Neon Genesis Evangelion, Volume 2: Special Collector's Edition

by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

Books based on the landmark animated series that redefined the mecha genre. Japan's most controversial anime series is over...but not the manga version of Neon Genesis Evangelion Series co-creator... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 156931344X
• ISBN13: 9781569313442
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Viz Media
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Mecha series with a Great Start

Neon Genesis Evangelion still is a highly acclaimed anime series. As the back of this volume says, it is/was "the bestselling manga version of Japan's most controversial anime series!" Yes, what this means is that this mange series was written after the actual anime series was completed. It is simply not a retelling of the animation series, but a subtly diverging interpretation. This was my first ever foray into the Evangelion series. Volume 1 of the manga story introduces a boy who lives in a world in which he seems to have zero confidence about himself and wonders why his father, who he hasn't seen in years, decided to send him a postcard telling him to see him. Meanwhile, the United Nations forces are fighting an enemy, known as an Angel, who is omnipotent in the opening. The forces are decimated and the area destroyed, and a a new person is put on as the head of operations, ironically, it is the main characters father. He immediately commands them to send in the Prototype EVA 01, which is the giant mecha (basically where the "Evangelion" portion of the series comes from) to face off against the Angel. The intro immediately picks up the pace by having the main character interact with the EVA by it protecting him and allowing him escape into the underground hidden complex of the creators of the EVA. Apart from the fights with the two giant mechanical fighters, the authors seemed to have added an element of character conflict. This plot device works to force the reader to turn pages quickly as they try to figure out what the character will do and if the character will remedy the tension that exists between them and the other one. It is the secondary underlying plot, that I assume will take a larger role in future volumes, but here it was quite minimal except for in the moment of high intensity in the middle of the volume and in the conclusion. The main character is an interesting character and people will most likely find themselves rooting for him. The only other antagonist that isn't an angel is probably his father who he has trouble with in terms of communicating or understanding. The Angel is the bad guy here but the writers didn't do a great job at explaining it or its mystery, so we can only assume that it will be explained in subsequent volumes. The only criticism I have for this novel is that the shading used in the action sequences is so intense that it gets difficult at identifying that which is going on. Oftentimes, I imagine people will find themselves having to slow down and actual peer deeply into several of the panels to understand that which is happening. For example in a few of them one can barely make out it a laser beam was fired, or if the head of the EVA or Angel was grabbed, or even which is which. All in all this is pretty solid offering and a great start to the series. If this is someone's first foray into the Evangelion universe, I would suggest giving this a read and sticking with this series. It migh

A gift from God to mankind

This is the greatest literary work existing. When I read it the first time I was overjoyed by the mere existence of something as wonderful as this book. The plot is wonderful, so are the characters (you'll love Asuka, Shinji, and all the others!). There is only one good reason for not buying this book, and that is not having read the earlier volumes. Buy them, and the buy this. I can promise you you'll be glad you did. Noone could dislike this book.

quiet relationships

Vol. 3 is one of my fav simply because of how the story is and what ahppenes. Here ur left to wonder of many but still feel satisfied. The conversations are informative and as always the art is perfect. there is also some comody and some quite controvesial scenes u might wanna check out. :D

Lots of thumbs up

Neon Genesis Evangelion is far most the best manga/anime i have ever seen and read. The plot of the story gives it real life and deals with very much sci-fi and mecha. It also revolves around a world where our world could probably end up being. The characters are very vivid and interesting and my knowledge of Eva is far more than what i am writing here. If anyone would like to email feel free to!

C'mon Shinji, take that prozac

What's there to say, Shinji just isn't having the best of luck. The 2nd addition to the much loved Neon Genesis Evangelion gives us some humor and some more hardcore EVA/Angel fighting. It's Shinji's first day in his new school, and someone's already looking for trouble. Misato kicks back a few cold ones about when, every day? To Shinji's suprise she has a full refrigerator just full of beer! Pen-Pen and Shinji still have to do some bird/boy bonding, and stealing the jerky doesn't help. Shinji continues training in EVA-01 and wages battle with the one wierd Angel, while Touji and Aida come along for the ride, and then, whoopsies!, the power cord gets sliced. Can Shinji save the day again? Shinji then decides to jump ship on Nerv. Misato, now's your time. In this book we see the compassionate side of Misato, as well as Shinji's utter lack of self confidence. The emotions just shown with facial expressions is incredible. I fell in love withthe art as soon as I saw it. What I think was one of the most important parts of the book was just one sentence. Through Ritsuko, we actually see just how cold Gendo Ikari really is. See if you can find it. A must-have addition to any manga or anime fan's collection.