The Dawn of a Phenomenon: Evangelion's Rocky Start
Neon Genesis Evangelion exploded onto the anime scene with unprecedented impact, but its journey to iconic status was anything but smooth. From licensing battles dubbed "EvaGate '96" to deeply divisive endings that sparked fan outrage and even threatened its creator, the early days of Evangelion were a maelstrom of confusion, controversy, and critical reception that shaped the anime landscape forever. Let's revisit the tumultuous beginnings of this legendary series.
EvaGate '96: The Licensing Labyrinth
The first major hurdle in Evangelion's international spread was the infamous "EvaGate '96." It began with ADV Films announcing they had acquired the North American rights to the TV series, promising "all new animation." This claim immediately raised eyebrows and was swiftly contradicted by Gainax General Manager Takeda Yasuhiro, who, through his in-house translator, declared ADV had no rights and threatened legal action for copyright infringement. ADV's Williams later clarified that MOVIC had led them to believe the show would be redone with OVA-quality animation. To bewildered fans following the drama on RAA (rec.arts.anime), it seemed a clear case of misinformation or worse. This incident, aptly named "EvaGate '96" by RAA user Angst-sensei, set the stage for a dramatic and confusing introduction to the Western audience.
Adding to the chaos, Gainax began cracking down on English fan sites, a move that struck some as hypocritical given their own fan origins but was likely a desperate measure to protect their intellectual property. Two months later, Gainax announced re-dubs and extensive retake footage for episodes 19-24, with the final episodes being remade "using their original scripts." This ultimately led to the Director's Cuts and The End of Evangelion, clarifying the vision but not the initial confusion. Whether it was a communication breakdown or a complex game of telephone across languages, EvaGate remains a testament to the early complexities of international anime licensing.
The Controversial Climax: Fan Fury Over the Final Episodes
As the series progressed, fan reactions intensified. While episodes 21 and onward toned down explicit content, the violence present was described as "disturbing though. Ugly, real, and sickening." The iconic elevator scene in episode 22 was noted by one Japanese user as being too long, and the Rei clones' giggling during a major reveal was found unsettling. Yet, surprisingly, little discussion was found on RAA regarding episode 24, where a significant character met a shocking end. Carl Horn's personal reaction, as detailed in the manga's coda, humorously captured the episode's infamous still frames: from initial dramatic anticipation to budget-saving cynicism, eventually breaking through to admiration for director Hideaki Anno's bold artistic choice.
The real storm, however, broke with episodes 25 and 26. These episodes, which largely abandoned narrative events for a deep psychological dive into the main characters, particularly Shinji, left fans livid. Japanese viewers expressed outrage: "I was stunned! I thought the ending was a bad joke!" and "The creators didn't care about the fans' feelings! I almost threw up!" On RAA, comparisons ranged from Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer to The Prisoner and earlier Gainax works like Gunbuster. William Chow suggested that the ending defied common anime structural expectations, leaving many feeling "left hanging, unsatisfied." The open-ended nature sparked a multitude of theories, as viewers desperately sought closure.
One of the most memorable reactions came from Spike Spencer, the English voice actor for Shinji. Unaware of the ending's nature, his raw, unscripted outburst upon hearing "congratulations" – demanding an open mic to "rant, man" – was so authentic that ADV included it as an Easter egg in later releases. It perfectly encapsulated the collective shock and frustration felt by many.
Anno's Unfathomable Ordeal and Public Confrontation
The impact of these final episodes extended far beyond fan forums. The documentary Hideaki Anno: The Final Challenge of Evangelion revealed the shocking personal toll on Anno. He believed he had given his best to the fans, but the deluge of criticism, coupled with online threads detailing methods to kill him, pushed him to the brink. "When I saw that, I lost my will to live. I didn't want to make anime anymore," Anno confessed, admitting to contemplating suicide twice. In 1996, such targeted online harassment was a new and terrifying phenomenon, creating an incredibly distressing and isolating experience for the creator.
Despite the turmoil, many fans longed for answers directly from Anno. That opportunity arose at Anime Expo 1996 in Anaheim, California. Anno, a celebrated figure for his previous works, was a guest alongside other anime luminaries. During his panel, where he appeared visibly tired, Anno addressed the controversies head-on. When asked about episodes 25 and 26, his response was famously blunt: "I have no problem with them. If there's a problem, it's all with you guys. Too bad." He even delivered the last two words in English as the audience complained. He offered insights into the characters, noting their "sickness" and expressing surprise that Western audiences preferred Misato over Rei, citing that Japanese viewers preferred Rei because "They can't handle strong women such as Misato and Asuka." He acknowledged Shinji reflected conscious and unconscious parts of himself, admitting, "I acknowledged that I'm a fool," and described Gendo as a ruthless figure who "hardly cares about Shinji."
Legacy and Enduring Impact
On August 20th, 1996, the first volume of Evangelion officially launched on VHS in North America, followed by Laser Disc. This, alongside fan-subs, ignited a cultural phenomenon. Discussion boards, fan art, fan sites, and merchandise proliferated. Spike Spencer, observing this fervent fan base, found it "frightening," concerned when people "start taking the fun out of things." Today, while the RAA forum has faded, platforms like the Evangelion subreddit and Evageeks.org continue the discourse, testament to the show's enduring mystery and depth.
Anno eventually completed the story with Evangelion: Death & Rebirth and The End of Evangelion, returning later for the New Theatrical Edition films. The original TV series, now critically acclaimed and easily accessible on streaming platforms and Blu-ray, stands as a monument to bold storytelling. Its challenging early days, fraught with licensing battles, fan outrage, and immense personal pressure on its creator, were integral to forging the anime ecosystem we know today. The journey of Evangelion reminds us that revolutionary art often emerges from the crucible of controversy.
