Originally created by Hideaki Anno, Neon Genesis Evangelion has been reinterpreted and re-imagined by multiple creators. While some mangakas have reinterpreted Evangelion as a romantic comedy (Shinji Ikari Raising Project) or as a supernatural thriller (Gakuen Datenroku), Evangelion's first major reinvention coincided with the anime's debut, by this I mean the manga adaptation of Yoshiyuki Sadamoto.
Sadamoto was the character designer for the original anime. Although he worked together with Anno, he did not share the same vision that the director had of the series; the designer only considered Neon Genesis Evangelion as "another one of his works". However, when he got a chance to tell his own side of the story through the manga, Sadamoto created possibly the best version of Evangelion ever written. Although not perfect, the manga is an excellent reinterpretation of Anno's original idea.
Different rhythms
On paper, Sadamoto's manga adaptation of Neon Genesis Evangelion closely follows the rhythm of the anime, almost going hand in hand with the transition of events. However, the most subtle differences between anime and manga arise, in fact, from the beginning. The manga adds a moment when Shinji Ikari reflects on his life before leaving for Tokyo-3 to meet Misato. This small difference offers a little more information about Shinji's previous life.
The plot is a little different in almost all its extension. Asuka is portrayed very differently, with her facing Angel Gaghiel in her own way, with Shinji watching the fight through video. The manga only features 13 angels, while the anime shows 17. In the animated series, when the Evangelion-03 Unit is contaminated by an Angel, the Touji pilot loses a leg. However, in the manga Touji is killed by Shinji ... and unlike in the anime, Shinji knew that Touji was the pilot of Unit-03 from the beginning. Moving towards the end, it is not Misato who saves Shinji when he is cornered by the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the attack on NERV, but his own father, Gendo Ikari.
Because the manga had all the time in the world to tell its story, Sadamoto was able to not leave any loose ends throughout the plot. In the series, it is never explained why Misato has Pen-Pen, or the story behind Kaji's actions, but in the manga she does. Sadamoto also made small changes to increase the dramatic factor. For example, in episode # 4 of the anime, Shinji runs away due to being drowned in his great obligation and responsibility to pilot EVA-01. But in the manga, he runs away because he realizes that Misato is spying on him and documenting every action he does. These types of changes generate a more dramatic plot in which each action and event generates the next.
Differences in characters
Sadamoto portrays Neon Genesis Evangelion characters differently than Anno did. These differences in characterization are further increased as the manga story progresses. Asuka, for example, is a human born from a test tube. While the back story involving her mother is almost the same, Asuka is actually the "perfect boy." She is also more self-centered and immature, putting much more effort into showing that she doesn't need the support of any adult. Rei, on the other hand, is much more docile and warmer than in the anime, displaying a greater range of emotions at all times. Rei even develops a romantic interest in Shinji. For his part, Kaji goes from being an authority figure with little participation, to becoming almost Shinji's mentor. By contrast, his father, Gendo Ikari, is much colder and heartless in this version.
However, it should be noted that the two characters that undergo the most drastic changes are Shinji and Kaworu. Kaworu is introduced in the manga much earlier than in the anime, specifically at the time when Asuka's timing with EVA-02 begins to decrease. He is introduced showing Asuka how he kills a small cat and making Asuka uncomfortable in the process. Although Kaworu is a rather strange boy who, in fact, is the one who most affection comes to show Shinji in the anime, the manga version of this character is simply much superior. Shinji doesn't like Kaworu, in fact, he avoids it whenever he can.
This obviously leads to the most radically changed character in the manga: Shinji Ikari. The changes implemented in Shinji completely change the story of the manga compared to that of the anime. Many came to criticize Shinji's development in the anime for being quite passive and slow in his narrative. In the animated series, Shinji was presented as a very vulnerable person whose experiences lead him to break emotionally and stop distinguishing reality. Although Shinji also suffers from emotional havoc and constant anguish in the manga, he is also a much more assertive character.
Evangelion's most optimistic ending?
All the changes mentioned above lead, obviously, to a different ending in the manga which is, in fact, much more optimistic. Some of the dark elements shown in the movie The End of Evangelion, such as Shinji masturbating in front of Asuka in a coma, Asuka's violent death devoured by EVA Mass Production Units, and the apocalyptic epilogue are altered. Even the reasons why Shinji unknowingly starts the Human Instrumentalization Project are completely different.
Some may prefer the version of Evangelion that is more depressing and with an existential dilemma within it. It is undeniable that the animated Evangelion series represents a fantastic exploration of human psychology and the existence of fear itself, with a highly memorable cast of characters. However, while the original series is a monumental achievement of the anime industry, it never hurts to have a second point of view of the story, which even presents a different ending.
And in the latter is where Sadamoto's manga comes into play. The manga story takes the narrative Anno created and tweaks it to work more like a story with a more optimistic ending. Of course, the plot is not without dark moments, and in fact, some scenes are even more visceral than in anime. However, in contrast to the series' strange ending that is supplemented by the film's apocalyptic ending, the characters in the manga achieve a happy ending. Sadamoto's Evangelion is an easier work to understand than anime, offering characters Anno created the opportunity to find happiness.
© khara, inc.
