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 (Apostolos)
Translation
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.
Notes
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".]
Page 9 (Evangelions' Features)
Translation
Evangelions' Features
Because of its flexible artificial musculature composed of metal, movement like a human being is rendered possible. Its actional response time may also be manipulated at will.
The main unit is the basic body, manufactured from a skeletal framework and artificial muscles. Various versatile armor suits, special equipment, etc., can be equipped onto this, enabling Eva's multi-purpose utilization. Put simply, they are giant robots, wearing helmets and equipped with gloves.
Usually they operate by means of an electric energy supply provided via cable. However, in the event of emergency, they switch to an internal supply. At the same time, this has a weakness in that, due to a problem with storage capacity, Eva can only operate for approximately 1 minute on internal power.
They are improved after Eva-01 and installed with a Positron Engine, but all sorts of problems remain, as this system is also unstable.
Unfortunately, unaided flight is impossible.
Furthermore, within the show there are multiple Evangelion homotypes. (Following the conclusion of Episode 01’s conclusion, as follows.)
Unit 00 Prototype -- Partially damaged in its first combat. The unit is kept on freeze. Unit 01 Test Type -- Successfully activated for the first time in Episode #01, upon which it was immediately used in actual combat. Unit 02 Experimental Type -- Currently being transported from Sasebo via aircraft carrier in the care of the U.N. Army. The final adjustments have been taken care of.
Unit 03 Experimental Type: Currently being constructed at an unspecified site in America. Unit 04 Test Type: Missing number. As it disappeared in an explosion incident, its construction has been discontinued. Unit 05 Experimental Type: Currently being constructed at an unspecified site in Germany. Unit 06 Mass Production Model: Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016, also in Germany.
Original Japanese
『エヴァンゲリオン』の特徴
伸縮自在な金属製の人工筋肉により、人間と同様に動くことが可能。 動作の反応速度をも、操縦者が自由に選ぶことができる。 本体である、骨格と人工筋肉で作られた「素体」に、 汎用性のある各種「装甲服」や「特殊装備」を着せることにより 多自的な使用が可能。 つまり、ヘルメットをかぶりグローブを装着する、巨大ロボットである。 通常は有線による電力供給によって稼動しているが、 非常時には内部電源に切り替えられる。 同時に、蓄積要領の問題から約１分しか動けないという弱点を持つ。
後に初号機は、改良され「陽電子機関」を搭載するが、そのシステムも 不安定なため各種の問題を残す。
残念ながら、自力での飛行は不可能。 なお劇中では、数体の『エヴァンゲリオン』同型が、存在。 （第１話終了の時点では以下の通り）
| 零号試作機 | 先の戦闘により中破。機体は凍結。 |
| 初号試験機 | 第１話にて初起動に成功、その直後に実戦 |
| 弐号実験機 | 佐世保より国連軍所属の空母にて移動中。最終調整済み。 |
| ３号実験機 | 米国某所にて建造中。 |
| ４号試験機 | 欠番。爆発事故により消失、建造中止。 |
| ５号実験機 | 独国某所にて建造中。 |
| ６号量産機 | 以上、2016年より建造予定。 |
