Neon Genesis Evangelion Genre: Action/Drama Carrot's Overall Score:  9.0

Reviewer: CarrotMuncher
Type of Review: General

This series was the first series which I had been intorduced to during my adult life. As a child I had been a huge fan of Voltron, Robotech, Etc. Since this was my first series, It will forever hold a special place in my heart. ;p

On to the review.

The sheer entertainment value of Evangelion:Neon Genesis, deserves a 10. I found the series to start out pleasant and entertaining on a superficial level. As the series progressed, It was difficult for me to make it through a day without the urge to see the next episode. This series could take any ordinary, normal, person; and turn them into a full anime-addict overnight. This combination of story, action, comedy, suspense and drama is a sure mix that could hold the attention of just about anyone willing to watch the first couple episodes. At a past Anime Central I found myself in one of the viewing rooms at 3 am; drunk, tired, and hungry. However, I could not turn myself away from a screen showing nothing but flashing scenes and subtitiles. It was the last episode of the series, it made no sense, it gave me a headache, it made my eyes hurt; however, I had to watch it. An anime that can keep ones attention with incongruent sounds and flashing pictures has to be entertaining.

Story, 8. It is Evangelion's story which helps addict people, but also may cause it's popularity the most harm. From the start it is an excellent series, however, someone watching the series from the midway point would be utterly lost. I can understand why someone not seeing the entire series wouldn't enjoy it. I beleive the complexity of the story is its greatest strength, but also it's greatest fault. Thus the 8 given for it's rating. Also, The story starts out innocent enough, but by the end it has turned as dark, depressing and tragic as any Stephan King novel could hope to be. Some people may be turned off by this, however, I like tragic stories, it makes it more beleiveable.

Characters, 10: Character development is superb. By then end of the series, an individual could find themselves identifing with most of the characters. Every character is FUBARed emotionally, and has some great psychological misfunction. One can sense that a great amount of time had been spent to hand carve each character's personality.

Animation, 10: The combat sequnces are excellent. In the final movie, Asuka's battle of redemption is perhaps my favorite sequence from any anime I have ever scene. It even ranks as one of the greatest moments in any movie/anime I've seen.

Overall, 9. This series is a great one. It's a good one to have a marathon to.