Deep

[Johnny Novgorod]

Anno has openly admitted to using Christian imagery because he thinks it looks cool, not to spell out some religious message. I find that in itself hilarious.

This is true of most Japanese media. They just looooove throwing in cathedrals and Christian imagery into the games, for no better reason that it looks cool to them (same as Shinto looks cool to us, probably). I don't think there's a single JRPG where you don't find yourself inside a church at some point. Churches in JRPGs are like dance routines in Bollywood movies - they gotta have them, just because.

 

[The Wooster]

I'm just kinda annoyed how many times NGE has been used as a theme in these strips. Seriously, its a comic about video games and you've made Evangelion the topic of the strip more times than literally any game (including Skyrim ffs!!)

Last time you did this I checked the comments section. There was only one person who was actually angry, and IIRC it wasn't really about the comic itself. The number of people who wonder why the hell you keep doing this outnumber the imaginary people you think get mad at your comic. Get over yourself.

You should see the reddit threads, man. Absolutely glorious.

 

[The Wooster]

Now we have the Rebuild series, and the latest film, which is very polarizing. I like that the movie shows the consequences of Shinji's actions, but the direction the story goes is a bit much. I can understand why everyone would blame him for what happened, but the viewers get an outside perspective of what happened. No, the biggest problem of the film for me is that it feel's like we're backsliding in terms of theme and mood.

That's kind of the point. Rebuild 2.0 finally gave the complainers what they want, a more determined Shinji who did the generic hero thing - he risked it all for the girl. Then the second movie comes around and Anno shows us the fallout from that decision, which is absolutely catastrophic.

It's also not a coincidence that Shinji was asleep for 14 years (the same amount of time between the release of the original series and 3.0) and spends most of the film wallowing in the wreckage of set from the original series. Kaoru's speeches - "stop being a fucking manchild that wallows in the past and get on with your life" (paraphrased somewhat) - are directed at the audience at least as much as they're directed at Shinji.

Overall it's a very interesting film, and I LOVE how each of the rebuild films have prompted reanalysis of the previous films, but it's not a very satisfying film because Shinji's depression-driven lack of agency is back in full force.


Edit: Rah Xephon is Diet Pepsi to NGE's Coca Cola.

Double Edit: There are less Critical Miss strips about Evangelion than there are Evangelion movies.

Triple Edit: Deep and meaningful. [http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4083/9c6de11c.jpg]

 

[geier]

I like the premise of EVA, but the execution is worse than terrible.

 

[Vie]

Evangelion Angel face arctic roll?

Why am I tempted to buy this thing... ..why?

 

[Imp_Emissary]

Did Cory manga-up the art for this week? I especially like Erins 'GAAAH!' face in panel 2.

xD Read the thing under the comic. It says the art was done by, Rachell Baggs.

The person who helped out with one of the mass effect comics.

 

[Aptspire]

Kill la Kill t-shirt spotted.
OT: I'm not sure what to expect of NGE anymore, so I don't expect nothing.

 

[88chaz88]

I'm considering watching the show just so I can understand what all these comics are about.

Watch the first episode, then you'll get everything about NGE. No need to go any further than that.

Really, not even the Asuka mindscrew scene or Shinji in the giant Shadow or Shinji meeting Kaworu? Three of the big character scenes that help solidify Eva's reputation and you don't ask that he watch any of them?

Shinji whines, goes into robot, fights things.

That's all you ever need to know to be able to get NGE. All the rest is "deep" and "meaningful".

 

[Izanagi009_v1legacy]

I'm considering watching the show just so I can understand what all these comics are about.

Watch the first episode, then you'll get everything about NGE. No need to go any further than that.

Really, not even the Asuka mindscrew scene or Shinji in the giant Shadow or Shinji meeting Kaworu? Three of the big character scenes that help solidify Eva's reputation and you don't ask that he watch any of them?

Shinji whines, goes into robot, fights things.

That's all you ever need to know to be able to get NGE. All the rest is "deep" and "meaningful".

if you want to see a person whine, get into a robot and then fight, you could watch a good chunk of other mecha shows. Eva, while it may not be as "deep" as it thinks, does have character scenes that deconstruct the Super Robot Mecha genre and mainly the trope of children fighting in a war. That's what a good chunk of people like about the show and it's also the main reason for existing so leaving out the scenes defeats the purpose of the show

 

[Imp_Emissary]

I'm just kinda annoyed how many times NGE has been used as a theme in these strips. Seriously, its a comic about video games and you've made Evangelion the topic of the strip more times than literally any game (including Skyrim ffs!!)

Last time you did this I checked the comments section. There was only one person who was actually angry, and IIRC it wasn't really about the comic itself. The number of people who wonder why the hell you keep doing this outnumber the imaginary people you think get mad at your comic. Get over yourself.

You should see the reddit threads, man. Absolutely glorious.

People keep saying you say you hate EVA in these episodes, or that you say EVA is bad.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the only thing you've "taken issue with" in the comics has been Shinji.

It sounded like you and Erin were enjoying the rest of it.

[sub]Even the merchandise. If not for the normal reasons. <.<[/sub]

 

[The Wooster]

I'm just kinda annoyed how many times NGE has been used as a theme in these strips. Seriously, its a comic about video games and you've made Evangelion the topic of the strip more times than literally any game (including Skyrim ffs!!)

Last time you did this I checked the comments section. There was only one person who was actually angry, and IIRC it wasn't really about the comic itself. The number of people who wonder why the hell you keep doing this outnumber the imaginary people you think get mad at your comic. Get over yourself.

You should see the reddit threads, man. Absolutely glorious.

People keep saying you say you hate EVA in these episodes, or that you say EVA is bad.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the only thing you've "taken issue with" in the comics have been with Shinji.

It sounded like you and Erin were enjoying the rest of it.

[sub]Even the merchandise. If not for the normal reasons. <.<[/sub]

If people were to read carefully, they notice that I've only made fun of the actual series twice (the original #1 dad strip and the FMA comparison strip). Two of the remaining strips (including this one) are actually defending the series by arguing that a lot of its critics are simply expecting the wrong things.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

I'm just kinda annoyed how many times NGE has been used as a theme in these strips. Seriously, its a comic about video games and you've made Evangelion the topic of the strip more times than literally any game (including Skyrim ffs!!)

Last time you did this I checked the comments section. There was only one person who was actually angry, and IIRC it wasn't really about the comic itself. The number of people who wonder why the hell you keep doing this outnumber the imaginary people you think get mad at your comic. Get over yourself.

You should see the reddit threads, man. Absolutely glorious.

People keep saying you say you hate EVA in these episodes, or that you say EVA is bad.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the only thing you've "taken issue with" in the comics have been with Shinji.

It sounded like you and Erin were enjoying the rest of it.

[sub]Even the merchandise. If not for the normal reasons. <.<[/sub]

If people were to read carefully, they notice that I've only made fun of the actual series twice (the original #1 dad strip and the FMA comparison strip). Two of the remaining strips (including this one) are actually defending the series by arguing that a lot of its critics are simply expecting the wrong things.

Hehehe.
xD Which is kind of the point of this "episode" of the show. Only more for complaining fans too.

This time though, you had it spelled out, and even tossed in a porn analogy for good measure.

Well done! =w= b

P.S. That EVA hair dryer is kind of cute.

 

[Norix596]

Why did Erin turn into Korra in panel 2?

 

[PunkRex]

Did Cory manga-up the art for this week? I especially like Erins 'GAAAH!' face in panel 2.

xD Read the thing under the comic. It says the art was done by, Rachell Baggs.

The person who helped out with one of the mass effect comics.

Whoopsie-doodle, I usually read those things.

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

I have a theory that all the terrible merchandise that carries Evangelion's brand is a sort of in-joke about where Nerv get's it budget from: and Shinji is so very miserable not only for the obvious reasons (poor self-image, lack of support etc) but also because he spends his downtime hawking Doritos and Happy Meals.

 

[Shanahanapp]

Speaking of mecha anime, is that guy just a fat version of Ali Al Saachez from Gundam 00? Looks a bit like him!

 

[Imp_Emissary]

Did Cory manga-up the art for this week? I especially like Erins 'GAAAH!' face in panel 2.

xD Read the thing under the comic. It says the art was done by, Rachell Baggs.

The person who helped out with one of the mass effect comics.

Whoopsie-doodle, I usually read those things.

Hey, don't worry about it.

Sometimes people seem to not even read the comic before they comment. ;p

 

[vxicepickxv]

Or you could always watch RahXephon, which is like Eva but with likeable characters... though in places it's even weirder... also the Robo-Fights aren't as awesome in RahXephon... but its character relationships are somewhat less creepy.

On another note though, what is it with Giant Robot Show Auteurs and Depression... I mean Two of the Three Giant Robot Show Runners that I can think of had depression and had it seriously influence their work... Anno with his daddy issues and Tomino killing pretty much everyone in his shows... though I guess Kowamori does have his whole new age woo obsession...

This is creating giant robot anime is a psychological rabbit hole to be sure...

Might I suggest watching Martian Successor Nadesico then. Much less depression.
Takes a bit of getting used to. It's a comedy, or parody. A parody of clichés.
Bit hard to explain. It takes a cliché, overdoes it, turns it even more absurd.
Dresses it all up in 70's style "badly written" cliché giant robot anime and appears to keep a straight face.

Not to everyone's taste I guess, but I really enjoyed it and I'm sure plenty of others will.

I wasn't a fan of the movie, but the series was pretty good. Even though it looks like I won't be able to take you to the beach.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

Speaking of mecha anime, is that guy just a fat version of Ali Al Saachez from Gundam 00? Looks a bit like him!

He is one of Erin's co-workers.

Her boss, Sharon, once said his name, but I can't remember it.

It was one in which Sharon was being very mean with fat jokes to Erin, and then was really nice to that guy.

:/ Unless that was just another big guy with red hair, and a beard. I mean, if they can have a talking bear, why not two guys who look like that?