Similarities to Neon Genesis Evangelion in other Anime and Manga
These are possible references to Evangelion from other anime and manga, but have not been confirmed yet (despite all appearances), or are unconfirmable or unlikely, but still worth noting.
Azumanga Daioh (あずまんが大王)
Azumanga Daioh, an anime that aired in 2002 and based on a 4-koma manga of the same name by Kiyohiko Azuma, in episode 3, Yukari mimics the way Misato drinks beer, slamming the empty glass down and yelling. Although it is debatable whether this was a direct reference, the similarities are clear.
Brain Powered (ブレンパワード)
Brain Power(e)d is a 1998 mecha anime by Yoshiyuki Tomino. Two rumors related to this series sometimes pop up in Evangelion discussions: the first of these is that Tomino intended Brain Powered to be his response to Evangelion, or even "Evangelion done right"; a second, corollary rumor is that Tomino loathes Evangelion and/or Hideaki Anno.
The latter rumor appears to, at least to some extent, stem from a particular Tomino interview in the Animerica magazine (Vol 8 #2, March 2000), parts of which touched the subject of Evangelion:
| “ | Tomino: For instance, Brain Powered came out after Evangelion did, so I am often asked questions similar to yours about the connection between them, but in reality the plans for Brain Powered and the overall story had all been completed before Evangelion came out. I never meant Brain Powered to be an antithesis to Evangelion. I knew when I saw Evangelion that Brain Powered would be called an antithesis to it, but I didn't want to change my plans any, so I just resigned myself to that.
This is connected with my wish for more animators to see themselves as entertainers. I don't think I succeeded with Brain Powered, and I don't think it was very good with entertainment--but there was one thing I did try to do with it. If 100 people come to see an anime with giant robots, then chances are are that not every one of those 100 people will be a huge fan of robot anime. What I wanted to do was to make an anime that had a truly interesting story that wouldn't cause the people who watched it to have a nervous breakdown. I also tried to make a story that would tell anime fans that there were often other things out there better than anime. That's the goal I challenged myself to do. I don't think the series itself was a success, though, I have to admit that. So I was very upset when I saw Evangelion, because it was apparent to me that the people who made it weren't thinking at all about making fun for or gaining the sympathy of the audience. Instead they tried to convince the audience to admit that everybody is sick, practically in the middle of a nervous breakdown, all the time. I don't think you should show things like that to everybody. It's not entertainment for the masses--it's much more interested in admitting that we're all depressed nervous wrecks, I thought. It was a work that told people it was okay to be depressed, and it accepted the psychological state that said if you don't like the way the world works, then it's okay to just pick up a gun and attack someone. I don't think that's a real work of art. When people see that, they begin to realize they are the same way. I think that we should try to show people how to live healthier, fuller lives, to foster their identity as a part of their community, and to encourage them to work happily until they die. I can't accept any work that doesn't say that. Animerica: Is that different from your downbeat endings? Tomino: I make sure my audience knows it's fiction and that what happens to my characters doesn't necessarily say anything about their own lives. |
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As is apparent from this, the first rumor is patently false: Brain Powered was never intended as a reaction to Evangelion. The second rumor has more substance to it, as Tomino clearly finds Evangelion lacking in the way of social conscience (cue the debate about how correct or incorret his interpretation of Evangelion's message is).
Cosplay Complex (こすぷれCOMPLEX)
Cosplay Complex, a 3 episode OVA released in May of 2002, has a character, Jenny Matel, who went around repeating "I mustn't run away!" over and over again, like Shinji does, during the beach episode. In the beginning of episode 3, there is a shot of a medical monitor that is taken from the beginning of End of Evangelion, where there is a medical monitor in Asuka's hospital room.
Also, in episode 1, Gourou, the president of the cosplay club can be seen doing a Gendo Pose.
Excel Saga (へっぽこ実験アニメーション エクセル・サーガ)
In the last episode (26) of Excel Saga, Hyatt falls over on the sidewalk, starts to bleed, and continues to bleed, covering the earth in blood, which looks similar to the start of Third Impact in End of Evangelion.
Full Metal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師)
In the Full Metal Alchemist manga in Chapter 75, as all the souls in the town are being collected, an eye similar to the one seen in End of Evangelion when the black moon rises out of hakone can be seen rising out of the ground.
Full Metal Panic! (フルメタル パニック！)
In episode 8 of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid, there is a scene depicting the bridge that looks very similar to the Nerv Command Center. While the basic bridge layout isn't that unique, an intentional homage is not out of question, especially when considering Kyoto Animation's fondness for references.
Galaxy Angel (ギャラクシーエンジェル)
In the first season of Galaxy Angel, episode 24, Mint is explaining to the rest of the crew that the attacking Dice is heading straight for their ship (marked as <Angel>). This makes their ship look suspiciously like Ramiel.
In episode 16 of Galaxy Angel A, the third season, there's a short clip of Ranpha Franboise dressed in a school uniform with toast in her mouth repeating "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late," followed by her running into Forte, falling to the ground, then covering up her skirt when she realized she was possibly exposing herself.
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C. 2nd GIG (攻殻機動隊 S.A.C. 2nd GIG)
In Episode 17 of 2nd Gig, Motoko Kusanagi charges down a group of Yakuza threatening to kill a street kid in the same manner as Misato gunning down the JSSDF troops threatening to kill Shinji in End of Evangelion.
Hanaukyo Maid Tai (花右京メイド隊)
In the first Hanaukyo Maid Tai TV-series, an angelic Rei Ayanami makes a cameo in episode 1 as a statue when Taro first enters the mansion. In episode 3, the techie maid and an outspoken anime fan Ikuyo makes a vague reference to Evangelion.
Hyakka Ryōran Samurai Girls (百花繚乱 サムライガールズ)
The last two episodes of Hyakka Ryōran Samurai Girls, a 12 episode TV series produced by ARMS, contains a set of shots that have similarities to elements of Evangelion.
In episode 12, there is a use of a starfield during an out-of-body sequence.
Lucky Star (らき☆すた)
Lucky Star, an anime by Kyoto Animation that aired in 2007, in episode 6, Kuroi-sensei mimics the way Misato drinks beer.
Nurse Witch Komugi (ナースウィッチ小麦ちゃんマジカルて)
In episode 1 of the Nurse Witch Komugi OVA, there was a giant Hikkii (a virus, and also happens to be the cat mascot of 2ch) that Komugi has to fight, which happens to have power cable attached to its back similar to the Evas. Eventually, Komugi defeats the Hikkii by cutting the cable.
Puni Puni Poemy (ぷにぷに☆ぽえみぃ)
Puni Puni Poemy, a 2 part OVA released in March of 2001, there is a massive alien mecha that attacks the city. One of the legs of the alien mecha belongs to Evangelion Unit-01.
Re: Cutie Honey (Re:キューティーハニー)
A short 3 episode OVA that was directed by Hideaki Anno in 2004. About 30 minutes into the first episode, when Honey Kisaragi does her Honey Flash, there is a set of flashes over a black background that is very similar to the ones seen in the Neon Genesis Evangelion opening.
In episode 3, at the very beginning, there is a water drop motif similar to the water drops often used throughout Neon Genesis Evangelion to segue between the "real world" and the "internal world."
Submarine 707R (サブマリン707R)
The opening animation of this two-episode OAV from 2003 was directed by Hideaki Anno. As an apparent nod to Evangelion, the poem passage which was used in Nerv's logo, "God's in his Heaven, all's right with the world", makes a (slightly misspelled) appearance in it.
Trinity Blood (トリニティ・ブラッド)
Although this is a debatable tribute, during an episode of Trinity Blood, an anime that aired in April of 2005, one of the vampires produce something that looks like an A.T. Field.
The Pyramid
Similar to the Gendo Pose, The Pyramid as seen by the Nerv pyramid and in End of Evangelion's sandbox, has appeared in many other anime and manga, but cannot always be confirmed as a reference, since this particular three dimensional shape has existed for millennia. Some instances of the pyramid are more obvious an Evangelion reference (particularly to the sandbox scene), while others may simply be just a pyramid.
Gravion (超重神グラヴィオン)
In Gravion, the official residence of the president of the Allied Governments is a pyramid with an adjoining tower. The reference status of this similarity is reinforced by the fact that when we see the president in the very next shot, he's doing the Gendo Pose.
Great Teacher Onizuka (グレート・ティーチャー・オニヅカ)
While the class was in Okinawa, Yoshikawa can be seen building a sand castle similar to child Shinji's sandcastle (a pyramid) in the Sandbox Sequence in the End of Evangelion.
RahXephon (ラーゼフォン)
References in the January 2002 show RahXephon are usually a very hot topic for debate. But for the purposes of this section, 2 pyramids can be seen throughout the series, but cannot be confirmed as references to Evangelion.
Yakitate! Japan (焼きたて!!ジャぱん)
Yakitate! Japan (manga) by Takashi Hashiguchi and serialized starting in 2002 and getting a U.S. release starting in September of 2006, in the U.S. release volume 10, chapter 83, page 6, during Pierrot's flashback on a beach, his child self can be seen building a sandcastle, which turns out to be a pyramid and includes a frame very similar to the Sandbox Sequence in the End of Evangelion.
