Misato's Fan Service Center: Book 2, Issue 1

As the guy said the Fukuhara in Otaku no Video, “You mean a trendy girl like you came up with a design like this?” Yes, the brilliant Katy Isaacs of CALTECH (as the sign on the Hollywood Hills once read briefly) is the winner of the contest to the name the Neon Genesis Evangelion letter column. A number is people suggested letter column titles that were more on the serious tip, but I couldn't resist “Misato's Fan Service Center” because 1.) each episode of the Eva anime ends with Misato's voice doing the trailer, often promising “fan service,” so why not conclude each episode of the manga the same way? 2.) this is where I attempt to provide service to the fans—if not fan service –by answering questions , and 3.) as David Letterman once said, “When I was chosen at random from the Indianapolis phone book to host this show, I knew what the American people wanted—cheap laughs and plenty of them.” Congratulations, Ms. Isaacs! You win a subscription to Neon Genesis Evangelion Special Collector's Edition Book Two.

By the way, Otaku no Video was Gainax's production previous to Evangelion, created in 1991. Between 1991 and the initial planning for Eva in 1994, the studio took a hiatus from original anime productions and developed their successful line of software. In addition, they worked on other companies' production, perhaps most notably on Giant Robo, for which Hideaki Anno did a spectacular turn as special effects director. Otaku no Video is sometimes called the “Spinal Tap of anime,” is a 100-minute, half anime, half live-action “documentary” about the otaku lifestyle and the rise, fall, and rise again of a company bearing a suspicious resemblance to Gainax itself. With character designs by Ken'ichi Sonoda (Gunsmith Cats—now available from Dark Horse Comics!). It's highly recommended. It's available subtitles from AnimEgo/New Market Sales (1-800-242-7961) and includes four pages of liner notes explaining the in-jokes.

Dear Carl,

I have to compliment Sadamoto-san on this marvelous manga! Yoko dekimashita! The art is gorgeous and the characters are perfectly in sync with the characterization going on in the anime. It certainly has me curious how closely Sadamoto-san will stay with the storyline of the anime, and how much creative license he will take. Already a few tidbits of information unavailable in the anime have been revealed, such as the fact that Shinji was left with his uncle when Commander Ikari abandoned him, or the exact nature of the fluid that fills the plugs. I'm hoping that the manga will clear up more mysteries in the future.

I also appreciate the long and thoughtful responses you are giving to the letters, Carl. I'm used to the mainstream comic format where they keep their comments short to print as many letters as possible.

With regards,

Jenni Bomford
Prince George, BC, CANADA

Thank you, Ms. Bomford. This is the first time I've ever edited a comic, and I still have a great deal to learn , such as how to avoid switching between “I” and the more evasive “we” in my responses. My own favorite letter column is the one Garth Ennis edits for his own comic, D.C.'s Preacher. (When will someone send in their “I was the biggest wanker in the world” story?) On the Ennis Eva tip though, I can say that the “Yebisu” that Misato knocks back is a real beer made by Sapporo, although I've only seen it here in Japanese groceries and then only in bottle. It's all right. I'm more of a fan of Suntory Whisky (“Very good, though I, a Scot, say it”—Ian Fleming. Thrilling Cities).

Evangelion is a series that encourages a great deal of drinking thinking from its fans. That is really the secret of its success; Sadamoto's faces are pretty (according to Misato, even Shinji's), but what lies behind them? The reference to Shinji having been left with his uncle (and aunt—Book Two will go into this further) is actually an instance in which the manga differs from the anime, in which Shinji speaks of having lived with one of his teachers. Since the Eva anime is finished, it's all Sadamoto's game now, and, as you said, it'll be interesting to see where he'll take it.

A fair amount of research goes into editing the Eva manga. Besides using such sources as Kadokawa's Newtype 100% Collection: Neon Genesis Evangelion and the Newtype Film Book series covering the TV show and movies, I've also sought help from American manga industry shooting star Mari Kamada of Digital Manga (www.emanga.com) , who has advised me on the rendering of Toji's accent. There is, of course, no such thing as an exact English “equivalent “ of his “Kan-saiiiiiii,”—or Japanese Osaka-speak, but it was an element of his character that I wanted to preserve in the manga, as it was left out of the English version of the anime. Some have suggested the Kansei-ben be rendered as an American Southern accent; Dan Kanemitsu, in his translation of Tony Takezaki's A.D. Police manga, even went for the Rasta sound! But for me, the tough guy, cash money-makin always ready to throw down characteristics of the stereotypical Osakan suggested Brooklyn. Why a character from Osaka, anyway? That's where Gainax is from originally and where its founders went to college together back in the early eighties. I am also indebted to one of the most serious, conscientious, and genuinely intellectual students of the series, Dave Fleming.

As for fan art, check out this bad-ass, kick-ass piece below from Rich Anderson, also of Indianapolis. Aw, man!—I wish I could reproduce this in color! Mr. Anderson put his drawing in a padded envelope “for safekeeping, since who knows who might decide that they like it and keep it...” Around here, ain't that the truth, baby. He continues, “Asuka told me to put a proper German shirt on her, so I obliged and her in KMFDM, instead of that U2 stuff (smile). Rei stated no preference, so I put her in PWEI gear.” (That would be The incredible PWEI (die Englanderbund Pop Will Eat Itself), whose “Can U Dig It?” is an otaku anthem, and whom I was introduced to by Dr. Kinski-Merkwverdigicheliebe, a.k.a. Jim “Unspoilt By Progress” McLennan, whose amazing anime fan music video set to Ministry's “Jesus Built My Hotrod” you may have seen.

Mr. Anderson, who looks like he's in some cool band or something , will be running the Con Suite at the upcoming Anime Central . Did you the aforementioned Ken'ichi Sonoda is their Japanese Guest of Honor? There's still time to make plans to attend! Anime Central is at the Holiday Inn O'Hare International Airport in Rosemont, Illinois, from April 3-5. Check out www.anime.net/~acen/ for more details. Mr. Anderson, right now I'm listening to “Them Bones” by Alice in Chains. If only every band could be Alice in Chains. That would be cool.

Carl Gustav Horn

Please note that due to space restrictions, there will be no letters column next issue, but, like James Bond, "Misato's Fan Service" will return in May.