(Disclaimer: Anime Night is neither official nor in any way recognized by
or associated with Steward Observatory)
Anime night is a bi-weekly event where I try to show off some of the
best examples of anime out there, and generally to get other people hooked
to my addiction. These generally take place on Saturdays at 7:30pm, but may
move to avoid other Steward-related events. Showings are generally
preceded by dinner at Yoshimatsu, a nice vegetarian-friendly Japanese
restaurant at Campbell and Grant. We meet at my place (see below) at
5:30 pm, then head to Yoshimatsu, then return by 7:30 for the anime. We typically
try to finish a series before starting the next (see below for which one we're
on now), but possible showings can be found by checking
my list of anime
DVDs, while trying not to duplicate old showings.
Next Showing
Saturday May 28, 6 pm (Dinner by Potluck)
The End of Evangelion
Ranma 1/2 (Selected Episodes)
Summary
Evangelion takes place in the year 2015, on a post-apocalyptic earth,
following the disasterous "Second Impact," where a meteor hit the Antarctic
in September of 2000. This knocked the earth off its axis, caused the
oceans to rise, and wiped out a good fraction of humanity. At any rate,
that's the offical story, what really happened was that researchers at the
South Pole discovered the first "Angel," and during the investigation, the
Angel exploded. Now, fifteen years later, more Angels show up to threaten
our beleaguered human race; only this time, they're ready.
A special organization within the UN, NERV (German for "nerve"...it'll be
relevant later, trust me) has been set up to, among other things, deal with
the returning Angels. As you might expect, the best method for dealing with
the problem is to construct giant robots, in this case copies of the original
Angel (Adam) found at the South Pole. All weapons have a weakness, doubly
so if it's a convenient plot point for an anime series, and in this case it's
that these giant robots (Evangelions) can only be pilotted by 14-year-old
children. Angels and Evas are conviently protected by AT Fields, and so you
require one to inflict harm on the other. NERV is based in New Tokyo 3 (Old
Tokyo was mostly flooded after Second Impact, and New Tokyo 2 is the current
home of the Japanese government, which will eventually move to New Tokyo 3),
a city built to withstand Angel attack. Underneath the city is a spherical
cavity several kilometers across, with NERV headquarters at the base. During
Angel attacks, the New Tokyo 3 buildings are designed to sink into the top
of this sphere (Geofront) for protection while Evas beat up the Angel on
the surface.
We're introduced to all this as Ikari Shinji, a 14-year-old boy, is called to
New Tokyo 3 by his father, Ikari Gendo, who just so happens to be the
commander of NERV. Not surprisingly, Shinji's told that he's one of the
few capable of pilotting an Eva, and is sent out immediately in Eva Unit 01 to
destroy the just-arrived Angel, Sachiel. After a tense episode, the Angel
is destroyed by Eva 01, but it's left unclear whether it was Shinji in
control, or just the Eva going berserk. After it becomes clear that Shinji
and his estranged father don't want to live together, NERV's director of
operations, Katsuragi Misato, takes Shinji in to her place, and hilarity
ensues (she's sloppy, unashamed, and has a pet penguin. What more do you
need for humor?). Shinji starts going to the local school, and despite his
best efforts at not interacting with others, manages to make a few friends
among his classmates.
After taking on Angels #3 and 4 on his own (What happened to #2? Keep
watching), we're reintroduced to Ayanami Rei, the pilot of the prototype,
Eva Unit 00. Her Eva went berserk during an activation test three weeks
before the series began, leaving her in pretty bad shape. She and her Eva
recover at about the same time, and she's teamed with Shinji to take out
Angel #5. During this time, we learn that Rei shows even less personality
than Shinji, and basically just obeys orders without question.
At this point, Eva Unit 02 is completed and shipped from Germany to New
Tokyo 3, along with its pilot, Sohryu Asuka Langley. From that point on,
things fall into a monster-of-the-week pattern for a while, with little
hints of bigger things to come. Some of the revelations along the way
are the following. Glimpses of the Human Instrumentality Project Committee,
a half-dozen
old men who give orders to NERV, and appear more concerned with various
mysterious projects than killing Angels. Misato, as it turns out, was at the
South Pole during Second Impact, and only survived by her father sacrificing
himself to get her to an escape pod, hence she sees destroying the angels as
personal revenge. Evas are being produced in far greater number than you'd
assume they'd need, up to 8 and beyond. Kaji, revealed to be a spy for the
Japanese government, gained Gendou's trust by providing him with the remains
of Adam, recovered from the South Pole. Kaji in turn showed Misato the
contents of Terminal Dogma (the deep underground part of NERV headquarters),
an Angel nailed to a cross with a spear sticking out of its side. Shinji
continues to show greater success with pilotting Eva 01 compared to other
pilots with their Evas. The organization in charge of selecting pilots for
the Evas, the Marduk Institute, turns out to be a front for NERV, who
apparently have a large supply they can draw upon at their convenience. On
that note, Touji, a classmate and friend of Shinji's, is selected to pilot
the newly-completed Eva Unit 03. Unit 04 was destroyed along with the Second
Branch of Nerv in the US, while attempting to install an "S2 Engine."
Episode 17 ends with Touji having just been told he's the new pilot, and
plans being drawn up for the activation tests.
Characters
 |
Ikari Shinji: Third Children, pilot of Evangelion Unit 01. His mother
dead, and increasingly estranged from his father, he's lived with his
teacher for the last few years, until being called to Tokyo-3 to become
an Eva pilot. He's extremely non-confrontational, and as a result has
much difficulty relating to others.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Ogata Megumi | |
| |
| Yukito | Card Captor Sakura |
| Princess Emeraude | Rayearth |
| Tenou Haruka/Sailor Uranus | Sailor Moon |
| Yukimura | Samurai Deeper Kyo |
| Reiha | Vampire Princess Miyu |
| Kurama | Yu Yu Hakusho |
|
 |
Ayanami Rei: First Children, pilot of the prototype Evangelion Unit 00.
Her background is unclear, and she lives by herself in a cheap
appartment. She doesn't show much personality, but is extremely loyal
to Commander Ikari.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Hayashibara Megumi | |
| |
| Tira Misu | Bakuretsu Hunters |
| Momiji | Blue Seed |
| Faye Valentine | Cowboy Bebop |
| Haruka | Love Hina |
| Nuku Nuku | Nuku Nuku |
| Female Ranma | Ranma 1/2 |
| Lime | Saber Marionette J |
| Lina | Slayers |
| Ai | Video Girl Ai |
|
 |
Sohryu Asuka Langley: Second Children, pilot of Evangelion Unit 02. She
was born in Japan, but raised in Germany (Don't let her inability to
speak any German whatsoever fool you on that account), and she trained in
Germany with Unit 02 at Nerv's second branch, before coming to Tokyo-3
after the reappearance of the Angels. She has a very dominant
personality, and doesn't show any hint of fear when piloting.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Miyamura Yuko | |
| |
| Casca | Berserk |
| Lapis | Detatoko Princess |
| Ritsuko | Those Who Hunt Elves |
| Natsuki | Hyper Police |
| Ushio | Neoranga |
| Elizabeth | Starship Girl Yamamoto Yoko |
|
 |
Katsuragi Misato: NERV Operations Director. She worked mostly at the
Nerv Second Branch in Germany, before coming to the main branch in Tokyo-3
just before the series starts. She takes in Shinji when
he arrives in Tokyo-3, and evntually Asuka as well. She's a pretty
capable Nerv officer, and is dedicated to destroying the angels, but
she's still pretty light-hearted most of the time. When she's not at
work she's being lazy, drinking beers, and eating snacks. She was at the
South Pole during Second Impact, and survived thanks to her father
sacrificing himself.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Mitsuishi Kotono | |
| |
| Koume | Blue Seed |
| Mink | Dragon Half |
| Celcia | Those Who Hunt Elves |
| Excel | Excel Saga |
| Kagura | Fruits Basket |
| Murrue Ramius | Gundam Seed |
| Mireille | Noir |
| Tsukino Usagi/Sailor Moon | Sailor Moon |
| Madoka | Spiral |
|
 |
Akagi Ritsuko: NERV's chief scientist. College friend of Misato's, she's
been working on the Evangelion project for several years. She's mainly
concerned with advancing Gendo's agenda, and often tramples over the
emotions of other people to do so. Her mother built the Magi supercomputers
at the heart of NERV
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Yamaguchi Yuriko | |
| |
| Ryuko | Generator Gawl |
| Reiko | Outlaw Star |
| Matori | Shin Tenchi Muyou |
| Kachuussha | Wedding Peach |
|
 |
Kaji Ryouji: NERV official, used to date Misato. Arrives in Tokyo-3
after escorting Asuka and Unit 02, as well as a sample of "Adam," from
Germany. He's involved with much of the conniving at Nerv, but also
appears to have other loyalties. He seems sloppy and
carefree, and flirts with any girl he comes across. Misato discovers him to
be a spy for the Japanese government, but since Gendou is using him for his
own purposes, he's left pretty much alone.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Yamadera Kouichi | |
| |
| Chiryuu | Bakuen Campus Guardress |
| Falgo | Bubble Gum Crisis |
| Spike | Cowboy Bebop |
| Juubei | Ninja Scroll |
| Ryouga | Ranma 1/2 |
|
 |
Ikari Gendou: Commander of NERV, and Shinji's father. A very strict
personality, and not very affectionate toward Shinji. He does show a lot
of compassion for Rei, though. He seems to be working on his own agenda,
seemingly at odds with the people giving him orders.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Tachiki Fumihiko | |
| |
| McCoy | Bakuen Campus Guardress |
| Judge | Those Who Hunt Elves |
| Commander | Lain |
| Plaktu | Escaflowne |
|
 |
Fuyutsuki Kouzou: Vice-Commander of NERV. He's almost always with Gendou,
and seems pretty capable and loyal.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Kiyokawa Motomu | |
| |
| Norman | The Big-O |
| Walter | Hellsing |
| Jonathan | Master Keaton |
| Ferringo | Vampire Hunter D |
|
 |
Ibuki Maya: Technician at NERV, working under Ritsuko. Again, competent
person, though a bit squeamish about some of the more unpleasant things that
happen at NERV. Very much respects and looks up to Ritsuko
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Nagasawa Miki | |
| |
| Keiko | Gatekeepers |
| Sakura | Key the Metal Idol |
| Jessica | Macross 7 |
| Cliff | Infinite Ryvius |
| Izumi | Nadeshico |
| Ryo | Princess Nine |
| Miyu | Vampire Princess Miyu (TV) |
|
 |
Hyuga Makoto: Another NERV technician. He's mostly defined by his crush on
Misato, who never reciprocates.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Yuuki Hiro | |
| |
| Clot Buer | Gundam Seed |
| Taikobou | Houshin Engi |
| Leon | Shamanic Princess |
| Signal | Twin Signal |
| Omi | Weiss Kreuz |
| Michael | Witch Hunter Robin |
|
 |
Aoba Shigeru: last of the three main NERV technical staff. Beyond the fact
that he plays the guitar, there's not a lot to say about him.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Koyasu Takehito | |
| |
| Dan Simmons | Argento Soma |
| Febdash | Crest of the Stars |
| Ryuuji | DNA^2 |
| Ilpalazzo | Excel Saga |
| Hotohori | Fushigi Yuugi |
| Zechs | Gundam Wing |
| Takahashi Ryousuke | Initial D |
| Mu La Flaga | Gundam Seed |
| Ryuuga | Mahoromatic |
| Mosquiton | Master Mosquiton |
|
 |
Suzuhara Touji: Shinji's classmate, he initially hated Shinji after his
sister was hurt during Unit 01's first battle. They eventually became
friends, which allowed him to start hitting on Misato at every opportunity.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Seki Tomokazu | |
| |
| Touya | Card Captor Sakura |
| Tokio | Arjuna |
| Juunpei | Those Who Hunt Elves |
| Kyo | Fruits Basket |
| Sagara | Full Metal Panic! |
| Chichiri | Fushigi Yuugi |
| Takahashi Keisuke | Initial D |
| Yzak | Gundam Seed |
| Daikouji Gai/Shiratori | Nadeshico |
| Van | Escaflowne |
|
 |
Horaki Hikari: Another one of Shinji's classmates, she's the class
representative and befriends Asuka once she arrives. She's got a slow crush
developping on Touji in the latter part of the series.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Iwao Junko | |
| |
| Tomoyo | Card Captor Sakura |
| Key | Key the Metal Idol |
| Sally | Macross 7 |
| Akane | Majou Tsukai Tai! |
| Tomoe | Rurouni Kenshin (OAV) |
| Kotori | X |
|
 |
Aida Kensuke: The last one of Shinji's classmates Anno actually blesses with
a name, recognizable face, and voice actor. He's a military maniac, and so
is very happy to make friends with Shinji (also because, like Touji, he wants
to hit on Misato).
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Iwanaga Tetsuya | |
| |
| Mizuhara | El Hazard |
| Seishiro | Princess Nine |
| Ryuichi | Nightwalker |
| Tomite | Fushigi Yuugi |
|
 |
Pen-Pen: Misato's pet warm-water penguin. He lives in a fridge, but has
free run of the house, leading to your standard amount of hilarity.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Hayshibara Megumi | |
| |
| (Same Seiyuu as Rei, see above) | |
|
 |
Keel Lorentz: Chairman of the Human Instrumentation Project Committee, he
gives orders to NERV, and begins to suspect that Gendou is hiding things
from him.
| |
| |
| Seiyuu: Mugihito | |
| |
| Sluf | Crest of the Stars |
| Victor | Master Keaton |
| Admiral Mifune | Irresponsible Captain Tylor |
| Kisho | Houshin Engi |
| Mendou's Father | Urusei Yatsura |
|
Long-term showing schedule
Begin Evangelion, finish series and movies by May.
View the old showing schedule.
Next series: Kidan Senshi Gundam Seed
See old summary/voice actor info pages
Crest of the Stars
Kare Kano
Directions to my place
From the U of A campus, take Speedway going east until you come to Tucson,
turn left (north) on Tucson, then take the fourth street to the right,
which should be Lee. If you cross a traffic light (Elm), you've gone too
far. Go past three streets as you head east on Lee, and before you hit
the fourth street (Stewart), you'll see my house on the right. It's a big
white house with various small cacti in the front yard. There should be
plenty of parking around the street. The house number is 2812.
Contact me
If there are any questions, you can always call me at (408) 394-4582.
If you're not getting the anime night emails and would like to, send me an
email: My username is enielsen and then as.arizona.edu is my hostname. Combine
them to get username@hostname, and then shake a fist at the spammers who make
me go to these lengths.
The copyrights of all images belong to their respective owners and such.
Namely Gainax.
