RahXephon *LONG thought out series discussion and elsewise*

[Charles Phipps]

RahXephon being called an EVA clone is primarily because it uses a lot of the same elements….

* Mysticism
* Organic Mecha
* A seemingly devastated Earth
* A mysterious girl (not NEARLY as weird or caustic as Rei)
* A bratty roomate (not NEARLY as annoying as Asuka)
* An older military woman with feelings for the hero
* A anti-alien task force
* The end of the world

It’s also usually an insult by EVA fans and a rare few who consider it a compliment (like me)

The elements have so proliferated through anime though that its actually now questionable whether its just part of anime in general though rather than something EVA cloned. Maybe Japan has some weird issues with aliens and the Self-Defense Force (dating back all the way to at least Godzilla 1984)

However some areas of major difference that should be noted….

1. Ayato is about as far as Shinji you can get without becoming his polar opposite (Hero Yui or Sosuki)

Ayato Kamina has the distinction of probably being the most normal lead in these type of anime stories.

Shinji gets sympathy probably because he’s pitiful and also has healthy desires we can identify with, you hate his whininess and clearly fragile brain though.

Ayato, if he has an identification point, is the fact that he largely tries to deal with everything rationally save when things are totally freaking out…and even then he usually gets back his level head. Some terrible **** happens to Ayato but he manages to get over it and move on. His home life isn’t GOOD but its not abusive either and he doesn’t suffer from an abundance of guilt or blind devotion to battle either.

I identify with him too not out of pity but because he’s been taken from his life and clearly being manipulated (and he knows this) but just wants to get through it.

2. The Mecha Battles aren’t really the total focus of episodes

There are some pretty amazing action sequences in the stuff. The super-air fighters vs. the “Dollems” in the first episode is one of my favorite in any anime. However, the battles aren’t the show but are actually part of the character development.

3. The Art is TOTALLY different

Much more photo-like and each character is distinct though not PERFECT, the art is way heads up better.

4. The characters behavior are much more mature…and convoluted

Only one character is 14 and she acts like a schoolgirl while everyone else is 17 or in their twenties. They behave maturely and don’t throw any of the temper tantrums prone in Evangelion. The plotting is also a tad deeper even if it lacks the “oooo…mysticism…pretty” reaction of some of Eva’s eps.

The enemy of RahXephon is mostly human formed and thus doesn’t have the alieness (for better or worse) or incomprehensibility of the Angels….they instead simply use alien shaped mecha like the Earthlings do in the RahXephon.

[terran empire]

A recent addition to my manga collection is Rah Xephon the manga. The manga came after the anime and Tells the story ( with slight changes ) in a very different way. where The Anime went for a deep compelling story, the Manga is a comedy loaded with fan service ( constant blatant to the point where they are talking about it PANTY shoots ) and it's own take on the relation ships behind the story.

[Shewolf of Ga]

This may get me shot, but I actually much preferred RahXephon to NGE. NGE was just wierd, and Shinji is a whiny brat. And not a good-looking
one at that. Ayato is easy on the eyes.

[terran empire]

Dude If they shoot you they have to shoot me.

[PookaKitten]

Dude If they shoot you they have to shoot me.

And me three. When I was in college and the Anime Club watched RahXephon, I was pretty much the only one who liked it. Admittedly, I was the only one who couldn't stand most of Azumanga Daioh...

Samantha

[Shewolf of Ga]

I couldn't stand it either. Though I am a hopeless romantic, it has to be wrapped up in a rousing good action story to float my boat. Fumoffu is the only comedy series I've ever remotely liked. And that's just because the interaction between Sousuke and Kamane is priceless. My husband likes to make fun of me for enjoying G Gundam. He says it's the stupidist show he's ever seen. For me, it's so campy I can't help but like it. At least I'm not facing the firing squad alone.