Talk about serendipity. I was trying to find another series to watch after finishing FLCL and it turns out that  the same friend I borrowed that DVD from also had the complete box set of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION in his possession. It’s a nice coincidence for me, seeing as how I didn’t realize both shows were by Gainax until somebody pointed the fact out to me in the talkbacks for one of my reviews. Actually, it’s probably not much of coincidence, given that they’re both included in the ranks of the most successful and critically-acclaimed anime. It’d be like watching two Pixar movies in a row and crying, “Coincidence!” Eva (as I understand is the cool way to refer to this show) has been built up to me for more than decade. In my mind, it’s been constructed to be no less than a life-changing philosophical mediation on the meaning of existence, itself.  My only exposure so far has been limited to when I borrowed a high school friend’s copy of one of the manga volumes in high school. The story of that particular volume concerned two of the pilots learning how to ballet dance as a means to be better mecha fighters. I thought it was rather silly. That same friend also enthusiastically showed me some sequence from the manga where the main character was jerking off next to hospital bed of an unconscious pilot who was, it was explained to me, his big crush. I though that was rather gross. But I’m an adult, now (at least, I think so) and I like to believe my mind is more open that it was, then, so I’m diving into this show with great enthusiasm! The animation’s been fantastic so far and I love the designs of the mecha. I remember my high school friend telling me that the philosophy behind their look is to convey “constricted force” and that definitely comes across. These designs look like hurricanes wrapped up by leather belts. Not much has happened, so far, but I like where it’s going, although I do have to say I’m always amused by the leaps in protocol for stories like these. So, the fate of the city’s hanging in the balance, right? And we’re just going to drop this kid into a walking weapon of mass destruction without giving him any training whatsoever, got it? That’s responsible. I’m sure he’s going to save the day, though. -- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Comics and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Pre-order the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover now on Amazon.com.
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