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First of all, appy polly logies to Gene W. Chin of Oakland, CA—Jerry Brown's town, and a fine town it is!—who wrote in with a whole bunch of suggestions for the Eva latter column, but whom I don't think I ever acknowledged. Now Leon van Hooydonk from Haarlem—the one with two "a"s—I mentioned last issue, but he then sent in another letter with this choice illustration (above). We could all learn something from the Dutch; particularly, our federal government could learn something from them, if you take my meaning, and I think you do. Toont u een waarachtig Nederlander, read Neon Genesis Evangelion! And a special ethnic shout out right now to my man from Indoe-nesia, Casey van Maanen! Smooth it out back East!
Dear Eva letters page,
[letter column title suggestions deleted] ...Since I'm already writing to you I have some concerns. The letters page is becoming tiresome to read. I don't care about the opinions from the people talking about other animes. I buy the Evangelion comic to read just about that and nothing else. While I sometimes enjoy reading about Evangelion past influences, I'd rather see art from readers and Evangelion merchandise ads.
Also, I believe that Andrew J. Capraro is a con artist. I mean, come on, how low can you go using a children's hospital to get posters that you'll just end up keeping for yourself? Trust me, I've written letters like these implementing the same methods like using old folks' homes and orphanages.
As Dieter would say, "Your letters page has become tiresome." I didn't print the name or address of ex- (?) grifter Mr. "S", but however his (or my own) past may be, he was wrong to suspect criminality of everyone. Dr. Capraro is a real-life, true-code blue, ass-working-off resident at a children's hospital (Dont'cha think I'd check that out?). No posters for you, Mr. S! Shame on ya! Shame! And keep buying Evangelion!
Attention All NERV Personnel,
I have existed for about two decades but have spent nearly 75% of that watching and adoring anime. Over the years I have opened my perceptions of anime to a much wider level. I used to watch it just for extreme violence, but nowadays I have evolved into a state where I can appreciate anime for not only its content but its constructive crew as well. I feel that this has given me an ability to not just judge something on what the story is about but to look into the animation, soundtrack, and voice acting. To that end I would like to say that Neon Genesis Evangelion is one in a million! It grabbed ahold of me the second I saw the first trailer for it, when I heard the opening to "Cruel Angel's Thesis". It is rare when someone can take a certain genre such as the giant robot style and blow off the dust and make a damn fine series. In my official opinion Evangelion is number one on my top list of anime ever!
...I feel it is now my time to brag about who's my favorite character...My favorite character in the series is Asuka Langley Sohryu. I don't know why, I think it's because she has one of those irritating yet interesting personalities. I love how she always does whatever it takes to win—but a lot of times it's not just enough in the Angels' eyes. I believe she has a "Ranma-to-Akane"-type relationship with Shinji. They both fight all the time but they still end up looking like a couple...I think Misato is a very pivotal character and has become more of a big sister/surrogate mother to Shinji. Her character is well organized and is really what keeps Shinji in the story, literally. Shinji is a great protagonist. He's the one kid who gets to live out the giant robot fantasy but really doesn't want to...
I think my time is up and I would just like to say what a great job you're doing with the manga series. Keep it up! And remember...
"Any place can be heaven, as long as you try and live" —Yui Ikari
Sincerely,
John M. Wilson
Dothan, AL
"The day I tried to live...I tried..." —Soundgarden. I apologize for trimming the letter. We are currently at Asuka minus seven months and counting in the manga, so please hang in there (Rei is the keynote of Book Three). Sadamoto seems to have great affection for Asuka, too, and expands certain scenes with her. As for Asuka and Shinji looking like a couple, as they'd say, "Chigau!" But Asuka is more like Shinji than she would admit; her response in the anime, when Shinji reveals why he pilots the Eva, is telling does admit she's like Shinji) is especially borne out by this issue.
Special thanks to Keith Miynarski from Roswell, Ga., Lauryn Bushy from Leesport, PA—Rei and Shinji are in the 8th grade—and to A. Callaway, a.k.a. Dizzy-chan, from Sarasota, FL, who sent in some KA-WA-II SD Eva images (seen on the upper right). As a matter of fact, Dizzy wants to be an Eva pilot herself, an includes this concept illo of her (green streak in her hair) in a plug suit. Yes, NERV is supposed to have two branches in the U.S., although, if you want my advice, stay away from the one in Nevada. Anyway, in Dizzy-chan's honor, Rei boots Shinji off the title of the letter page. What could the letter possibly say to make Rei smile? My guess is that it's her merchandising contract.
Special Notice! Don't forget to check out Vol. 1 of the Eva graphic novel, out this very month from Viz! It contains a bonus: four pages of commentary from Eva director Hideaki Anno and mechanical designer Ikuto Yamashita—never before printed in English in its entirety! You don't want to miss Anno's essay in particular, written before the first episode even aired—you've heard this and that said about his personal motivations for making Eva—now hear it from Anno himself. By the way, remember that bit under "Tokyo-2" in the Dossier section of Book 2:1, where it said, "The Temporary Government of Japan"? Pretend it said "The Provisional Government of Japan" instead. Thank you. Thanks as always to my main gōmanizumu sengen-jin, Dave Fleming.
Carl Gustav Horn