Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum 03 (ep.11-14)

This is the third DVD in the Platinum Series and it offers all the things we've grown to be used to from the previous 2 releases. One thing which is immediatly noticable is that this DVD doesn't contain 5 but 4 episodes (11 to 14). Whats also different is that they started using the episode names which are displayed in the 2nd half of the episodes. The "original" name is still displayed first in the series and used in the ending trailers, but I guess they're using the official names on the DVD box and in the menu now. The episodes on this DVD are: "The day Tokyo-3 stood still" (former name / also known as: "In the still darkness"), "She said: Don't make others suffer for your personal hatred" (aka "The value of a miracle is..."), "Lilliputian Hitcher" (aka "Angel invasion") and "Weaving a story" (aka "Seele, throne of souls"). So don't let the names fool you if they sound unfamiliar ;-)

Before I continue with the extra contents let me first do a quick re-run for readers who are not yet familiar with this release: The Platinum series is a re-release of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime serie. It features enhanced picture quality (so that it will give out a very clear and sharp picture on (modern) installations) and its sound dubs have also been improved. You'll quickly discover (in comparison with the original release) that some of the enhancements really add up to the experience. Like, for example, the sound which fades to the right when a talking person walks out of the screen to the right side. The sound dubs (both English and Japanese) should be in 5.1 surround but I can't verify that since I still use stereo. Perhaps its good to know that even on stereo the new dubs sound very nice in the overall.

Rounding up the re-run: they have also added some new material to the serie in some episodes but on this DVD it is only clearly noticable in the "preview" section at the end of an episode (which is simply different from the original). Most extra's in the serie are very hard to spot (so I may be offtrack here) but this DVD has no extra scenes (note that I'm considering 2 - 3 seconds of new material an extra scene as well) in comparison with the original release. Because Amazon has caught up with the pictures I'll skip that description. Just keep in mind that you're seeing the picture of the silver "slip over" box which contains the real DVD box. Don't let the sharp picture on this site fool you; the original is a little more vague due to light transperancy. The DVD box itself features the same picture more clearly but partly since it also has a title printed on it. The back sums up the several episodes with the original airdate and the names written out in Kanjii.

So on with the extra's... The first (usual) extra is the 12 page booklet, excellent material. It features some very nice pictures (some scenes from the series on the DVD), a short story about the new 5.1 sound dub, a quick commentary on the episodes (quick storyline) and ofcourse a description of the 3 Angels which are encountered on this DVD. Rounding up is a nice (short / 1 page) description of Evangelion Unit 1 (Shinji's unit). Note that it may be wise to keep the booklet outside the DVD case. I noticed that it fits, but that about says it all.

Onto the extras on the disc: First it has the clear opening & ending, like all of them do. And I discovered the first little goof-up in the series so far... It almost seems as if Amazon made a deliberate one in their editorial description as well (sorry guys but Shinji doesn't get praised in the episode with the "Spidery angel" (Episode 11) but in the one after it (Episode 12). Don't let the original series fool you ;-)). This DVD features 2 audio commentary tracks: Tiffany Grant (English voice actress for Asuka) is back again and gives us some comments during episode 11 ("The day Tokyo-3 stood still") and the pair of Matt Greenfield (ADR director) and Wade Shemwell (The 5.1 sound supervisor for the English track) give their comments during episode 13 ("Lilliputian hitcher"). What the menu and booklets and such don't tell you is that Tiffany brought along her husband as well. But thats all I'm telling about the commentary in order not to spoil anything for "non die-hard fans" and others for which this may still come as a surprise.

Last but certainly not least they have a video about the English remix process. In here both Matt Greenfield and Wade Shemwell give some insight information about the (re)creation / remastering of the English sound dubs.

All in all very interesting but I didn't consider it as exciting as the extra's on the previous disc, hence my comment about it being slightly dull. Please keep in mind that I don't like audio commentaries very much, so while I might consider things a bit dull others maybe very excited about them. Apart from that I have to admit that Tiffany's commentaries are very interesting and amusing to listen to. I'd like to advice all others who feel like me about commentaries in the overall to give the ones with Tiffany in it a fair chance; you may be very amused and surprised.

Well, that about rounds it up. Is it worth it? I think it is, both for fans (this is a very informative release) and new comers (the extra episode in comparison with the original release and the enhancements makes it worth the money IMO).

One last personal comment though: I'm very curious as to what artwork will be used on the rest of the DVD boxes. So far we've seen Shinji, Rei and Asuka. If you'll skim Amazon you'll notice that Misato will be on the next release. All of these characters are also displayed on the big "silver colored" box which was optional with the first DVD (to house all 7 releases). The pictures of Asuka and Misato are printed on the box just as you see them on the DVD boxes. Shinji and Rei are featured as a pair on the back (from the 1st episode where Shinji holds Rei in his arms) so one can only wonder if the rest of the prints will be used as well... One way to find out :-)

This third DVD in the Platinum Collection marks the halfway point in the original 26-episode series; as well as being the point from which it inexorably veers away from its apparent inception as "just another" Giant Robot Show with an inevetable monster-of-the-week format. The recap episode 14, Weaving a Story, both brings to an end the first half of the series, while effectively foreshadowing what will come in the second half. The trio of Eva pilots each experience additional character development in these four episodes: Askua, though still brash and demanding attention, tones down a little and learns better to perform as a member of a team; Rei emerges a bit from her shell, showing good sense and a touch of decisiveness while nonetheless questioning her real purpose; and Shinji comes as close as he ever will to finding the approval which is really what drives him on.

But it is probably the characters supporting the pilots who recieve the best expansion here: Misato's background is particularly revealing, both about herself as well as what motovates her ( wrongly, it turns out ) to seek vengence on the Angels; Ritsuko becomes important to the story for the first time as the genius technician behind the MAGI super-computers so necessary to NERV operations; and we see a bit more of the past between Misato and Kaji while the two are unavoidably stuck on an elevator during a major power failure. The three will be a trio to watch in the future, as their entwined story continues to unfold.

The sound and audio remastering continues to make the Platinum Collection the definitive edition of this truly landmark anime series. Highly recommended to any real anime student/fan/otaku!

You know you love it. Third in the series; just as good as the rest. But may i suggest you purchase this one with number four. The last episode on number three ends in a cliff hanger; quite annoying if you don't have the next episode sitting there to watch right away. Otherwise everything you have come to expect from the series. Enjoy!

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