Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal
The Neon Genesis Evangelion Proposal (企画書, kikakusho) is a 35-page, full-color document created in 1993, 2 years before the show's TV airing, for promotional purposes. It is essentially a prototype for the series, complete with production illustrations; notes on theme and story; write-ups on characters, mecha, and setting; and short summaries for the planned twenty-six episodes.
33 of its pages were printed, as 6 cm x 8.5 cm thumbnails, in Neon Genesis Evangelion Newtype 100% Collection (the pages about Sachiel, Arael, Shateiel, and Turel were omitted). All 35 were reprinted full-size in Evangelion Chronicle, as 35 separate leaves, each with supplemental commentary on its opposite side.
Differences
Numerous changes would be made between the Proposal and the final version of the show.
Characters
- "Konrad Lorenz", rather than "Keel Lorenz". (This is actually the name of a famous Austrian biologist, completely unchanged.)
- Fuyutsuki is 45 years old -- Gendo's junior rather than senior.
- The penguin character does not have a listed name.
- The character of Hikari is not present.
Evangelions
- Eva-01 is most commonly depicted in white armor. Her trademark purple is nowhere to be seen.
- Stand-alone Eva-05 and Eva-06 models are present, rather than a mass production Eva series.
Angels
Entities called shito (使徒) are present, but the "alternate version" of this is "Apostolo" (アポストロ) rather than "Angel". (This is a much more literal approach, considering shito is the Japanese word reserved for the Biblical apostles.)
- There were to have been twenty-eighty Apostolos in all.
- An Apostolo called Raziel attacks in Episode 01 rather than Sachiel.
- A design for Sachiel is presented, although unrecognizable save for the "amphibious monster" theme.
- Ramiel looks the same, except each of its faces has a "cut-out" triangle floating above it.
- The Sahaquiel of Proposal is completely unrecognizable, essentially two spools of super-destructive ribbons (a la Zeruel's arms) attached to a disembodied core.
- A human-shaped Apostolo, the prototype of Kaworu Nagisa, appears earlier in the chronology and does not seem as important to the plot.
- Designs are disclosed for the unused Shateiel and Turel.
- The final Apostolo conflict involves the "twelve strongest", which descend from the Moon and vaporize the Americas.
Other
- The Artificial Evolution Laboratory is a contemporary establishment (not something restricted to the backstory).
- The First Ancestral Race are said to be prehistoric (possibly Terran?) lifeforms responsible for Adam and the Apostolos.
- The ending involves "the ancient ruins of Arka" -- a popular target of fan speculation.
Translations
By Reichu unless otherwise noted.
Page 1 (Cover Page)
Neon Genesis Evangelion
TV Animation Series Shinseiki Evangelion (Tentative Title) Proposal
GAINAX
[Note: Shinseiki Evangelion = Neon Genesis Evangelion]
Page 7 (Intro to Apostolos)
The enemies are unidentified giant battle weapons, designated “Apostolos”.
Possessing various forms and various super-scientific special abilities, the mysterious objects “Apostolos” advance upon mankind. In actuality, they are ancient relics that were left sleeping all around the world by prehistoric lifeforms called the “First Ancestral Race”. There are 28 in all. “Adam” was the first one confirmed, excavated 15 years ago in the Dead Sea region by human hands, but it was destroyed by a mysterious explosion. 27 will awaken subsequently.
The “Apostolos” are all named after “angels” described in the “Dead Sea Scrolls”.
[NOTE: The header here includes the bit 『使徒』(アポストロ）, which is shito in Japanese quotation marks, followed by katakana "Apostolo" in parentheses, indicating that "Apostolo" is Proposal's answer to "Angel".]
