Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 4 [Paperback]

Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Neon Genesis Evangelion (Viz) (Graphic Novels) | Publication Date: July 7, 2004

Japan's most controversial anime series is over...but not the manga version of Neon Genesis Evangelion! Series co-creator Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's personal interpretation of the Evangelion characters and story is sure to intrigue new and old fans alike. In 2015, the "Angels" have returned, and Shinji Ikari, a fourteen year-old child of the new Earth, is forced by his father Gendo-commander of the secret organization NERV-to pilot the monstrous biomechanical weapon called "Evangelion" to match the Angels' fearsome power. As a carrier fleet steams towards Japan carrying a mysterious embryonic form linked to the true origins of the human race, a hurricane is about to blow down Shinji's momentary peace: the wind through the red hair of Asuka Langley Soryu, the new Eva pilot arriving in Tokyo-3...One of the founding members of Gainax, Japan's most progressive anime studio, Evangelion's Yoshiyuki Sadamoto was also the character designer for their recent Adult Swim smash FLCL. EVA Vol. 4 contains a Japanese sound FX glossary plus a special bonus interview with the voice of Asuka, Battle Royale's Yuko Miyamura!

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 2nd edition (July 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591164028
• ISBN-13: 978-1591164029
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Comparison Between the Two., August 14, 2004

By 

tami "pinkboxcutter" (chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 4 (Paperback)

A question frequently asked by those familiar with Evangelion is whether the manga is better, or the anime. I've bought 2, 3, 4, and 8 of the manga, and read a considerable amount of those I don't own. I've also watched the entire anime series several times, as well as the two movies. With most animes, most people swear to either the animated series or the manga, but in this case, i completely recommend both.

The differences are HUGE, which is why I think its important to point them out. The anime is directed and written entirely by Hideaki Anno, who came up with the idea of Evagelion. Yoshiuki Sadamoto was also a key developer, but he is credited for only charater design in the anime. The manga is his retelling the sotry in his own way.

Anno and Sadamoto obviously have very different personalities, as seen in their works. Anno has a very somber style and in the anime, there is always tension due to human complexes. The presentation is more metaphorical and atmospheric, and uses sounds as well as visuals to relay unseen messages. More time is spent discussing the techinicals of the sciences, while Sadamoto quickly glosses over such explanations so he can get back to character development. Evangelion the animated series has religious overtures that have a deep link between events and the characters, but Sadamoto seems to just ignore that altogether. Fans of manga might find the complexity of the anime too moody, although it's highly sucessful as a psychological action anime.

Sadamoto, on the other hand, spends almost every page of the manga on character development. He inserts humor and gags, and gives the characters somewhat more generic personalities. Generic might even be considered preferable in this case, as many people complain about how subdued or bratty the characters were in the anime. As an artist, he uses body position to express things the anime never did. The storyline is pretty much reconstructed in a way that readers will say "cool!" where viewers of the anime would analyze for implications. Those who want a fun story should read the manga, and those who want to think should buy the anime.

I did both.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complexity And Simplicity At It's Finest, June 15, 2000

By 

Genki-ko Kinmak (Somewhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 4 (Paperback)

I found this anime series very unique and refreshing. I usually am not as much as a manga fan as I am a video anime fan, but this one passed my test. (I'm trying not to give it away) Since I'm following both the tapes and the books I say both are worthwhile. The storylines are almost the same, but the manga deals more about the characters and how they react and the anime is more about the fighting. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto did a good job of developing the personalities of each character, and the art is beautiful. I would recommend this series to anyone, every time you read it over you learn something new and exciting. There are tons of hidden layers, and it takes some time to find them all.

The Storyline: (In brief with no spoilers) A 14-year-old boy is beckoned by his estranged father that left him with his family before. He has to pilot the new Angel-fighting machines, handle the stress of saving the world, get along with not-so-easy to get along with people, and fight his own child-ish teenage emotions. It's a nice story showing the mature side of Shinji as wells as his adolescent side.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Manga, September 5, 2001

By 

David Morgan (Tucson, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Vol. 4 (Paperback)

I just had to write a review for this particular manga book, because it has my favorite character in it: Asuka. I know a lot of people don't like her, but i just love her character. And I must say that i was impressed with how well she came out in the manga. I'm a huge fan of the anime, but the manga goes even more in depth itno the characters and the workings of the world. Sadamoto's view of Evangelion is just as good, if not better in some respects, than the anime. Being able to see the character's thoughts helps a lot in understanding them, and I think that Sadamoto did an excellent job in showing the emotional depths of all the characters. I'll definetly be buying the rest of the manga as it comes out.