Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Edition Vol. 2 1994 - 1995 ADV Films Official Japanese Website Buy It Now

Here comes the second collection of Neon Genesis Evangelion episodes being released under the heading of Platinum Edition, and let me tell you now that you are going to want these discs all the more after reading what I have to say here!  As a refresher, I am utilizing these reviews in a slightly different manner for these Platinum releases because we here at Underland Online have covered the series itself more than enough for you to know that Evangelion is a masterpiece of anime.  What I will be doing here in these reviews is spending some time upon each discs release to tell you a little more about what makes these things "platinum"; a bit each time about the improvements made upon audio, video, translation and everything else that could be tidied up.

Also, as you will have noticed by now I am sure, the episode structure with these releases is a bit different.  ADV has decided to give you more episodes per disc, thus making it a whole lot easier for you to justify the fact that you probably already own a copy (or two) of this series from previous releases.  Coincidentally enough, this release structure actually works out a little better for the whole series; really dividing things up into cohesive units.  If Disc One had a theme, it would be "Shinji" for its introduction to this character as well as early development of his personality and the acquaintances he makes.  Disc Two could just as easily be themed as "Rei" as the episodes contained on this disc deal with the revelations of her past as well as touching upon some of the early looks into her motivations.  Platinum Edition Disc Three will be dominated by the fiery redhead, Asuka, but until then, let's take a look into what else we can find in this Platinum collection.

When ADV first released Evangelion to video and DVD, the picture came from the same source that was used when the show aired on Japanese television.  In other words, this was not the original print, and it was an older print at that.  Due to variances in the broadcast formats and differences in the editing methods, there were  splices in the original material which had to be mended for a U.S. release.  These splices left small jumps in the picture when they were send through the copying machine.  The result was a less than full quality print, which had visible defects in the smoothness of the image.

Combine this with the fact that the older format video encoding methods were not nearly as precise as they are now, and you got colors that would bleed causing a blurry and non-consistent image.  None of this was able to be helped as technology was simply not at a state where these problems could be avoided, but things have come a long way now...lucky for us!  

The Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Editions have been remastered from the original print of the show; not a copy from television ready materials.  This fact alone made things enormously superior, but there is more as well.  Gone are the skips and jumps as well as the color bleeds, due to the far superior technologies of today's encoding enhancements.  What you see on screen is Evangelion looking as good as it has ever looked...and then some!  

Extras on this disc include full length animatics for Episode 9 ("With One Accord In A Flash"), cast commentaries, clean opening and closing animations and of course a collection of previews for other ADV releases. Colors are brilliant, the action stays crisp and finally the picture can match the sharp intensity of the action onscreen.  Wow, remastered audio (as discussed in the review for Disc One) and remastered video...what more could a fan possibly want!?  Stay tuned to Underland Online for the upcoming review of Disc Three and you will find out, because you haven't heard the whole of it...

Episode 6 – Showdown in Tokyo 3

Shinji has been injured in his brief encounter with Ramiel, and now the Angel is poised at infiltrating NERV headquarters. Since a face-to-face assault seems to be out of the question, Misato devises a new plan to take out the Angel. Rei and Shinji are sent out with the EVA units to attempt a sniper attack on the Angel, which is getting closer to the heart of NERV.

Episode 7 – The Human Creation

Convinced that NERV spending is far too high and there are other methods of dealing with the Angels, a new mecha is designed in the hopes that it will be the newest counter measure. However, it becomes berserk during its initial test and there’s only one chance to stop it. Misato calls in Shinji and the EVA unit and using him as a means of slowing it, she enters the hulking mass in an effort to stop it before it reaches critical mass.

Episode 8 – Asuka Strikes

A simple visit to a naval fleet may be more than Misato, Shinji, and his friends are ready for. Misato runs into an old flame who really gets under her skin, but that will soon be forgotten when the sixth Angel Gaghiel appears and threatens to destroy the entire fleet. Fortunately however, Asuka, another NERV member and the second child, is on hand with her EVA unit to put an end to the Angel. Asuka however is much more brazen than Shinji had anticipated, and once he thinks he’s safely away, he discovers he’ll soon be seeing much more of her.

Episode 9 - With One Accord In A Flash

Shinji may have thought that the Angels were a problem, but it seems that things are getting worse when a new “enemy” comes to Japan. Asuka! To add to his troubles, the Seventh Angel, Israfel, attacks Tokyo 3 and Misato teams the two rival pilots together, but they immediately meet with defeat. Misato decides that the solution is to make the two work together as a team and choreograph their attacks, and the way to accomplish this? Asuka moves in, making Shinji have to deal with the over bearing girl even more.

Episode 10 – Magma Diver

The Eight Angel, Sandalphon, is found deep in the volcanic center of Mount Asama, and NERV immediately dispatches the EVA units to capture the Angel before it can mature. Now the problem is overcoming the intense pressure and heat of the volcanic pit, and they quickly develop a suit for the Eva to as a counter-measure. The mission quickly turns sour however, as the incubating Angel hatches and mounts an attack against Asuka, who is alone in the molten core. Will she alone be enough to overcome the odds?

-aaron-