Neon Genesis Evangelion - The Manga

Title: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Japanese Title: Shin Seikei Evangelion (New Genesis Evangelion)

Author/Artist: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

First Publication: 1995

Japanese Publisher: Shonen Ace/Kadokawa Shoten

Number of Volumes: 10 (12 are planned)

American Publisher: Viz

Genre: Shonen, Mecha, Drama

Major Characters:

Shinji: The insecure son of the Evangelion Project's prime engineer, Shinji is unwittingly recruited to become an Evangelion pilot, and perhaps, a hero.

Rei: The first Japanese Eva pilot; she's a highly introverted child with ties to Shinji's father, as well as a mysteriously absent past.

Asuka: A half Japanese half German pilot, she's an extravert who's bravado conceals a deeply troubled childhood.

The Story so Far...

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a manga based on the popular animated series of the same name. Unlike most manga that go on to inspire animation, the Evangelion anime was created before the manga. As such, it provides an alternate look at the events of the show. As of 2008, the Neon Genesis Evangelion manga still hasn't been completed, but it has already delved farther into the psyche of the protagonist the anime ever dared to.

The action of Evangelion takes place in a future Tokyo. The city has been rebuilt after a ruinous "second impact" causes cataclysmic floods that devastate the world. However, Tokyo still isn't safe, as it has recently come under attack by dangerous alien beings known as "Angels".

A scientist named Gendou believes he holds the key to combating the angels, and rescuing Tokyo. Within a complex military control center he helps create giant mechanical beings known as "Evangelions". These robots are meant to be piloted by humans, and are designed to attack the Angels that plague Tokyo.

For reasons kept confidential, the Evangelions must be piloted by 14 year olds; children born during the period of the first destructive impact. Gendou employs the help of his son, Shinji, in piloting one of the robots.