Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days

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Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days

Genre	Romance Shojo Comedy
Manga: Neon Genesis Evangelion Angelic Days
Authored by	Fumino Hayashi
Publisher	Kadokawa Shoten ADV Manga Editorial Vid Conrad Editora Carlsen Comics Ivrea Norma Panini Comics Siam Inter Comic
Serialized in	Asuka Newtype USA
Original run	May 5, 2006 - Present – N/A
No. of volumes	6 (Complete)

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (known in Japan as Shin Seiki Evangelion Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2nd 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン鋼鉄のガールフレンド2nd) is a manga by Fumino Hayashi and is printed monthly in the Japanese manga magazine, Monthly Asuka. The series is loosely based on the dream sequence portrayed in the final episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion, which featured the show's cast in a lighter high school romantic comedy setting (as compared to the dark, psychological and apocalyptic themes of Evangelion canon). Angelic Days appears in chapter installments in ADV Films' monthly magazine, Newtype USA. The Japanese title Koutetsu no Girlfriend 2 comes from the name of the video game the manga is based on, Girlfriend of Steel 2.

[edit] Differences between the original anime/manga, and Angelic Days

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

With the drastic change in setting and tone, many of the characters have undergone changes that match their demeanors and relationships depicted in the dream sequence of episode 26 - to the extent that the original story would become nonsensical if they were canon. Some examples of these changes include:

Shinji and Asuka's relationship. The two characters, who were often at odds with each other for various reasons in Evangelion, are depicted as having been friends since early childhood. In the manga, Shinji and Asuka first met when they were both 4.
Yui Ikari, Shinji's mother, is still alive and working at NERV along with her husband Gendo and Asuka's parents.
Misato Katsuragi is the homeroom teacher for Shinji and Asuka's class.
Ritsuko Akagi is the school nurse.
Both Ritsuko and Misato still have some connection with NERV (like canon, Ritsuko seems to be the head medical and science officer, while Misato is Chief of Operations).
Rei Ayanami is an excitable extrovert, the polar opposite of her original persona. However, she is socially inept and is clueless on how to perform simple tasks such as cracking an egg open.
As in the anime, Kaworu Nagisa has a mysterious past that NERV officials work to uncover. However, despite the lack of official records, Shinji remarks that he and Kaworu have been friends for about a decade, or as long as he has known Asuka. In particular, Kaworu and Shinji often perform music together (Shinji on cello, with Kaworu on violin). Also, Kaworu has what is termed an unusual "fondness" for Shinji, and sometimes appears to be part of the "love triangle" around him.
When NERV begins the selection process to choose who will pilot the Evangelion units, Kensuke is chosen as a candidate along with Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Kaworu, and Toji.

The Evangelions make up little of the story. They first appear near the end of the second volume where Shinji and Rei battle Sachiel. As expected of a story about romance, the overtones of the battle lie with the relationships between characters, instead of the darker, more selfish and pathological reasons the characters have in the anime.

Further differentiating the manga from the original series, Shinji's story ends with volume four when Shinji eventually becomes Asuka's boyfriend, which seems to cause Kaworu's disappearance, both literally and from the characters' individual memories. This storyline ends with the characters meeting for a reunion several years later, and all of them show physical (as well as emotional) growth.

Volume five begins chronicling Gendo's life as a junior high student along with a young Yui.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Release

The first paperback volume was released in the United States on May 5, 2006. The second volume was released on July 26th, 2006, the third was released on November 25th, 2006, and the fourth volume was released on March 5, 2007. Further U.S. release dates are yet to be determined, however dates have been spotted at Amazon.com[1]. It has not been made clear if these are real dates for the next two volumes.

[edit] Bibliography

Hayashi, Fumino (2006). Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days (paperback manga), Gainax, 1st ADV Manga ed. (in English), Houston, Texas; London, England: ADV. ISBN: 1413903509 (pbk.); 1413903487 (pbk.); 1413903444 (pbk.); Other: 9781413903508; 9781413903485; 9781413903447; National Library: 013517704; 013470359; 013437849. Retrieved on 17 December 2006.

First cover of Angelic Days, volume 2.

Hayashi, Fumino (2006). Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days Vol.2 (paperback manga), Gainax, 1st ADV Manga ed. (in English), Houston, Texas; London, England: ADV, 175. ISBN: 1-413-90348-7. Retrieved on 17 December 2006.

First cover of Angelic Days, volume 3.

First cover of Angelic Days, volume 4.

Hayashi, Fumino (2006). Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days Vol.3 (paperback manga), Gainax, 1st ADV Manga ed. (in English), Houston, Texas; London, England: ADV, 165. ISBN: 1-413-90350-9 (paperback); ISBN: 9781413903508 (pbk.). Retrieved on 10 January 2006.
Hayashi, Fumino (2007). Neon Genesis Evangelion (Vol. 4) (paperback manga), Gainax, 1st ADV Manga ed. (in English), Houston, Texas; London, England: ADV, 165. ISBN: 9781413903553 (pbk.); 141390355X (pbk.); National Library: 013629711. Retrieved on 10 January 2006.

v • d • e Neon Genesis Evangelion
Creators:	Hideaki Anno • Yoshiyuki Sadamoto • Gainax
TV Series:	Neon Genesis Evangelion
Films:	Death and Rebirth • The End of Evangelion • Revival of Evangelion • Rebuild of Evangelion • Untitled Evangelion live action movie
Characters:	Asuka • Gendo • Kaworu • Misato • Rei • Ritsuko • Kaji • Shinji • Toji • Yui
Glossary:	Eva Units • Angels • Human Instrumentality Project • Timeline
Video Games:	Ayanami Raising Project • Girlfriend of Steel • Girlfriend of Steel 2 • Evangelion 64 • Shinji Ikari Raising Project • Shinji and Good Friends • Neon Genesis Evangelion 2
Misc:	List of media and episodes • "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" • "Komm, süsser Tod" • Angelic Days manga • Red Cross Book • ReDeath • Topics