User:FelipeFritschF/Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA

Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA (エヴァンゲリオン ANIMA) (Previously known Neon Genesis EVANGELION (3 Years After) -ANIMA- and shortened as Evangelion ANIMA) is a light novel based on Neon Genesis Evangelion. It is set in an alternate future of the Evangelion anime series in which series main character Shinji Ikari manages to avert the Human Instrumentality Project, the culmination of the plot of the original series. It is authored by the series' mechanical designer, Ikuto Yamashita.

ANIMA is a considerably different story compared to the original series. It is set three years after the events of the original series, which are considerably altered. Several characters have their personalities altered into older and more mature versions of themselves, particularly the three main pilots Shinji, Asuka and Rei. It portrays a conflict between a reformed Nerv agency and Seele.

ANIMA was originallyserialized in Japan from 2008 to 2013, in the Dengeki Hobby magazine. It was later republished into tankōbon volumes in 2017, finished in 2019 and licenced by Seven Seas Entertainment for an English release beginning in 2019 and ending in 2021.

Plot
ANIMA is set into an alternative future, three years after the events of Neon Genesis Evangelion are cut short by Shinji managing to avert Seele's plans as they'd take place in The End of Evangelion. It portrays a conflict between a reformed Nerv agency and Seele, now denounced as a rogue organization, still attempting to enact the Human Instrumentality Project. Several new variations and upgrades of the Evangelion units fighting for both sides, including a mysterious, monstruously powerful autonomous Evangelion unit called Armaros.

Shinji is now taller and has long hair which he uses as a ponytail. He has matured a great deal, and is now the de-facto leader of the Eva Team. Asuka is a much more cheerful and happy self, having overcomed her childhood trauma, and is now much closer to Shinji, though she mantains some distance from Rei. Rei is referred to as a "No. Trois", in reference to her being the third Rei to appear in the series. She looks much more like her genetic donor Yui Ikari. There are also three more Rei clones present in the story, as Rei "No. Quatre", "No. Cinq" and "No. Six". Toji Suzahara now has cybernetic limbs. He is closer with Hikari Horaki, who is no longer class representative. Mari Makinami is also present as six-year old. Shinji's father Gendo Ikari was absorbed by a mysterious black barrier released by Lilith when Instrumentality was stopped, and his status is currently unknown. In his stead, Misato Katsuragi took over as Acting Commander of Nerv. Ryoji Kaji is not confirmed dead, and was instead kidnapped.

Release
To commemorate the series' 10th anniversary, ANIMA received a full print volume release, split into five books. The first two books were released simultaneously in Japan on November 30th, 2017 , and the last two were released in March 30th, 2019. On January 11 2019, Seven Seas Entertainment announced an English release, with the last release planned for June 29th, 2021. There is also a "visual book" containing artwork and for the series.

Reception
Right Stuf called ANIMA a "wild ride" and appreciated seeing the pilots interact as normal teenagers, but noted the it was "lacking the heart and realism of the original television series". Honey's Anime expressed a similar opinion: "It was amazing to witness the characters we’ve grown to love interacting with each other like the rest of us."