Reviews

If your favourite part of Evangelion was the religious imagery and lore, then you're in luck, because Anima certainly delivers in that aspect. Due to being in a novel format, Anima has the freedom to have lots of intriguing ideas that an anime wouldn't have the time to flesh out. The lore and mysteries of the original series (such as what exactly SEELE is) are expanded on in a way that feels consistent with Evangelion as a whole. The Christian references are more involved, prominent, and meaningful (though still fairly aesthetic and surface-level), and the global impact of the events is explored -- something the original series merely alluded to. As is the case with the Rebuilds, the psychological drama and existential angst of the original series are toned down in Anima, which works in Anima's favour because there can be a greater focus on action and lore. The ending is not all-out happy (after all, this is Evangelion), but it's not depressing and dark either. A bigger issue is that the ending feels rushed, and there's very little payoff (of any kind) and catharsis for the reader, which furthers the point that Anima is meant to be read for more Evangelion action and lore -- and more of that is never a bad thing.

If you love Evangelion and want more Evangelion between the manga, original series, and Rebuilds, Anima fills this niche. It feels like a natural extension of the original series and Rebuilds, which makes it all the more enjoyable.