Tributes to Other Fiction in Neon Genesis Evangelion: Difference between revisions

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In Episode 04, after exiting the bus, Shinji rests by a statue of Jizo-san, the patron deity of travelers and children.  This shot is apparently a tribute to a similar shot from Miyazaki's '''My Neighbor Totoro.'''
In Episode 04, after exiting the bus, Shinji rests by a statue of Jizo-san, the patron deity of travelers and children.  This shot is apparently a tribute to a similar shot from Miyazaki's '''My Neighbor Totoro.'''
==Detonator Orgun==
''Detonator Orgun'' is a three-episode OAV from 1991. While it's impossible to tell for certain whether or not it actually influenced the creators of Evangelion, there are a number of similarities that are worth noticing, even if they are entirely coincidental:
The main character Tomoru synchronizes with a sentient alien bio-mecha; however, it is later revealed that the "aliens" are, in fact, not aliens at all, but super-evolved humans. The final episode features shamelessly overblown biblical symbolism, most notably in the form of Orgun's final attack, the Grand Cruciform. Smaller visual details include a naked girl floating in a tube, and a couple of [[Gendo Pose|Gendo Poses]].


==Oniisama E==
==Oniisama E==

Revision as of 19:50, 23 January 2008

As the title says, this page is for listing references or tributes to other shows found in evangelion.

My Neighbor Totoro

Shinji rests by a statue of Jizo-san
The lost Mei rests by statues of Jizo-san.


In Episode 04, after exiting the bus, Shinji rests by a statue of Jizo-san, the patron deity of travelers and children. This shot is apparently a tribute to a similar shot from Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro.

Detonator Orgun

Detonator Orgun is a three-episode OAV from 1991. While it's impossible to tell for certain whether or not it actually influenced the creators of Evangelion, there are a number of similarities that are worth noticing, even if they are entirely coincidental:

The main character Tomoru synchronizes with a sentient alien bio-mecha; however, it is later revealed that the "aliens" are, in fact, not aliens at all, but super-evolved humans. The final episode features shamelessly overblown biblical symbolism, most notably in the form of Orgun's final attack, the Grand Cruciform. Smaller visual details include a naked girl floating in a tube, and a couple of Gendo Poses.

Oniisama E

In Episode 18, a scene from the Shoujo classic Oniisama E aka Brother Dear Brother is reconstructed almost shot-by-shot. First they establish that two close friends are chatting in a park.

Two friends chat in a park
Asuka and Hikari chat in a park


Then there is a lingering shot of their feet...

A lingering shot of their feet
A lingering shot of their feet


and then a shot of a nearby sandbox including a pail and shovel. The cast of Oniisama E also includes characters named "Rei Asaka" aka "Hana no Saint Juste" (Saint Juste of the Flowers), and "Kaworu Orihara" aka "Kaworu no Kimi" (Prince Kaworu).

A shot of a nearby sandbox, with pail and shovel
A shot of a nearby sandbox, with pail and shovel


2001: A Space Odyssey

Perhaps the most well-known science fiction tribute in the series, Seele's black monoliths are taken from Stanley Kubrick's classic 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

An accurate portrayal of Evangelion and its fans.


The Andromeda Strain

(This list details some of the more notable references to Wise's 1971 movie version of The Andromeda Strain. As the movie is a very loyal adaptation of Crichton's original novel, the thematic and plotline similarities between the book and Evangelion Episode 13 are largely present in it as well and are not repeated here. Most of these findings originate from the Evangelion Mailing List FAQ (although they never had screenshots), so once solid SAUCE guidelines are in place, we must give credit where credit is due.)

Interrupted call

Dr. Stone has been hauled away from his home by some "army types with guns". His wife Allison is distressed and tries to call her father who is a senator.

"Thank you for your cooperation"
Allison: You tell the senator it's his daughter!
Senator: Allison?
Allison: Dad, something very peculiar has just happened, even for Jeremy. A few minutes ago...
(Phone begins to beep.)
Allison: Dad, are you there? What's going on?
Female voice: This communication is being monitored. The connection has been broken for reasons of national security. You will be briefed at the appropriate time. Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs. Stone.


In Episode 19 (Platinum subtitles):

Kensuke: Are you there, Shinji? Is it true that you're leaving? It's true, isn't it? But why? Why are you running away now? I wanted to be like you. I envied you. You're different from us. Damn! Even Toji became an Eva pilot, while I...
(Phone beeps.)
Female voice: This line is monitored. For security reasons, we have terminated this call. We appreciate your cooperation.

Flashes in the sky

An Air Force jet on standby.
Hall: Up there! Look.
Stone: An Air Force jet. If we don't make it to Wildfire, he'll see the helicopter does... or shoot it down.
Hall: Well, for Dempsey's sake, we better not slip up.


In Episode 10 (Platinum subtitles):

Shinji: What are those?
Ritsuko: The UN's Air Force is on standby alert.
Ibuki: Until this mission has been completed.
Asuka: Are they going to help us?
Ritsuko: No, they're here to clean up.
Ibuki: In case we fail.
Asuka: What do you mean?
Ritsuko: They will use N2 depth charges to destroy the Angel, and us with it.
Asuka: That's awful!

Open transmission

"Order up a 7-12."
Stone: The town is finished, contaminated beyond all...
Major Manchek: Careful, sir. This is an open transmission.
Stone: I'm aware of that, Manchek. Order up a 7-12.
Major Manchek: Only the president...
Stone: Precisely. Get on it. The town must be neutralized immediately.


In Episode 10 (Platinum subtitles):

Misato: There's no doubt, it's an Angel. As of now, this laboratory will be completely sealed off! It's under Nerv's jurisdiction now! Any and all access to the outside world is prohibited, and all records of the events of the past six hours are classified. Request an A-17 from Commander Ikari, top priority!
Aoba: Watch what you're saying. This is an open line.
Misato: I know. Hurry up and switch to a scrambled line.

Code 601

"The computer's overloaded!"

During a simulation of how the Andromeda Cell functions, an error message appears on the main computer monitor.

Dutton: What the devil?
Stone: 601? The computer's overloaded! Too much data coming in too fast.


In Episode 05 (Platinum subtitles):

Misato: What the heck is this?
Ritsuko: That's the code number for "cannot be analyzed".
Misato: You mean, you don't know what the heck it is?

The Shaft

Both the wildfire facility and the geofront have a large shaft running deep below and past several levels, and the visual displays for both are very similar.

The layout of wildfire, complete with shaft and multiple levels
The much larger but remarkably similar Geofront



Other visuals

  • As opposed to the usual octagonal, Ireul's A.T. Field projections are hexagonal in shape. Andromeda Cells, although constantly evolving, most often assume a form of a hexagonal crystal.
Andromeda Cells
Ireul's A.T. Field


  • The placards in Episode 20 use the same method of counting time (black background with Nth DAY).
A time placard from Andromeda Strain
Episode 20

The Orphan Conversation

Hideaki Anno has made multiple uses of what has been dubbed, the "Orphan Conversation". Which always ends with some variation on "we're the same".

From Nadia, the Secret of Blue Water (Anno's series before Evangelion):

Jean Questions Nadia about her parents
It's the same with me
Nadia tells Jean she has no parents


(Jean and Nadia have just escaped from the Grandis Gang and are traveling down river by boat.)
Jean: "Where will you go now? Back to the circus?"
Nadia: "I can't go back."
Jean: "What about your folks?"
Nadia: "I don't have any."
Jean: "I see. It's the same with me."

From Neon Genesis Evangelion:

Shinji mentions Kensuke's mother
I'm the same as you, Ikari
Kensuke tells Shinji he has no mother


(Shinji has met Kensuke in the wilderness)
Kensuke: "I really envy you. Living with such a beautiful woman and getting to pilot Evangelion. Oh, I wish I could get behind the controls just once!"
Shinji: "You'd better not. Your mother would be worried."
Kensuke: "Ah, that's okay. I don't have one."
Shinji: "Ah…"
Kensuke: "I'm the same as you, Ikari."

From Kareshi Kanojo no Jijo (aka Kare Kano, aka His and Hers Circumstance) (Anno's series after Evangelion)

The kneeling girl pats the sandpile
Brings back the memories? It sure does!


(Yukino's parents, Hiroyuki and Miyako pass by three children in a sandbox with the ubiquitous pail and shovel.)

Miyako asks about Hiroyuki's parents; he has none.
Guess we're the same
Miyako tells Hiroyuki she has no mother


(In a flashback episode about Yukino's parents' courtship, Hiroyuki and Miyako are hiding on top of a public restroom while playing hide and seek.)
Miyako: "Hey, Hiro."
Hiroyuki: "Yeah?"
Miyako: "Hiro, is it true that you don't have a father or mother?"
Hiroyuki: "Yeah, that's right."
Miyako: "Um, you know? I don't have a mother either. Guess were the same."
Hiroyuki: "The same?"

Space Runaway Ideon

The Sun, Earth and Moon at the end of Ideon

Souls fall towards Earth's oceans







Flying through space like shooting stars, souls in a starfield
Yui's soul streaking through a starfield as she makes contact with Shinji





  • Singing happy bithday to the children...the origins of the Evangelion use of the word "children" for the Eva pilots and a forerunner of the "congratulations" ending scene.
Happy birthday to you, dear children...
Congratulations to the children!