Neon Genesis Evangelion: Differences Between The Anime & Manga

Neon Genesis Evangelion is arguably the most influential anime of all time. Here’s how it stacks up against the manga version.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is possibly the most influential anime of all time, having spawned a series of sequels, spin-offs, rebuilds, toys, cosplay mania, video games, and even a popular manga series. Even now, twenty-four years after its first release by Gainax in 1996, its aesthetics and symbolism can be seen and felt.

But how does the show vary from the comic book adaptation? Between the lines of the printed page, what was changed and/or investigated further? There are a few. Let’s take a look at each one separately.

Toji

Toji Suzuhara is a classmate of Shinji’s, and one of two boys who become close friends with the Third Child as he adjusts to life in Tokyo 3. Toji is also the student who punches Shinji out after his initial fight with Zachiel, which resulted in Toji’s younger sister being hurt as a result of the fight.

Suzuhara is eventually chosen as the Fourth Child by the Marduke Institute, which is tasked for developing new eva pilots. Toji’s time as a battle-bot operator, however, is cut short when his Evangelion is taken over by the angel Bardiel during a sync test.As a result, Shinji is forced to totally destroy the cyborg that houses his companion, and what follows afterwards varies drastically between the two versions. Toji is killed outright in the combat in the comic; in the anime, the youngster only loses his leg.

Shinji’s Living Situation

Even if it’s a tiny difference, it’s still a difference. Shinji Ikari, the primary protagonist of Neon Genesis Evangelion, has a strained relationship with his father, Gendo Ikari, the Evangelion Project’s mastermind. Shinji’s father is the chief of NERV, the paramilitary force tasked with battling the invading angels, therefore he isn’t always present, leaving the youngster to live elsewhere in Tokyo 3.

Shinji lives with his handler, NERV agent Major Misato Katsuragi, in the anime. Shinji lives with his aunt and uncle in the manga.

The Ending

One of the most common criticisms of the og anime series is that after defeating Tabris, creator Hedeaki Anno left the show on a cliffhanger (Kowaru). Instead, the final two episodes were a strange, contemplative art film that didn’t do anything to wrap up the arcs of many of our favorite characters.

Enter End of Evangelion, the anime film that was also utilized as the official ending to the long-running manga series… sort of. While the events of the film and comic book are conceptually similar, their execution differs, allowing for a fascinating comparison. For example, unlike the comic, Asuka does not die in the manga. Shinji’s father, Gendo Ikari, saves Shinji with an A-T Field emanating from Adam’s eyeball in his hand, bringing the father-son arc to a close.

Shinji’s Bravery

While Shinji is still a young hero with serious daddy issues in all mediums, his characteristics are slightly different. The youngster is nonetheless unhappy in both cases, but the manner his sorrow motivates him is different in each.

Shinji’s character in the anime is shy, even passive, and is frequently shown wallowing in his own self-pity and sadness. Shinji’s familial issues make him brazen in the manga, and he is willing to fight to establish himself.

Asuka’s Past

Last but not least, while we’re on the subject of characters, Asuka Langley Sohryu aka the Second Child, whose manga history differs from the one provided to her in Anno’s anime series.

Asuka was born in Germany to an American father and a Japanese mother who died when she was a small child, according to the anime. However, Asuka was artificially inseminated and raised in a test tube in the manga.

Kaworu And Shinji’s Relationship

Near the end of Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the most significant storyline arcs occurs. Kowaru is introduced as a new student at Shinji’s school in both versions. In many aspects, Kowaru is bizarre and uncannily similar to Rei, yet he is considerably more introspective and conversational. Shinji and Kowaru rapidly become friends, as the Third Child is fascinated by Kowaru’s oddity.

But, as it turns out, Kowaru is the final angel, compelling Shinji to murder his newfound buddy before the Adamite can destroy Central Dogma. Kowaru, on the other hand, is introduced much earlier in the comic and is shown murdering a kitten. Shinji doesn’t like Kowaru at first and intentionally keeps his distance from him. The two eventually become friends, and the remainder follows the plot of the TV show.