Product Details

• Actors: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi, Spike Spencer, Allison Keith
• Directors: Hiroyuki Ishidô, Kazuya Tsurumaki, Keiichi Sugiyama, Masahiko Ôtsuka, Masayuki
• Writers: Hideaki Anno
• Format: Animated, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Adv Films
• DVD Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (161 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004REOQ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,918 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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• For more information about "Neon Genesis Evangelion, Collection 0:1 (Episodes 1-4)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of the most popular anime series of all time, Neon Genesis Evangelion offers interesting characters, sophisticated direction, and solid storytelling. A giant meteor struck Antarctica in 2000, devastating much of the Earth. Since then, humans and the mysterious aliens known as Angels have been locked in a deadly struggle. In 2015, scientists at the NERV Center in the fortress-city of Tokyo 3 are developing ways to combat the Angels, notably the Human Enhancement Project and the giant battle robots called Evangelions. Fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari, whose aloof father heads these research projects, is drafted to pilot Evangelion Unit 01. Shinji is a reluctant hero, as many mecha pilots are, but his reluctance is not just an arbitrary whim; it's rooted in his estrangement from his father. Shy and socially maladroit, Shinji displays a likable warmth the grimly taciturn teenagers in ordinary mecha shows lack. Rounding out the cast are Rei Ayanami, the silent, albino pilot of Unit 00; irrepressible Misato Katsuragi, who serves as a substitute mother to Shinji; technical expert Ritsuko Akagi; and Shinji's classmates Toji Suzuhara and Kensuke Aida. Evangelion offers a dark vision of the future, but director Hideaki Anno presents it very skillfully. Episodes include: 1. "Angel Attack," 2. "Unfamiliar Ceiling," 3. "The Phone That Never Rings," 4. "Rain, Escape & Afterwards." Not rated; suitable for ages 14 and up: robot vs. robot violence, brief nudity, and minor profanity. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So what do you *really* get for your money ?, September 11, 2004

By	Takahashii (Amersfoort, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum Collection 1 + Series Box (DVD)

I've been an Evangelion fan for quite some time and because of that I decided to start collecting the Platinum series in addition to my current EVA collection (Perfect Collection, Death/Rebirth, End of Evangelion and the two Director Cut DVD's) but with all products I see 2 kinds of reviews: in favor of the product or against it. But never something descriptive, so now I'm having a shot at it.

So what is the Platinum collection... Its a re-make of the original Neon Genesis Evangelion series. The sound dub's have been re-mastered (and in some cases re-done, for example the Japanese 5.1 dub) and the animation itself has been enhanced. This enhancement consists of a re-creation of the original picture (you can see this very clearly when comparing the original with this version) as well as newly added material. In contrary to what most people (including Amazon) say this DVD does hold new material, even though some of it consists of scenes which only last for 1 or 2 seconds. And if you've seen the original you can see that these small extra's really can enhance the overal experience.

This release also makes it quite clear that its aimed toward collectors. The DVD comes in a (cardbord) box which is shaped in the same way as the "Perfect Collection" box, it only has a different print and uses a different color (silver/grey). The box has room to house all 7 DVD releases. The DVD box is inserted in a silver cardbord box which has some very nice decorations on it. This one features a line-drawing of Shinji standing in front of some powerlines (as can be seen in the first episode) at the front, the back tells you what episodes are on the DVD. The DVD box itself comes with a very nice booklet which explains whats on the DVD and also has some nice Evangelion artwork. And to finish up; you'll get your own "Nerv Parking Permit"; a shine-through sticker which you can stick on the inside window of your car. All in all: its very clear that this isn't just an ordinary Evangelion DVD.

However, although the Platinum collection is a very good DVD its not as good as the original. Its like comparing a book with a movie: the book describes details and leave you to make up your own image of the scenes. In the original Evangelion serie not everything was drawn in precise detail, thus leaving it up to the viewer to form the complete picture. In my opinion this adds a lot to the whole experience. Things don't always have to be perfect in order to be experienced as perfect.

So is the Platinum collection worth it ?

If you are a fan of the series I'd say yes. Even if you already own the original series I'd still advice you to consider this one as well (a bit like Star Wars and the later released extended version) simply because of the extra's it offers and is going to offer.

However, if you just want to get an impression of the "Evangelion experience" then I'd advice you to seriously consider as to what you really want. If you just want a peek then this is a good DVD: cheaper than the original, holds 1 more episode than the original release 0-1 and has some nice collectors items.

But if you're new and plan on getting the whole serie then I'd advice you to start with the "Perfect Collection". Its cheaper, its original material and by the time you've finished that one you can always consider getting the Platinum collection. I'm pretty sure that a whole boxed set will eventually be released, which will probably cost you a lot less than collecting every DVD seperatly.

But... For fans this is really a must have collection.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Volume one to the greatest story ever told, May 11, 2000

By	Blue Drake (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

Evangelion is without a doubt, my favorite animated series ever made. The story is beyond compare: it is the year 2015, in a post-apocalyptic setting. Creatures called Angels are attacking the city of Tokyo III, and the only way to combat them is with massive and mysterious robots called Evangelions, which can only be piloted by a 14-year old Child, born during the Second Impact. Confusing, right? Well throw in some incredibly deep philosophical ponderings, and religious ideologies, and you have a show that will drop your jaw with it's action-packed battles, stir you with it's intricate dramatic storyline, and ultimately change your life forever. Volume One has the first four Evangelion episodes, which basically introduce you to the story and the main characters: Shinji, Katsuragi, and Rei (unfortunatly, my favorite character, Asuka, isn't introduced until later episodes). The DVD features both the English version, and the Japanese subtitled version (as well as Spanish and French versions), and of course, enhanced picture and sound as well as some other goodies, making this the ultimate Eva. Now I can't wait for the others.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anno's Masterpiece joins the DVD Age, May 21, 2000

By	Tomm (California, USA) - See all my reviews

Ah, Evangelion. As almost every other anime fan out there, I saw this series years ago and instantly fell in love with it. So I was obviously looking forward to the (oft delayed) DVD release. So how does it rate? Pretty well. ADV has taken many steps to "localize" the show even further than it already had. Notes and papers that flash up on the screen have been translated completely from their Japanese into English. The "giant kanji title bars" of the VHS version have been scrapped in favor of subtle appearing text. While I appreciate the effort, I'm not sure why Gainax authorized this, and I could do without it. The english voices are decent. Being the only anime-fan who's watched the entire series dub, I can assure any fans that the acting only improves as the series progresses. The video quality isn't bad, despite what I've been hearing. I actually remember feeling that the VHS quality was substandard in the original recording, with off-center title bars and the like. That quickly became part of Eva's charm, and I'm glad that it's been retained, really. It isn't bad, it just hasn't changed. I did spot a few DVD transfer errors in this disc--choppy frames or skipping flashy parts. Hopefully ADV's DVD editor will pay a bit more attention in subsequent releases. Evangelion is a masterpiece, and should be experienced by everyone, anime fan or not. Its broad, sweeping scope and tragically real characters elevate the series to a plateau of excellence. I'm glad I have an excuse to watch it all again (and again...in four languages!) So if you've never had the pleasure of seeing Eva before...why haven't you already bought the disc? Do it now! If you've already gone through it all...I would recommend giving serious consideration to the DVD release--afterall, it'll last forever! Just..keep the VHS version around to introduce newbies to the full impact.