Neon Genesis Evangelion (Netflix Version)

During my vacation time, I have been watching this classic anime series called Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix.  Neon Genesis Evangelion is set fifteen years after a worldwide apocalyptic event that erupted within the futuristic city of Tokyo-3.  The series is about a young boy named Shinji Ikari who was recruited by his father to the organization Nerv to pilot this giant bio-machine mecha known as the Evangelion.  He uses the Evangelion to defeat the alien beings called Angels that wreak havoc in the city.  As he continues fighting the Angels each episode, Shinji and the other Evangelion pilots.

Neon Genesis Evangelion was originally released in the US on October 4^th 1995 and aired on Cartoon Network (Toonami) as well as Adult Swim.  It was released on Netflix back in June 21^st.  Interestingly enough, there were some striking differences between the original version and Netflix release.  Some were minor while others changed the course of the story within the Netflix series.

Here are some of the notable changes within the Netflix release of Neon Genesis Evangelion:

#1: Ending Credit Song

Each episode of the original version concluded with a different version of Frank Sinatra’s classic lounge hit ‘Fly Me to the Moon’.  In the Netflix version, the covers are missing and replaced by a piano version of a different song.  This was due to one reason only – licensing fees.

#2: End Credit Song Within Series

Not only was ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ obsolete from the end of each episode, but it wasn’t present for many episodes of the show.  This shifts a difference in tone within some scenes, especially one involving a heartbreaking voicemail message.

#3: Voice Cast

The Netflix version also features a completely new dub by new actors.  While the new voice dub isn’t problematic for the story, the change still feels somewhat jarring throughout the show.  One silver lining is that Shinji Ikari was voiced by trans actress Casey Mongillo.

#4: Script Re-Write

It wasn’t just the voice-over dubs that changed with the Netflix version.  The script itself changed as well.  This new script seems more of the literal translation of the original Japanese writing.

#5: Gay Subtext

One random example of script re-writing involves one male character telling another that he is “worthy of love” and says, “I love you”.  Instead, the Netflix version has him saying, “You’re worthy of my grace” and, “I like you.”  It is both totally awkward and alters the meaning of the whole scene.

#6: Onscreen Text Translation

Within the Netflix version, almost none of the onscreen Japanese writing is translated into subtitles.  This leaves a major mystery for many people who don’t read Kanji.

#7: Cursing

Several lines within the Netflix version omit some of the heavy cursing from the original series.  A crucial line from the series conclusion was altered from “I’m so fucked up” to “I’m the lowest of the low”.  Another similar change was the line “So fucking what if I’m not into you?” changing to “Fine, so I’m a stranger.”

#8: More Script Changing

Even more script changes are found within the new Netflix series.  One other such surprising case was the line “All is right with the world” changing to “All is very good.”  Interestingly enough, the original line stems from a poem by Robert Browning that reads, “God’s in his heaven – All’s right with the world!”  What’s even more odd is that the poem is present elsewhere within the show.

#9: NERV

For some strange reason, the Netflix dubbed actors can’t seem to agree on how to pronounce the word “Nerv.”  The dubbed version has the characters saying “Nerv” or Nairv”.  This piece of dialogue changes from time to time within each episode.