Evangelion Movie: "Death and Rebirth" Articles

The following is a set of articles from Nikkei Entertainment, the August 1997 issue. I am in the process of translating the whole set. The articles are about the Evangelion movie, "Death and Rebirth" and the movie "Princess Mononoke."

The same issue contained an interview with director Hayao Miyazaki (who made "Princess Mononoke") which is also translated here.

"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is the anime that has created the biggest boom since "Gundam." They have left many mysteries in the TV series and the move "Death and Rebirth" that was released this spring, but they will conclude at last with the movie "Air/All My Heart for You" in July. Also, within almost the same time period the movie "Princess Mononoke" is being released, by perhaps Japan's most famous director of anime movies, Hayao Miyazaki. Because Director Hideaki Anno once worked on the staff of Director Miyazaki's masterpiece "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind," it seems fans are spreading the rumor of some sort of "teacher-student rivalry." Of course, there is no connection between these two works. At any rate, both works will surely be movies which receive great attention.

General Director: Hideaki Anno
THE END OF EVANGELION
Neon Genesis Evangelion Movie Edition Air/All My Heart for You
"It would be good if everyone would just die..."
Released July 19th
On the Road to "All My Heart for You" ... p. 24
A 5-Minute Course to Become an Eva Know-It-All ... p.26
An Interview with Yuuko Miyamura, who Plays Asuka... p.28 [translation in progress]
and more

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Princess Mononoke
"Survive."
Released July 12th.
Interview with Hayao Miyazaki; Getting the Facts on His Retirement... p. 30
Why is Tokuma Bookstore Pushing this so Hard? ... p 32 [Not translated yet]

Given the nature of our magazine, there should be very few readers who know nothing of "Eva", who would say, "I've just barely heard of the subject." For such people, read ahead to page 26 and you will probably get a basic understanding.

So, having offered that warning, we will try to take a look back at the movie "Neon Genesis Evangelion, Theatre Edition: Death and Rebirth," which was released on March 15. (1997)

From the beginning, everyone has been saying that the "Death" part of "Death and Rebirth" is a "perfect collection" of the TV series, but it wasn't an easy-to-understand digest edition, as in "Space Battleship Yamato" and "Mobile Soldier Gundam."

Ignoring the timeline of the TV series, the psychological condition of the main characters is shown.... Shocking and exciting scenes are put together as if just randomly shuffled, and nowhere do we see the introduction, development, turn, and conclusion [as in a well-composed Chinese poem]. This is a somewhat unkind thing to do to people who have never seen the TV series. "Death and Rebirth" could be labeled "No first-time customers" because of this.

[Note: "No first-time customers" is a sign on some very conservative restaurants in Japan that only take regular customers and people introduced by regulars.]

The completely new section "Rebirth", is a 24 part continuation -- a story that replaces the final two episodes which gave rise to all sorts of public criticism.

Seele, the upper organization of Nerve (the special duty facility to which the protagonist Shinji Ikari and his friends belong), and Nerve have a complete rupture over bringing about the "Instrumentality of Mankind." Seele attacks to occupy Nerve. Seele's advance soldiers can do this because they are a strategic self-defense force with orders from the Japanese Government. They come to slaughter the Nerve staff one by one.

[Note: "The Human Completion Project" is a literal translation, but Gainax used the term "Instrumentality of Mankind" in their English translation.]

Nerve was cornered, at a disadvantage, but Asuka (who had gone into a state of insanity) awoke to confront this deadly crisis and defeated the strategic self-defense force using Eva device #2. The exasperated Seele decides to throw in nine mass-produced Evas...

The above is a rough idea of the story of the "Rebirth" part. In the midst of all this, Shinji's superior officer Misato Katsuragi gets close to the secrets of Nerve. As a result of this, she finds out that "Humanity also, the same as Adam (the first Angel), has been born as the 18th Angel from the primary living being called Lilith", and the Instrumentality of Mankind is a plan to force "an artificial evolution; since the human race has already come to a dead end in failing to become a colony organism, it will make humanity into the single perfect substance of a living being."

However, as always, the means of carrying out this plan remains a mystery. Perhaps the mystery girl Rei Ayanami is deeply involved, but she does not show the same development as Shinji this time in "Rebirth."

Eventually, some of the mysteries are explained, but the true meaning still remains unknown. Why is it that only "eligible people" can ride an Evangelion? What is the "Dead Sea Scrolls" scenario? What is the connection between Adam and Lilith? Does the "Second Angel", which has never yet been mentioned, exist? What kind of being is Rei Ayanami really?

Really, with the release of the "concluding part" "Air/All My Heart for You", could it be that the mysteries will be completely explained?

The answers will be coming soon. Of course, it's also possible that the answers won't be coming at all...

At first, the "Death and Rebirth" movie released this Spring was to be the conclusion of "Neon Genesis Evangelion."

The announcement that "Death and Rebirth" would have an inconclusive ending was on February 14th, only one month before its release. Anyway, they decided to release the first half in Spring, and have the conclusion in the Summer.

One could well call it a "breach of contract" against the fans who bought tickets in advance. Moreover, it requires them to trek to the theater twice and spend twice what they originally planned.

However, Eva fans were tolerant. Though there were a few critical voices, for the most part they responded favorably, to the extent that one happy fan said "This way, Eva will keep me entertained until Summer."

In making the video LD's of the TV series also, sales have been repeatedly delayed, at present stopping because of retakes. There are a few voices demanding apologies, but the prevailing attitude is "Even if we have to wait a while, it's OK if they can make a better product."

Why are they tolerant even of this? At first, we may conclude that, for recent otaku, the reason is that they have grown accustomed to this kind of situation through the repeated delays in sales in the game industry. Typical examples are the Nintendo 64, for hardware, and Final Fantasy, for software.

But, if we stop and think about it, this story is not restricted to recent otaku.

There are many maniacal fans, like those of the well-known Tatsuo Yamashita, who once (in 1988) unilaterally postponed a concert on the very day it was to be performed, saying "My vocal pitch is off." Far from criticizing this, his fans have been passing it around as a praiseworthy anecdote.

I don't think I am the only one who can see the connection between this and the Eva fans.

For the sake of those coming in as new fans of Evangelion, let's try here to take a rough look back at Eva so far.

An animated TV series (with 26 episodes) broadcast on TV Tokyo Channel from October '95 to March '96. The ratings were only 7.1%, but bit by bit from the second half on it moved up to a central place by word of mouth, and after the broadcasts ended it extended into even more of a boom. The movie is a continuation of the TV series.

The year was 2015 AD. Humanity was barely recovering from a huge disaster of 15 years before called the "Second Impact." However, a fresh menace is attacking them. Giant mystery beings called "Angels" have invaded. Their objective is Neo-Tokyo 3. For some reason, it appears that in this city is "something" that the group of Angels consider important. Nerve, an ultranationalistic organization and a special duties facility, which somehow predicted this crisis, has developed in extreme secrecy the Evangelions (artificial humanoids, general-purpose decisive weapons), which are uniquely capable of opposing the Angels. However, only certain selected 14-year old young men and women are able to pilot these "Evas".

This story is told primarily from the point of view of Shinji Ikari, who was suddenly called to become an Eva pilot against his will by his father, Gendou Ikari, who is the commander of Nerve. Shinji is convinced that he was abandoned by his father when he was very young, and he is extremely frightened by contact with strangers. Also, everyone around him at Nerve likewise carries a wound in their heart and a sickness in their soul.

The final two episodes of the TV series were 25 and 26. The story suddenly totally abandons what had been foreshadowed up to that point, its SF-style development, etc., and ends by depicting only the inner world of the protagonist, Shinji Ikari. Shinji gets a psychological breakthrough, and the curtain closes with the other characters saying "Congratulations" to him. It also includes things like rough, graffiti-like art, and forms of expression so far from normal you can't even call it "experimental"; this kind of ending, with fans instantly spouting out arguments pro and con, became one reason for the increasingly widespread popularity of Eva.

At any rate, related software was selling and selling. The video LD has totalled over 2.5 million in sets of 10 disks, the sound-track edition (album) has sold over one million in sets of three, the three-volume collected comics and the nine-volume film books have totalled 7.7 million copies, and 1.23 million poeple have gone to see the movie "Neon Genesis Evangelion Movie: Death and Rebirth" from when it was released in March.

Besides this, if we add in the plastic models and related goods, it easily breaks through the 30 billion yen mark. Furthermore, the TV series video LD's are not yet all sold and the movie edition packages are not yet on sale. Who can say how long the sales will continue?

In December of '84, a group of SF fans in the Osaka area got together. From a period of being amateurs their value increased to being an independent anime producer. Representative works are the animated TV series "Nadia of the Mysterious Seas" (1990, on NHK), and the child-rearing simulation game "Princess Maker" (1991). Since they also have a home page (http://www.gainax.com.jp/), people who are interested might like to take a look.

Gendou Ikari. Shinji Ikari's father. The supreme commander of the special task-force Nerve. He holds the true keys to the mystery tightly in his grasp.

Shinji Ikaki. The protagonist. Summoned by his father Gendou to be the exclusive operator of Eva device #1. Passive in relationships because of his introversion.

Rei Ayanami. The taciturn exclusive operator of Eva device #0. Her past, upbringing, etc., are concealed. Is she really a clone?

Asuka Langley Souryuu. Exclusive operator of Eva device #2. Hates to lose. When she was very young, she witnessed her mother's nervous breakdown and suicide.

It is said that at present the number of DVD players that have been sold is about 100 thousand. As for the movies, in May 1997 there were only 200 titles.

Someone connected to the consumer electronics industry said they are hoping "it will become a trigger for the spread of DVD," and so on July 19th volume 1 of the Eva videos will be offered for sale. In the first period of five volumes, episodes 1-20 of the TV series will be recorded four to a volume, and they will be released one per month.

The contents, besides the work itself, include an explanation of Eva terminology, sound scripts, and descriptions of cast and staff profiles.

The jacket appears to be original artwork by the director responsible for Eva's art quality, Shunji Suzuki. For intense fans, this will inevitably become a collector's item.

Therefore, it seems like there will be many fans who will want the DVD's also, even if they already have the videos and LD's.

Besides, even for the quoted price of 6,600 yen for four episodes, demand exists (the LD costs 5,631 yen with 2 episodes).

If it really becomes a "trigger," this will be one more thing to increase the legend of Eva.

As with Megumi Hayashibara of "Ranma 1/2," and Kotono Mitsuishi and Aya Hisakawa of "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon" before, a group of new, nearly "untouched" voice actors have grown along with their production and have been enjoying immense popularity.

Among the ranks of the "Eva" players, one could say that Yuuko Miyamura matches this pattern. As almost the only "new person", she has made her break in the role of Asuka Langley Souryuu in a difficult lone battle. It could well be said that her energy had no small part in bringing about Eva's popularity.

Now, having transcended the bounds of "Eva", voice actress Yuuko Miyamura, "Miyamu-", has become a popular figure with anime fans, and she has given us this interview.

Miyamura: I'm still really new to television series and there were always more experienced actors around me. Especially in Eva with its adult drama, I have learned a lot from the acting and many talents of the experienced actors.

Also, because Asuka was completely finished by losing her mind in the TV series, I also got into a similar mental state; the stress built up and I suffered from bulemia for a while. Now when I play Asuka she becomes a pattern for my real life also.

Interviewer: The movie ends with Asuka surrounded by an overwhelming number of enemies. There seem to be many who say they expect a tragic development of some sort...

Miyamura: It seems like I've been getting all sorts of speculations. (Laugh). Sometimes I'm asked about the sequel, but really I know nothing at all about it. (Editorial department note: This interview was on May 19, before the movie was recorded). For myself, I try to keep from thinking about it (Asuka's future) as much as possible.

Interviewer: Miss Miyamura, before now, your roles where a character dies...

Miyamura: Just recently, I did one in a CD drama called "Vice" (Marine Entertainment). That was a role with a death by skinning... as you might expect, it was very hard psychologically. Once I was doing the recording, the tension built up because of my interaction with the other actors. Thanks to that, I was wiped out after the death scene. (Laugh). Afterwards, when I went out to dinner with everyone, I felt like I shouldn't be there at all, that I shouldn't be talking (because I was dead). It's because I'm the type that gets completely into a role.

Interviewer: Do you find the characters you portray unexpectedly popping out in ordinary life?

Miyamura: Especially during the TV series, because I was doing voice synchronizations one episode per week, I began to synch up with her little by little, so that happened sometimes.

I played the tomboy Hinagiku in the series "Love Angel Legend Wedding Peach" (on Tokyo TV from 95-96), and that time it seemed like I became sloppy in my daily life also....

Now, I'm playing the role of Natsuki Sasahara in "Hyper-Police" (now being broadcast on Tokyo TV). Because she spaces out a lot, I'm getting feelings like "Oh well" myself. With this role, I might be closest to my own personality.

Interviewer: As for your activities other than voice acting, it looks like your photo collections and live performances are also very popular, aren't they?

Miyamura: I am able to extend my range as a person who expresses herself, and I also enjoy doing it. While there's a demand, I want to take advantage of the opportunity to do all sorts of things.

Interviewer: For example, have you given serious thought to musical activities?

Miyamura: In my case, there isn't any of that. First of all, I've come out to Tokyo to study for a play, and I think that I live to be an actress. Even when I'm singing it's as a character, and I want to carefully express myself as if I were that character. Whatever I do, I want it to be based in performance.

Yuuko Miyamura. Born April, 1972. From Hyougo prefecture. Height: 157 cm, Weight: 43 kg. Blood type: O. Qualification: 3rd level calligraphy. Special skills: talking to herself, numchucks. Major work: Souryuu Asuka Langrey in the TV anime "New Century Evangelion" (Tokyo TV). That character's most famous line is "Are you craazy?".

An earlier Newtype article, published before the show was released in Japan, with character descriptions.

Another Newtype article, published after episode 19 was released in Japan.

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Evangelion Movie: "Death and Rebirth" Articles