories were serialized in a magazine from 2007-2013 and developed concurrently with End of Eva. It's spins off from the original 26 episode anime, so you don't need to have seen End of Eva nor the Rebuild films.
December 10, 2024
Pretty interesting ideas so far. It's an alternate timelime for those not aware. They do a good job of distinguishing characters. They talk about physics a lot throughout the book, which is a little hard to follow if its not your forte. I had started to read it and then shelved it a handful of times before finally finishing it, I just couldn't get into it at first, but it picks up in the middle and end. The designs at the beginning of the book are interesting and the redesigns of the Eva's range from really cool to a little silly (allegorica specifically comes to mind for silly) I'll read the rest of the series but this felt pretty average at best. It's not the worst, but not something to really rave about, either.
June 13, 2022
Are you searching for an Eva fix after the last film? The light novels (so far) are just the ticket. The events of EOE are altered and instrumentality was never initiated- instead Shinji interrupted the proccess (which in the Anima continuity, is centered on Asuka, not him) and Lilith, Gendo, and Ritsuko are absorbed into a strange black orb. The novel picks up like three years later. Misato commands Nerv and Rei III, Asuka, and Shinji are all still pilots however humanity has had peace over the past few years. Obviously, this is going to change- a new giant eva like being appears on the moon and one of three dormant Reis turns rogue. It's a fun ride!
August 9, 2020
una nuova versione del finale di evangelion
dal punto di visto grafico avrei preferito che le immagini bianco/nero fossero più nitide, a volte non si riescono nemmeno a cogliere i profili dei personaggi
l'adattamento a metà, con le schede non tradotte ma con rimandi a fine volume, non mi sembra una scelta scorrevole nella lettura
per il resto, la trama e la traduzione mi sembrano buone, in linea con la storia di evangelion
dato il prezzo non proprio abbordabile mi sarei aspettata un lavoro più preciso... attendiamo il secondo volume
dal punto di visto grafico avrei preferito che le immagini bianco/nero fossero più nitide, a volte non si riescono nemmeno a cogliere i profili dei personaggi
l'adattamento a metà, con le schede non tradotte ma con rimandi a fine volume, non mi sembra una scelta scorrevole nella lettura
per il resto, la trama e la traduzione mi sembrano buone, in linea con la storia di evangelion
dato il prezzo non proprio abbordabile mi sarei aspettata un lavoro più preciso... attendiamo il secondo volume
July 7, 2022
Well this was an interesting Evangelion experience for an old fan. As a kind of "what if?" sequel to the original series, we get a lot of action and Eva remodels and a not-too-sure-what's-going-on-but-that-looks-cool religious imagery, and we also get to see our old favorite characters as more mature and fully trained pilots. I wish there was more introspection for the characters, but there's so much action that there's no time for that. So overall, if you liked Evangelion but wished it had more mecha scenes, pick this series right now!
December 20, 2021
Excellent spin-off and expansion of the Evangelion universe, well worth reading for anyone who wanted to see more from the show and who want to see a progression past End of Evangelion.
Numerous grammatical errors make for a slightly disappointing translation, although can be overlooked in order to enjoy the beginning of a new and interesting story featuring familiar Evangelion characters, with new and improved EVA technology.
Numerous grammatical errors make for a slightly disappointing translation, although can be overlooked in order to enjoy the beginning of a new and interesting story featuring familiar Evangelion characters, with new and improved EVA technology.
March 17, 2023
It's poorly written, it moves way too quickly past the good stuff to relish in its robots and sci-fi jargon, and it's action scene after action scene. Those action scenes, though, propel everything forward. They're tense, they're pretty interesting, they kept me glued. The tone is set and it isn't a great one - less of the cool philosophical stuff and more about robots punching each other - but it's passable. This was readable and I could read the rest and find some enjoyment there, for sure.
February 3, 2020
And I thought the original series was batshit crazy! This takes place 3 years after the events of an alternate ending to the original Evangelion story, and takes the story into a whole new direction.
Interesting, but not essential reading. If you're an Evangelion fan, I'm sure you'll find something to like. If not, you'll probably wonder what the fuck you're reading.
Interesting, but not essential reading. If you're an Evangelion fan, I'm sure you'll find something to like. If not, you'll probably wonder what the fuck you're reading.
January 2, 2020
+ New, "unseen" Eva content is nice
~ Story has the patented WTF feeling of a good Evangelion product
- Events happens too quickly to leave time for characters development
- The Italian translation felt clunky at times
~ Story has the patented WTF feeling of a good Evangelion product
- Events happens too quickly to leave time for characters development
- The Italian translation felt clunky at times
February 2, 2020
I wished I followed Neon Genesis more. I would have understood the book more, if I remembered more about the anime series. The book seemed a bit of a mish-mash, maybe because it was oringially published as short stories. Still it has a lot of action and good characters.
September 13, 2020
Of course the art within the book is beautiful. However some of the events are kiiiinda weird out of left field. I get that the Evas are mysterious and weird but idk. Since it's litterally a book about an anime the pace is fast and silly.
January 22, 2022
Definitely read this series if you want more of NERVE and Shinji. Though despite the change in timelines Shinji is still dense and indecisive at times and the other characters make this story shine too.
December 1, 2019
DNF at the halfway mark. Even allowing for translation, the plot are writing are just too shallow, everything is described and told with copious exposition. Would work better as a manga, maybe.
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