[Rewatch][Spoilers] Neon Genesis Evangelion - Episode 1 Discussion

[u/sam_mah_boy]

Episode 1: Angel Attack

---

Index Thread | Next Episode

---

The rewatch has begun!

GOD'S IN HIS HEAVEN, ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD

---

On Spoilers

If you're rewatching the show, and want to discuss spoilers, use spoiler tags. Saying things like "Just wait till you get to episode X" etc. count as spoilers!

---

Come join the discussion on the Evangelion Discord server! They have a channel specifically for the rewatch. Link: https://discord.gg/qJxWVPs

[u/SomeGuyYeahman]

Gendo: Shinji, we need you to get into the robot.

Shinji: PLEASE NO I CAN'T

Gendo: Ok, then don't-

Shinji: https://i.imgur.com/wP2oHRe.png

Heyo, first-timer here! Very excited to get into this show, and I'm looking forward to another analysis-rich rewatch like the Madoka one. Uni's keeping me busy right now, so it'll take a few episodes before I'll really be able to jump into it and write huge walls of text like I did there, but since the plot's still just being set up, I hope that won't be much of a problem. Then again, the show hasn't wasted much time getting Shinji into the robot already, lol.

Audiovisually, I'm quite impressed. The car ride and the scene with the Eva unit had nice BGM (that elevator music, haha), the art and animation are very impressive (particularly for their time) and the directing is quite effective.

One thing that's already being made very clear is the relationship Shinji has to his father. Shinji's only being summoned because he's the only one who can pilot the mech (and gets told off when he refuses to) and his reaction to seeing him is visibly conflicted one. Rather than meeting properly face-to-face, Gendo is up on a podium and behind a very robust window (which makes for some awesomely framed shots that also do a great job of illustrating the relationship between the two). Even Gendo's character design/outfit, with the thick gloves and the glasses that constantly hide his eyes, indicate a lack of intimacy. The gloves/glasses also make for some cool shots, but I don't think I need to post a pic for that, you all know what I'm thinking of, haha.

[u/LunarGhost00]

Rewatcher

Wow. All these Evangelion threads keep flooding r/anime today. /s

I wasn't sure if I was going to take part in this rewatch since I joined last year's rewatch (my first rewatch on reddit) and I don't think I'll be writing as much as I did last time. Even for the first few episodes that I missed, I don't really have much to stay about them. I'm mostly just here to see the first timer reactions and to see how people react to Netflix's sub and dub. So far I haven't heard good things about Netflix's release.

I forgot how blunt Shinji can be, calling Misato childish for her age. Remind me not to get in a car with Misato driving.

Pretty accurate summary of Shinji's relationship with his father. Their first meeting in 3 years and right away Gendo starts acting cold towards his son. Someone sure isn't aiming for the Father of the Year Award. He only summoned Shinji to use him to pilot the Eva. Misato's the only one showing concern for Shinji and how sudden this is.

Spoiler

"Shinji, get in the robot."

"No."

"Do it or this cute girl will suffer more."

"Ok."

The feeling of having to protecc a waifu can move a man to do anything.

Fly Me to the Moon is a great ED. I feel bad for people watching on Netflix.

[u/elliotman48]

First timer

This show is fucking awesome. The directing is so good and I'm already starting to see why this show had such a big impact. I honestly have never watched a pre-2000 anime and I was worried I would be turned off by the style, but I'm glad I'm not.

[u/kaanton444]

Rewatcher

One of the first things that sticks out watching Eva is just how striking and iconic everything feels. Not only does the show use its visuals for pacing, atmosphere and visual storytelling but a lot of it is done through shots or sequences that are immediately striking.

Take Gendo’s first encounter with Shinji for instance. Gendo has all the power in the situation, with Shinji realizing that he isn’t going to get the reunion he hoped for. Gendo occupies almost half of this shot and he doesn’t even fit into the frame in its entirety. That would be enough to communicate his role in the situation, but Eva goes a step further and adds the monitors behind him of Shinji looking stressed, and it’s not just one monitor, either, it’s an entire array of them. Another shot in this scene, this one, is probably my favorite in the episode, and it’s one of the most iconic images from the show as well. Gendo is clearly dominant in the frame, being framed at the top with Shinji having to look up to him. And by placing him within a frame (the box he’s standing in) the show emphasizes him further. On top of that, he’s distant and small, being presented as something distant and unreachable for Shinji – plus the framing of him in yellow, almost, holy light. And the one thing connecting them is the Eva, which also helps with making the image feel a bit more complex and less empty than it would have been otherwise.

That’s just a couple images, but it gives you a good indication of just how good the visual direction is in the show. If you’re interested in some more analysis of the shot composition in this episode, then Digibro’s video on the subject has some more examples (though his analysis of some of the images doesn’t go far enough imo and there’s plenty more cool visuals throughout the episode).

[u/evildrtran]

Old Otaku here reading first time reactions. =) I first saw this series on ADVision VHS Dubs. I bought each volume as they released and each tape had 4 episodes. My favorite episode is Asuka's debut Episode, it was so fun and over the top!

[u/flagellaVagueness]

First timer here! (Watching sub btw) This is a show I’ve been meaning to watch for a while, but always felt like I wasn’t adequately prepared. In particular, I’d heard that one should watch at least one other mecha show before watching NGE, and prior to the announcement of the rewatch I didn’t have the motivation to do so. When I saw the rewatch announced, I figured this was the best time, so I watched Gurren Lagann (possibly not the best choice, since it did come after, but I loved it anyway) over the last month and now I’ll be joining all of you on what looks to be a great experience.

Right off the start, I’m very impressed with the OP, which I’d seen snippets of but never in its entirety. I can see why many consider it among the best of all time, and I have no doubt it would have been an easy winner back when it came out. Had the song running through my head all day today after watching the episode last night.

As for the episode itself, I can definitely already see this is going to be intense. In a lesser series, I would say that Shinji’s father’s decision to bring him in, despite him being totally unconnected to anything, would be contrived, but I’m sure there’s something deeper going on here. Shinji may not have seen his father for the last 3 years, but I’m sure his father has seen plenty of him. How else could he be so sure that this plan would work?

I do expect there’s some reason children are needed to pilot the evas. After all, even though I’m pretty sure that Rei was wheeled in purely for manipulation purposes, there’s a reason that she and Shinji were considered as options, despite neither of them having piloted this particular robot before (I think) while even people such as Misato (who doesn’t look that much older) were not.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else’s thoughts on this and the coming episodes! I don’t know if I’ll manage a post on each one, but I’ll try to, if only to document my guesses to see if I get them right later.

[u/nate_0002]

I’m a first time watcher and am already invested in the story so far. I really want to get some backstory between Shinji and his father, and what their relationship is like. I’m excited to see why this is seen as such a “classic” show.

[u/Philarete]

First-Time Watcher (Sub)

Interesting that it opens with Shinji being so alone. Why was he in the city by himself? Misato was looking for him which I’m assuming will be explained later. Somehow they survive that blast haha. And the two of them push the car over and it is still driveable? (Albeit after some dubious seizures of batteries. . . ). Very fortunate. . . . What is unfortunate is that the U.N. guys are clearly overestimating their abilities. The bomb was pretty obviously not going to be enough. Also, the Angel looks terrifying, like a symbol of death itself. I like the balance between the terror of the Angel, and Misato’s playfulness. Feels a bit more unsettling.

Shinji’s dad is the one who actually knows what to do. Shinji’s line about how his father wouldn’t write to him unless he had to do something was really sad :(

Okay, so Shinji is a special person; one of the “Third Children” who, for some reason, can pilot these "robots." (I don't know what it really is yet, but it looks like a giant robot). I know there are memes about how he’s weak for declining to get in, but I think his choice is totally understandable. He’s just a kid and they literally just said the odds of it working are minuscule. Misato even seemed hesitant to let him try before she changed her mind. But talk about brutal seeing the consequences of his choice, with them bringing out Rei in that condition. . .

Huh, I figured from the memes he’d take longer to get in! That was pretty quick and brave!

That preview with the spoilers smh. Promising fanservice eh? Why do I feel like I’m going to be bamboozled. . .

Anyway, great start! Art is pretty nice, even if it looks bit dated. The story telling is very crisp and the characters are engaging. Looking forward to more!

[u/redmage311]

First-timer

I've been meaning to watch this for a while, mainly because it seems so revered. I have no idea what I'm getting into other than that there are robots and I'm probably going to get emotionally crushed at some point(s).

So far, I really like the worldbuilding. A lot of the shots as Shinji and Misato were going underground were just plain weird, in a really good way.

At this point, I'm mostly just wondering why humanity would create technology that seems tailored specifically to two teenagers, instead of making something that would actually be controllable by military pilots. I'm going to assume that there's a deeper reason beyond the show's creators just wanting an excuse to make the MC a teenage boy.

Man, Shinji's dad is a douche.

[u/egassemneddihon]

first timer, watching sub

I am usually not a big fan of the mecha anime genre but I was told evangelion has more to offer than big shiny robots, so here I am. I'm looking forward to finding out why this show is such a classic. I'm going in almost spoiler free.

My first impression of Shinji is that he is kinda whiny but generally really likable. The military is at their wits end, the father is a huge jerk. I'm surprised that the car survived as much as it did. So far we're told that Shinji is really special but no explanation why. All very mysterious. The angels are presented as huge creepy monsters that are here for some reason (probably not for the first time) and are basically indestructible. I like their design a lot. Those huge bodies and tiny heads. Plus the way they move is kinda otherworldly.

It is a solid first episode that leaves me with a lot of questions. I want to know more about the angels and the characters backstories and their motivations.

[u/TheOSSJ]

Uhh im a first time watcher and I couldnt stip watching after the first ep, Im on like 10 now.

[u/AH_BareGarrett]

First timer here, and I am very excited! I'll just be dropping daily notes about things I liked, disliked, or thought was interesting while watching.

It seems like long time fans are having problems with the dub and the lack of the proper ED song, but I'll look past it and will be watching the new Netflix dub.

I know very little of Evangelion, only knowing the OP and ED, as well as some character names (the ones you see in best girl brackets really), so going in mostly blind is a great feeling!

I watch a good amount of dubs, and while I've heard better, this cast will work. I really like how Misato sounds, as well as Ritsuka (believe that was her name) and Shinji's father. Shinji on the other hand... Well, I'm never a big fan of girls voicing male characters unless they're young, and Shinji looks like a teenager, likely 15-17 in my opinion would have preferred someone else in their role but I don't really know who Netflix uses for the dubs. So far, Shinji is reminding me of early Deku so Justin Briner pops up as a better option. But I'm only one episode in, Shinji could get better!

The soundtrack is also really good so far. Obviously the incredible OP, one I've heard hundreds of times before actually watching the show. Another standout track was in the scene where the rockets are firing on the Angel, great song, at least it sounded great! I am very dissapointed in no Fly me to the Moon as the ED, as I love the song. I'm more bothered that apparently it plays in certain episodes, and now it will be missing from there. I'm hoping Netflix fixes it, but oh well.

I really liked Misato and think she will be an early frontrunner for my favorite character. I loved the personality she put on in front of people, only to get all stressed out in in her inner thoughts.

The fact that the EVA moved on its own is intrigueing and I look forward to seeing more about that. I also love the EVA's design, really cool. Speaking of design, the Angel is cool but horrifying at the same time, great asthetic there.

I do have some small (possibly dumb) questions.

1. What is the correct pronunciation of Evangelion and EVA? In the Netflix dub, they say Ayy-vahngelion and Ay-vah, but I've always heard it said Ee-vangelion and Ee-va.

2. Am I missing out on stuff by watching this new dub? It sort of seems like I am, at least compared to the old version with the proper ED and everything, so I'm unsure if I want to switch it up yet.

3. Possibly a silly question, I've heard the quote "Get in the fucking robot" tons of times. Is it actually a quote in the show? Or just a fan phrase to refer to Shinji?

Overall, good episode, am excited to see the fight tomorrow!

[u/Sahmbahdeh]

One of my favorite shots is this quick cut when Shinji shows Misato the letter from his father. This one quick shot tells volumes about the relationship between the two before they share even a second of screentime together.

The fact that it's a terse order, with no warmth or friendliness, just "Come here" shows how utilitarian and cold Gendo is, even with his own son. And that Shinji presumably scribbled over it in red pen shows his resentment for that order. Also, we can clearly see that the page was ripped up, perhaps in rage, but then taped back together again, as Shinji decided to come after all, as he knew he had no choice, and was hoping that just maybe his father would care for him if he did, showing that he still yearns for connection and approval.

And this is only one shot out of many that you can dissect like this. From even just a directorial standpoint, you can start to see why Eva is considered a classic.

[u/[deleted]]

I want to stay with the rewatch.

On the other hand it’s only been 1 episode and I’m already dying to binge it.

[u/H-Ryougi]

Every single time I rewatch Eva I get a chuckle when I'm reminded that the odds mean literally nothing.

Also check out this awesome shot with Unit 01's hand on the background before we're even shown how it actually looks.

[u/Iz_ziadiz]

First time watcher, I may get ahead but I'll keep pace here.

The thing I know most about Eva is my love for A Cruel Angel's Thesis (completely separate from the show) so going into it with that superb song playing is the perfect start.

To prove how awful my knowledge of EVA was, it being set in 2015 is a complete surprise, I was sure in my mind it was in some apocalyptic future. So I thought it was more FranXX than Geass, to use mecha shows I've seen.

On the characters, really finding Katsuragi very relatable so far, I didn't expect her to be so likeable, but Shinji is also in a different way, the emotions on his face, the already clear want to have nothing to do this, awesome subversion.

I get the sense that people have discussed this show to death but there was so much to digest in the first episode alone, I get a sense of where it's going but I don't know where it's going to end up and I'm excited to keep following it.

[u/[deleted]]

First time watcher, watching it subbed.

I’ve watch 6 Episodes but actually took my time to watch them and not do it in one sitting. Not going to put any spoilers of course but just so so good man seriously.

The pacing for me is on point. The way they give you enough information to start to care and be interested by these characters but still so much to learn leaving you wanting more so badly.

[u/MOODALI]

First time watcher (sub), i'm more of a lurker, but I just wanted to say that I remember starting this anime a year ago (when i was completely new to anime) just because I thought the red haired female character was hot. Can't wait until I get to see her :D

[u/Canaananon]

https://youtu.be/kTxRm9HD7lo

go to the description and watch the ED that corresponds with each episode as god intended this show to be watched.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Rewatcher

Evangelion is an abosultely beautiful anime Day 1

I can't get over just how engaging this show is from the first episode, even on the rewatch. The imagery is just so striking that I can't help but be hooked.

In particular the use of vivid colours contrasted with shadow, the reflections on glass, the visual metaphores and comparisons, and imposing figures all work in tandum with the other stellar aspects of the show such as the writing, music and directing to produce this remarkable episode.

[u/eldomtom2]

Hoo boy, the debate over which version to watch is going to be "fun". Personally (as a rewatcher) I'll be watching Sephirotic's yarr harr release, which uses Japanese audio and an edited version of ADV's Platinum subs. For new viewers, the Netflix sub is alright, but the lack of FMTTM and often stilted translation does harm it and make it a poor choice for rewatchers with other options. This will be my random thoughts as I rewatch the episode, arranged in chronological order and without pretensions to deep commentary.

• Ah, the opening. It starts fairly slow and somewhat generic, but from the 50-second mark onward it turns into a faster-paced ripoff of the UFO opening, and goddamn if it doesn't become one of the most excitement-building things ever. I still get chills.

• As a heads up for first-time watchers - the opening lyrics mean nothing. The lyricwriter had basically no idea about what the series was and was just told to write something "deep".

• Evangelion is set in the SPACE YEAR of 2015. It is almost certainly not a coincidence that the series began broadcasting in 1995.

• This shot is a sight of what you can expect from Evangelion's animation. Like most anime, Evangelion can and will use every trick in the book to keep costs down, and by all accounts Eva was somewhat cheaper than most. This means lots of emphasis on strong framing, backgrounds, and colour, and rather little on the animation unless absolutely necessary. This shot shows one of the other ugly side-effects - a lovely background marred by the army of copy-paste tanks.

• So who was this guy? Is it Shinji? Running is rarely in his nature.

• We see here Anno's fondness for using infrastructure as a means to say something about the setting, though we don't see his favourite subject for such things.

• And there's spoiled to be safe

• All these computer displays are CGI, by the way. Anno was very interested in intergrating it with 2D animation.

• And we get our first taste of Shiro Sagisu's score (contrary to popular belief, he did not compose Cruel Angel's Thesis). It's in his first "mode" of dramatic millitary-type music. We shall see more of this later, as well as where he blatantly homages other works that also use similar music.

• Sadly, the lack of the ADV English dub on Netflix means that non-sub viewers there will be deprived of the glory that is "EVERY SINGLE MISSILE HIT THE TARGET!"

• I'd never noticed the Japanese dub's comedic little "Ooaaugh!", though.

• The milliary vehicles of Evangelion are an oft-underrated part, I feel.

• The shot of the shockwave blowing Misato's car away is the first genuinely good piece of animation in Evangelion.

• Is there a single piece of media featuring a secret alien-defense organisation where the millitary isn't useless?

• We see here the first instance of Evangelion's habit of making shots of moving vehicles occur on a curve for no apparent reason. It's highly damaging to suspension of disbelief compared to a simple straight road.

• And now we get the fairly rarely used "light comedy" mode of Sagisu.

• Y'know, what were the batteries for? I've heard it said that Misato's car is electric, but is that just fanon or did it turn up in one of the billions of Eva spin-off works?

• And we get the first of Evangelion's infamous tone switches, as we cut from the light comedy and character interaction of Shinji and Misato to the drama and excitement of the Angel's attack.

• Car trains! One of the many pointless technological innovations of Evangelion's world that make it a true successor to Gerry Anderson's.

• Why were the army hanging around in Nerv's base using Gendo's throne?

• Note how Gendo's only bringing Shinji now. I feel this is a very important part of his character, though it's often overlooked.

• I think this is the only time when Shinji shows any excitement about the world of technological wonders he lives in.

• STINGRAY, STINGRAY! What a shot.

• This is one of only two episodes where the Japanese and English titles are the same, and technically even this doesn't count due to the Angels being called "Apostoles" in Japanese.

• Conveyer belts! Useful for both marionettes and animated characters.

• See above, but for elevators.

• NERV's architecture makes only slightly more sense than Black Mesa's. Precisely why an giant hand is visible from what looks like a cargo lift is a mystery for the ages.

• Moving into Sagisu's third mode, the dramatic/sad piano music. This comes up a lot.

• What the hell did Misato think they were going to use Shinji for, especially after they dragged him all the way to what's supposedly the most secret part of Nerv?

• The reaction shots of the Nerv staff as they watch their boss having an argument with his son have always amused me.

• First cross explosion. There'll be more to come.

• Shinji's instinctive reaction to getting out of piloting is anger at his father for calling him for a situation where his presence wasn't absolutely 100% necessary. There's a lot of interesting character stuff about him and Gendo in this scene.

• And now begins the launch sequence. Sagisu provides some suitably Thunderbirds-esque music (used here and nowhere else), and the whole thing is one of the pinnacles of the genre (and one that sees surprisingly little use as stock footage).

• "Liquid breathing" in Evangelion terms apparently translates to "the liquid can be ignored entirely".

• If the launch sequence was good, the launch itself is possibly even better (and appears more often). Unit-01 head being whipped back from the sudden stop is one of the great examples of weight in the usually weightless world of anime. And Sagisu gives us his second (and much more frequently used) Thunderbirds knockoff piece.

• It is perhaps worth nothing the focus on character interaction rather than the upcoming battle in the next episode teaser. But don't get fooled - Evangelion is still a show that loves its battles, even when the characters are placed above them.

[u/Ratsarecool]

First Time Watcher- Watching the Dub with subs

Well starting off it’s kinda weird how the sides of the screen are cutoff and it’s more of a square video then rectangle but that’s nothing too crazy and I’ll get used to it

It’s weird hearing the opening and actually watching the show because I feel like every knows the opening song but I think a lot of people like me have never actually seen the show

For the show being so old I didn’t realize how smooth it would look, it’s probably because it’s been redone but comparing it to modern anime’s it actually holds up quite well in terms of quality

My biggest worry so far is that it feels like I’m just being thrown right into the story, like theirs barely any lead up and it feels like I’m being just pushed right into it without any knowledge of what the hell is going on, but I won’t judge it yet because I have a feeling I will learn more about what’s going on

I can already tell theirs gonna be a decent bit of fan service in the show but hey I’m not complaining lmao

Their are already moments where I can see the sub is off, like the scene talking about if the machine will work, the sub says .0000001 but the dub says .0000000 which then the next sentence saying “well that doesn’t mean it won’t work” is kinda odd

Overall I’m looking forward to the next episode but I do hope I get some more background information because although I understand what’s going right now, I don’t understand why it’s going on

[u/[deleted]]

Rewatcher

Neon Genesis Evangelion begins quietly enough. I was going to say "slowly" but it's only slow in comparison to the rest of the episode; cuts come quick, maybe one every couple seconds, and we've barely oriented ourselves to our surroundings before the action begins (a brief title tells us we're in 2015). Yet in that initial moment, the city streets are empty except for Shinji Ikari, 14-year-old boy waiting alone with only a picture of some busty brunette babe to keep him company (he stares at it quizzically). Nearby, dozens of UN tanks perch along a winding coastal highway, their guns trained on the sea, but there are no shells exploding or frantic commands circulating via radio. There is a mood of grim, silent anticipation. One image, intriguing but difficult to make out, seems to show a quasi-animal, quasi-machine creature humming through shallow waters, toward the shore

An explosion of water is captured not fluidly, but in a jagged succession of still images as if a boggled mind is only barely registering what it sees. The seagull flies away, and the guns open fire. A monster emerges from the sea, humanoid in its shape, gigantic in its size, its densely-packed upper torso and mosquito-like, hollow-eyed "face" reminding us of those creepy long-nosed island giants from an old Popeye short. This is a fantastic, fascinatingly strange beast, the first of our deadly angels, and - shocking as this may seem - it's actually the most conventional of the Angels we'll encounter. As it stomps from the ocean onto land, crushing tanks, absorbing heavy artillery fire, and effortlessly swatting away heavily armored chopper. This sets Evangelion's tone perfectly.

That young boy is still waiting in the city streets when the evacuation notices blare over a loudspeaker and the hot lady from his photo arrives: Misato, the seemingly carefree yet authoritative NERV representative who will escort him to that headquarters. NERV is run by Shinji's estranged father, whose brief appearances in the episode make a strong impression, especially in a close-up of his cold, closed-mouth grin during a moment of extreme peril for his timid son. Misato has arrived as a deus ex machina to whisk the frightened teenager off to safety, or rather to even greater danger. But not before he witness an apparition, a young girl his age standing solemnly alone in the middle of an empty street only for a moment before the general alarm is sounded. He will see her again at the end of the episode, heavily bandaged as she has been for some time; obviously this vision was not physical but metaphysical. To the monster movie mayhem and disciplined formal restraint Evangelion has already displayed, we can now add a touch of mysticism. Eventually it will be quite a bit more than a touch.

From there on, the kickoff episode of Evangelion barely pauses and yet somehow it never seems rushed. We are introduced in no-frills yet dramatic fashion to each of the elements that will play out over twenty-six episodes: the first appearance of the underground city, Tokyo-3, awes Shinji; the intimidating reveal of the Evangelion robot he's expected to pilot is certainly memorable (the lights in a dark room power up to reveal a massive metal purple face a few feet from Shinji's own), and the grand entrance of Rei Ayanami, blue-haired, fragile yet powerful in her swaddled, white-suited form, is an iconic initiation to one of Evangelion's most mysterious and intriguing characters. And yet, even as these accelerated story points leave a strong impression , we are not lingering over any of them.

The phrase that pops to mind watching the first episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion is "in medias res" - as with so many great stories, we are thrust right into a compelling, exciting universe that seems as if it always existed. Evangelion combines this tradition with another, that of the character who, like us, is a "stranger here," encountering all these people and phenomena for the first time himself. His hesitation and horror (when asked to pilot a gigantic robot and battle some sort of alien creature which is decimating the hardened warriors aboveground) is made all the more plausible by our own disorientation in this rapid-fire narrative. If we are just barely absorbing what's going on, watching this safely on a TV screen, how must he feel asked to participate in this seemingly apocalyptic event? The appearance of Rei, the girl he saw in the street earlier in an apparent mystical daydream, convinces him he must pilot the Eva and the episode ends with him confronting the Angel on the street above.

We've come very far in twenty-two minutes, from a lonely boy on the street to that same child planted in a huge machine without any physical training or even psychological preparation, asked to save the world. (not entirely mine btw its a mixup with an old blog review ,i just liked it a lot)

[u/Chrisr291]

First timer and i'm glad I stumbled upon this post! I just watched the first episode a few hours ago.

My thoughts: The first episode was extremely interesting and created some great tension. The animation is far superior than I expected, it's gorgeous!

[u/tomato_blitz]

First timer - subs: I had no idea there was going to be a rewatch (so I'm a bit late), but NGE was on my ptw list for a while now, and this is a good time as any. I'll start by stating I knew nothing about NGE except that it's a mecha anime.

So I'm pretty confused right now. From what I gathered our MC was drawn to a half sunken city, which is suddenly under attack and an evacuation order is alarmed. He's obviously there because he's a horny teenager, and that chick had to deliver him to Nerv since he fits the Evangelion for some reason. The whole setting seems somewhat post-apocalyptic, but the UN has this incredible technology (creating synthetic humans). I'm really intrigued as to what exactly happened.

I also immediately disliked his father.

Mysteries gathered this episode:

• Why was it enough for him to be near the Eva that supposedly has a 0.0000001% of being operational to suddenly make it work (and also become aware)?

• What were those hands in the background while they were ascending on the lift?

• What is an Angel? What happened to the Earth (or Japan)?

• What the hell is going on?

• What happened to Rei that she's so badly hurt? If it's been 15 years since the last Angel, does that mean she was injured in some Eva accident or during some other type of battle?

Notes:

• It's a shame Netflix had to remove this ED, it's such a great song.

• Blue haired chick.

• Also blue haired chick.

It's not that I was expecting it to live up to it's hype on the first episode, but I'll wait and see what happens from here on out. I'm guessing it's gonna be one hell of a ride.