Ranked #179

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Manga)

Most likely of why you're here is because you just finished the anime known as "Neon Genesis Evangelion" and simply want more, more beyond than what the Rebuild movies could ever provide for you! Curious ol' you now wonders, "Is it even worth reading this manga?" Granted, it is assumed you really enjoyed the anime series to even consider it. Otherwise, if you're one of the ones that didn't like Neon Genesis Evangelion to begin with (and that's okay!), you'll for the most part see exactly what you were offered in the anime and thus you might want to steer clear of this manga.
Now, for the ones that did express genuine interest in NGE, I would highly recommend this manga title, without a doubt! What you get on the surface is basically the exact same story and characters shown in the series. So why read it if it is basically the same as the anime? Is there anything different?
Well! To start off with, imagine getting to know most of the characters more in depth than you would of in NGE. Rei for instance is much more talkative, yet at the same time, she retains that secretive and quiet personality witnessed in the anime. For someone like me, this manga helped me find Rei to be a more likable character because of the fact I get to see more interaction in relation to herself and the other characters from her end! Plus, the relationship development between Rei and Shinji is much more developed throughout the manga, which gives you a glimpse beyond the obedient 'doll'. Asuka is still her feisty self, and in some regard, she's even more feisty, so if you loved Asuka already, you should have no issue loving her even more! Don't worry, her background story is still included too. Shinji is also relatively the same person as well, the self-loathing, depressed, hopeful, rebellious, and redeeming young man that makes Shinji, Shinji!
Still curious? Alright!
When it comes to the story, as mentioned before, is for the most part, untouched. But! How it comes out differently is exhibited in three ways:

1) Take for example, in the first chapter, the first Angel that Shinji lays eyes upon for the first time, is squaring it off with Rei in an Evangelion. While this was not shown in the anime, it does not hinder the expected outcome, in which case, the expected outcome is for Shinji to show up in front of the Evangelion for his first fight. That added detail helps reinforce the forthcoming situations and events to be better executed. So whenever Shinji sees Rei bandaged up and injured prior to agreeing to pilot Eva, the reader now understands why Rei is so shaken up: she was trying to fend off the Angel! In general, the outcome will be the same in the manga, but how it gets there is altered in some way, and mostly it's for the better!

2) A LOT more is explored than originally shown from the anime. Want more background information on Kaji? You got it! You want to get a glimpse into what Rei really thinks about Gendo in scenes that the anime kept hidden from you? You got it! You want to see more of the daily life Shinji had with his friends? You bet! You want to peer even more into Shinji's mind during those "events"? You guessed it! It even gives more light to Kaworu Nagisa's character and his relationship to Shinji and what his personality is like than the brief encounter that you saw in NGE or in End of Evangelion.

3) This manga assumes you have watched the series. It is evident because certain events are briefly covered as it was already something explored in the series. This happens rarely though since what is omitted (besides some of the battles of course) is overshadowed by the amount of content I mentioned in points 1 and 2. In essence, if you have seen the anime series, it shouldn't be a bother when certain events or background information is mentioned briefly.

There are few gripes I had with this manga though. Some included minor story details that I preferred in the anime series (won't mention them in this review of course) or certain parts of the story were left out. Others included such examples like Touji coming across as being a hillbilly-like character, which I don't think was a heavy trait in the series as much as the manga portrays Touji to be; the series seemed to have given Touji a more serious attitude with less immature-like qualities than what the manga offered. Of course however, these issues weren't distracting enough to hinder my overall personal enjoyment.

Overall, this manga is perfect for the NGE fan wanting to continue on with even more exploration into the story and character development that creates NGE! Feel free to drop me a line if you found this review useful or inaccurate to what you experienced~ read more

Has decided to make the review of this manga so it has very strongly hooked on me. First I always liked a theme of psychology, strangenesses, etc. (and Evangelion I consider as the best psychological anime/manga, that proves numerous interrogations) and secondly I would like to learn history on manga. And I have not regretted. Even those moments, characters, an outcome of a story, incomprehensibility of a story, incompleteness of a story, "not up to disclosing" of characters and other, other, that in TV or Movie initially have not liked me with perusal manga completely have exchanged (and favourite only were grew fond)
As to manga in itself it is the best manga from those that I while has read through / saw. Besides that it in itself interesting and grasping, and most "readable", in comparison with others "creative" mangs.


Story: 9 (because manga still is issued)
Art: 10 (besides that art in itself class, and is made so, that all the actions occuring in manga) (no are clear absolutely all)
Character: 10 (as even in comparison with TV or Movie any character given manga is opened much better and more clearly to the reader.)
Enjoyment: 10 (to those people to whom the theme of psychology simply not is interesting can to not put "10" :-), especially such legend as Evangelion.)
Overall: 10 (*read above listed items)))))) read more